Endoscope lens washing and lavaging system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides fluid supply devices, systems, and methods for endoscopes. The inflatable gas chamber compresses the physiological saline chamber so that pressurized physiological saline can be supplied to both the lens irrigation line and the lavage line. As the normal saline chamber is emptied and volume decreases, the gas chamber receives more gas and increases volume to maintain fluid pressure.

Description

Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 517,533, filed August 3, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to valve assemblies and methods, and more particularly to liquid supply in endoscopic medical procedures. BACKGROUND

[0003] A variety of intracorporeal medical devices and systems have been developed for medical purposes, such as endoscopy. Some of these devices and systems include guide wires, catheters, catheter systems, endoscopy instruments, and the like. These devices and systems are manufactured by any of a variety of different manufacturing methods and can be used in accordance with any of a variety of methods. In known medical devices, systems and methods, each has certain advantages and disadvantages. There is a continuing need for alternative medical devices and systems and alternative methods for manufacturing and using medical devices and systems. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides alternatives for design, materials, manufacturing methods, and use of medical devices and medical systems. In a first example, a multi-lumen fluid container for a medical device can include a fluid chamber in fluid communication with a first fluid outlet and a second fluid outlet, and a gas chamber in mechanical contact with the fluid chamber, the gas chamber receiving gas to apply pressure to the fluid chamber to maintain fluid pressure within the fluid chamber.

[0005] Alternatively or on the basis of any of the above examples, the fluid chamber can be a bag comprising a flexible material such that the bag volume decreases as fluid is expelled from the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet.

[0006] Alternatively or on the basis of any of the above examples, the gas chamber can be a bag comprising a flexible material such that the bag volume increases as the gas chamber receives gas to apply pressure to the fluid chamber.

[0007] Alternatively or on the basis of any of the above examples, the gas chamber can further comprise a pole hanger adapted to hang the container on a conventional pole for intravenous infusion bags.

[0008] Alternatively or on the basis of any of the above examples, the gas chamber can be in fluid communication with a gas cylinder.

[0009] Alternatively or on the basis of any of the above examples, the fluid container can further include a rigid body containing the fluid chamber and the gas chamber, the rigid body defining a volume that does not expand or contract in response to fluid flowing into or out of the chambers.

[0010] Alternatively or on the basis of any of the above examples, the rigid body can include an openable portion for replacing the saline chamber.

[0011] Alternatively or on the basis of any of the above examples, the fluid container can further include a saline source in fluid communication with the saline chamber.

[0012] Alternatively or on the basis of any of the above examples, the saline source can be an intravenous saline supply bag configured to supply saline drip fluid to the saline chamber.

[0013] Alternatively or on the basis of any of the above examples, the fluid container can further include an air pump in fluid communication with the gas chamber.

[0014] Alternatively or on the basis of any of the above examples, the air pump can be a user-actuated bellows pump.

[0015] Alternatively or on the basis of any of the above examples, the user-actuated bellows pump can have a greater air capacity than the gas chamber.

[0016] Alternatively or on the basis of any of the above examples, the fluid chamber can contain saline.

[0017] In another example, an endoscopic surgical device includes an endoscopic probe having a lens irrigation feed line and an irrigation feed line, and a fluid container according to any of the above examples, wherein the first fluid outlet supplies fluid to the lens irrigation feed line and the second fluid outlet supplies fluid to the irrigation feed line.

[0018] Alternatively or on the basis of any of the above examples, the device can further include first and second valves, the first valve actuated by a user to open the lens irrigation feed line, and the second valve actuated by a user to open the irrigation feed line.

[0019] These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description, in which the scope of the claimed application is set forth in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various implementations and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the components of an exemplary endoscope;

[0022] Figure 2 depicts a schematic diagram of the components of an exemplary endoscope system;

[0023] Figure 3 depicts a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary multi-chamber bag;

[0024] Figure 4 depicts a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary multi-chamber bag;

[0025] Figure 4A depicts a cross-sectional side view of the bag body along section line AA in Figure 4;

[0026] Figure 5 depicts a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary multi-cavity container with a rigid body;

[0027] Figure 6 depicts a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary multi-cavity container with a rigid body;

[0028] Figure 7 depicts a schematic side view of an exemplary system.

[0029] While this disclosure is open to various modifications and alternatives, its specific details have been illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail. However, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments described. Rather, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0030] This disclosure is now described with reference to exemplary medical systems that can be used in endoscopic medical procedures. However, it should be noted that reference to this particular procedure is for convenience only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the basic concepts of the disclosed apparatus and related methods of use can be applied to any suitable procedure, whether medical or otherwise. This disclosure will be understood in conjunction with the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are referred to by like reference numerals.

[0031] All numerical values ​​herein are assumed to be modified by the term “about”, whether explicitly stated or not. In a numerical context, the term “about” generally refers to a range of numerical values ​​that a person skilled in the art would consider equivalent to (e.g., having the same function or result) the referenced value. In many cases, the term “about” may include numerical values ​​rounded to the nearest significant figure. Other uses of the term “about” (e.g., in non-numerical contexts) may have their ordinary and conventional definitions, as understood and consistent with the context of the specification, unless otherwise stated.

[0032] Numerical ranges expressed in terms of endpoints include all values ​​within that range, including the endpoints (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5). Although some suitable dimensions, ranges, and / or values ​​related to various components, features, and / or specifications are disclosed, those skilled in the art will understand, inspired by this disclosure, that desired dimensions, ranges, and / or values ​​may deviate from those explicitly disclosed.

[0033] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless expressly specified otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally used to mean “and / or” unless expressly specified otherwise. It should be noted that, for ease of understanding, certain features of this disclosure may be described in the singular, even if such features may be plural or repeated in the disclosed embodiments. Each instance of a feature may include and / or be covered by the singular disclosure unless expressly stated otherwise. For brevity and clarity, not all elements of this disclosure need to be shown in every drawing or discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the following discussion is equally applicable to any and / or all components present in multiples unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, for clarity, not all instances of certain elements or features may be shown in every drawing.

[0034] It should be noted that references to "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," etc., in the specification indicate that the described embodiments may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment must include that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an embodiment, those skilled in the art will understand that, whether explicitly described or not, that specific feature, structure, or characteristic can be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, unless explicitly stated to the contrary. That is, the various individual elements described below, even if no specific combination is explicitly shown, are contemplated to be combined or arranged to form other additional embodiments or to supplement and / or enrich the described embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0035] For clarity, certain identifying numerical designations (e.g., first, second, third, fourth, etc.) may be used throughout the description and / or claims to name and / or distinguish various described and / or claimed features. It should be understood that the numerical designations are not intended to be limiting, but are merely illustrative. In some embodiments, for the sake of brevity and clarity, the previously used numerical designations may be modified and deviated from. That is, a feature identified as a “first” element may later be referred to as a “second” element, a “third” element, etc., or may be omitted entirely, and / or a different feature may be referred to as a “first” element. The meaning and / or designation in each instance will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0036] The detailed description is intended to illustrate and not limit this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various elements described can be arranged in various combinations and configurations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The detailed description illustrates exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

[0037] Referring to Figure 1, an exemplary endoscope 100 is depicted, and Figure 2 depicts an exemplary endoscope system 200. The endoscope 100 may include an elongated tube or shaft 100a configured for insertion into a subject (e.g., a patient).

[0038] The light source 205 of the endoscope system 200 can provide illumination to the distal portion 100b of the endoscope 100. The distal portion 100b of the endoscope 100 can house an imager (e.g., a CCD or CMOS imager) (not shown). The light source 205 (e.g., a lamp) can be located in a video processing unit 210, which processes the input signal from the imager and outputs the processed video signal to a video monitor (not shown) for viewing. The video processing unit 210 can also be used as a component of an air / water feed circuit by housing a pressurization pump 215 (e.g., an air feed pump) within the unit 210.

[0039] The endoscope axis 100a may include a distal tip 100c (e.g., a distal tip unit) disposed at a distal portion 100b of the axis 100a and a flexible bend 105 located proximal to the distal tip 100c. The flexible bend 105 may include an articulated joint (not shown) to assist in manipulating the distal tip 100c. A gas / lens flushing nozzle 220 is provided on the end face 100d of the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100 for supplying gas to expand the treatment area within the patient and supplying water to flush the lens covering the imager. An irrigation opening 225 in the end face 100d supplies irrigation fluid to the patient's treatment area. The end face 100d may also include an illumination window (not shown) for transmitting illumination light to the treatment area, and an opening 230 leading to a working channel 235 extending along the axis 100a for passing tools to the treatment area. The working channel 235 may extend along axis 100a to a proximal channel opening 110 located distal to the operating handle 115 (e.g., the proximal handle) of the endoscope 100. A biopsy valve 120 may be used to seal the channel opening 110 to prevent unwanted fluid leakage.

[0040] The operating handle 115 may be equipped with a knob 125 for providing remote four-way control of the distal tip via a wire connected to a joint in the flexible bending portion 105 (e.g., one knob controls up and down movement, and another knob controls left and right movement). Multiple video switches 130 for remotely operating the video processing unit 210 may be arranged on the proximal side of the handle 115.

[0041] The handle 115 may be provided with a dual-valve section 135. One of the valve sections 135 may receive a gas / water valve 140 for operating the expansion gas and lens water feed operations. A gas supply line 240a and a lens rinsing supply line 245a extend distally from the gas / water valve 140 along the axis 100a and converge at the distal tip 100c near the gas / rinsing nozzle 220 (FIG. 2).

[0042] Another valve portion 135 may receive a suction valve 145 for operating a suction operation. A suction supply line 250a may extend distally from the suction valve 145 along axis 100a to a junction in fluid communication with the working channel 235 of the endoscope 100.

[0043] The operating handle 115 is electrically and fluidly connected to the video processing unit 210 via a flexible connecting cable (flexible umbilical cable) 260 extending therebetween and a connector portion 265. The flexible connecting cable 260 includes a gas (e.g., air or carbon dioxide) feed line 240b, a lens flushing feed line 245b, a suction feed line 250b, a irrigation feed line 255b, a light guide (not shown), and an electrical signal cable (not shown). When the video processing unit 210 is inserted, the connector portion 265 connects the light source 205 in the video processing unit to the light guide. The light guide extends along the length of the connecting cable 260 and the endoscope axis 100a to deliver light to the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100. When the video processing unit 210 is inserted, the connector portion 265 also connects an air pump 215 to the gas feed line 240b in the connecting cable 260.

[0044] The water reservoir is fluidly connected to the endoscope 100 via connector portion 265 and connecting line 260. A gas feed line 240b from connecting line 260 branches in connector portion 265 to fluidly communicate with a section of gas supply line 240c and an air pump 215 at a detachable gas / lens rinsing connector 290. A section of lens rinsing line 245c extends to the same detachable connector 290 as the gas supply line 240c on connector portion 265. In other embodiments, the connectors may be separate and / or detachable from each other. Connector portion 265 may also have a detachable rinsing connector 293 for the rinsing supply line extending from the rinsing water source to the rinsing feed line 255b in connecting line 260. The connector portion 265 may also include a detachable suction connector 295 for suction feed line 250b, and a suction supply line 250a that fluidly connects a vacuum source (e.g., a hospital central suction system) (not shown) to the connector 260 and endoscope 100.

[0045] The gas feed line 240b and lens flushing feed line 245b are fluidly connected to the valve portion 135 of the gas / water valve 140 and are configured such that operation of the gas / water valve controls the supply of gas or lens flushing to the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100. The suction feed line 250b is fluidly connected to the valve portion 135 of the suction valve 145 and is configured such that operation of the suction valve 145 controls suction applied to the working channel 235 of the endoscope 100.

[0046] Both the lens flushing feed line and the irrigation feed line can be supplied by the multi-chamber bag 300 shown in Figure 3. A sealed saline sac 302 serves as the water source for both feed lines. Saline outlet tubes 304a and 304b are attached to the saline sac 302 and can be secured via a known fluid interface or integrally formed with the sac 302. The saline outlet tube 304a connects to the lens flushing feed line 245b via any known tubing interface (not shown), which may also include a check valve or other mechanism to ensure that fluid from the feed line 245b does not flow back into the saline sac 302. Since the shape and configuration of the multi-chamber bag 300 can resemble an intravenous (IV) supply bag (infusion bag), IV access spikes or other compatible connectors can be used.

[0047] Similarly, the saline outlet pipe 304b is connected to and supplies fluid to the irrigation feed line 255b, which may also include one or more fittings to ensure unidirectional feeding.

[0048] A pressurized gas bladder 306 compresses the saline bladder 302 to maintain the pressure required for lens rinsing and irrigation. A gas inlet tube 308 supplies additional gas to the gas bladder 306 as needed to maintain pressure on the saline bladder 302. Any gas source can be connected to the gas inlet tube 308, such as a pressurized carbon dioxide cylinder or an indoor air pump. In some embodiments, a replaceable tubing interface may be included for quick replacement of the multi-chamber bag 300 as needed.

[0049] The multi-chamber bag 300 may include an infusion rod holder 310, which is suitable for suspension on a conventional rod for IV supply bags, a wall hook, or a fixation device provided together with other components of the endoscopy system.

[0050] Figures 4 and 4A illustrate an alternative embodiment of the multi-chamber bag 400, wherein the saline bag 402 is surrounded on all sides by gas chambers 406. Although shown as rotationally symmetrical, in some embodiments of the multi-chamber bag 400, some portions of the gas chambers 406 may be thicker than others. The multi-chamber bag is connected as described above to the gas inlet tube 408, the lens flushing outlet tube 404a, and the irrigation outlet tube 404b, and the pole mount 410 allows the chambers to be suspended on any suitable fixture.

[0051] Figure 5 illustrates a multi-chamber container 500 in which a saline bladder 502 and a gas bladder 506 are surrounded by a rigid body 510. The body 510 can be any suitable material, such as hard plastic or metal. Pressurized saline solution is delivered from the saline bladder 502 to each of the lens rinsing outlet tube 504a and the irrigation feed line 504b, while gas is supplied to the gas bladder 504 via the gas feed line 508, ensuring sufficient pressure is applied to the saline bladder 502. In some embodiments, the shape of the gas bladder 504 may be selected based on the size and shape of the rigid body 510 in which it will be disposed.

[0052] In some embodiments, the multi-chamber container 500 may be for single use and discarded when the saline balloon 502 is emptied or a specific procedure is completed. The rigid body 510 may then be permanently secured or sealed, packaged, and transported while still containing a saline supply.

[0053] In other embodiments, the multi-chamber container 500 may be designed for reuse, for example, when the rigid body 502 is made of a more durable material, such as metal. Figure 6 shows a multi-chamber container 500a having all the components described above with respect to the multi-chamber container 500, but the top portion 512 of the rigid body 510 is openable for replacing the saline capsule 502 therein. The gas capsule 504 may also be removable, or the gas capsule 504 may be permanently or semi-permanently attached to the rigid body 510 and need not be replaced when replacing the saline capsule 502.

[0054] Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment using a drip chamber coupled with a user-actuated pump. The drip chamber 700 includes a saline chamber 702 supplied by a saline source 704. The saline source 704 may be a conventional IV saline bag and can be supplied to the saline chamber 702 via an IV puncture device and a conventional IV drip tube.

[0055] A foot-operated bellows pump 706 forces air into a gas chamber 708, which then forces pressurized saline solution out of a saline chamber 702 via an outlet 710. As described above, the outlet 710 may include tubing for both the lens flushing feed line and the irrigation feed line. When the pump 706 is released, air is forced back from the gas chamber 708. This may be due to the elastic material of the chamber 708, a spring mechanism included in the device, or the suction force from when the pump 706 is opened.

[0056] In some embodiments, pump 706 may be configured to move a volume of air larger than that of chamber 700 in a single actuation, so as to force all or substantially all of the saline solution out of infusion chamber 700 with each actuation of pump 706. According to this mechanism, check valves may be provided in the gas inlet pipe 712 between pump 706 and gas chamber 708, in the saline inlet pipe 714 between saline source 704 and saline chamber 702, and in each pipe within outlet 710. Each time used, saline solution from source 702 refills saline chamber 704.

[0057] It should be understood that this disclosure is illustrative in many respects only. Changes in detail may be made, particularly in terms of shape, size, and arrangement of steps, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This may include, to appropriate extent, using any feature of one exemplary embodiment in other embodiments. Of course, the scope of the invention is defined by the language expressed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-chamber fluid container for a medical device, comprising: A fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet; as well as A gas chamber in mechanical contact with the fluid chamber receives gas to apply pressure to the fluid chamber, thereby maintaining the fluid pressure within the fluid chamber.

2. The fluid container according to claim 1, wherein, The fluid chamber is a bag containing flexible material, such that the volume of the bag decreases when fluid flows out from the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet.

3. The fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, The gas chamber is a bag containing a flexible material, such that when the gas chamber receives gas to apply pressure to the fluid chamber, the volume of the bag increases.

4. The fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a pole mount adapted to suspend the container on a conventional pole for intravenous infusion bags.

5. The fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gas chamber is in fluid communication with the gas cylinder.

6. The fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a rigid body accommodating the fluid chamber and the gas chamber, the rigid body defining a volume that does not expand or contract as fluid flows into or out of the chamber.

7. The fluid container of claim 6, wherein the rigid body includes an openable portion for replacing the saline chamber.

8. The fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a saline source in fluid communication with the saline chamber.

9. The fluid container of claim 8, wherein the saline source is an intravenous saline supply bag configured to supply saline infusion solution to the saline chamber.

10. The fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an air pump in fluid communication with the gas chamber.

11. The fluid container of claim 10, wherein the air pump is a user-actuated bellows pump.

12. The fluid container of claim 11, wherein the user-actuated bellows pump has a larger air capacity than the gas chamber.

13. The fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the fluid chamber contains physiological saline.

14. An endoscopic surgical device, comprising: An endoscope probe with a lens washing feed line and a rinsing feed line; as well as The fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first fluid outlet supplies fluid to the lens flushing feed line, and the second fluid outlet supplies fluid to the irrigation feed line.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a first valve and a second valve, the first valve being actuated by a user to open the lens flushing feed line, and the second valve being actuated by a user to open the rinsing feed line.

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