Distal tips for medical devices and related methods
By using the rotating distal end design of the endoscope device, the problem of traditional endoscopes being difficult to locate and observe target areas in curved channels is solved, enabling observation and operation with a low-bend, non-recurving configuration, thus improving the efficiency and flexibility of medical operations.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-20
AI Technical Summary
In medical procedures, the distal end of the endoscope is difficult to locate and observe the target area effectively in the curved channel, especially when creating a tunnel between the mucosa and muscle layer of the gastrointestinal tract. The traditional back-bending operation increases the difficulty of the operation.
A rotating distal end of an endoscope device is designed, comprising a pivotable imaging device and a lifter, which can switch between forward and lateral configurations via the movement of a hinge or control line, enabling observation and operation in a low-bend, non-recurving configuration.
By rotating the distal end component, the operator can accurately observe and control the target area without needing to bend the shaft at a large angle, reducing the difficulty of operation and improving the efficiency and flexibility of medical procedures.
Smart Images
Figure CN121712437A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Cross Reference to Related Applications
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 515,940, filed July 27, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to distal tips of medical devices and related methods. In particular, aspects of the present disclosure relate to rotating distal tips of endoscopic devices, among other things. BACKGROUND
[0003] Endoscopic devices, such as duodenoscopes, endoscopes, or other endoscopic devices, can include a handle and a shaft that can be inserted into a body cavity of a subject. The shaft can terminate at a distal tip that can include features such as optical components (e.g., a camera, illumination devices), gas / liquid outlets, and working channel openings. A elevator can be disposed at the distal tip, and the elevator can be actuated to change the orientation of a medical device / tool passing through the working channel. For example, the elevator can be rotated or otherwise movable, while other components at the distal tip (e.g., optical components) can remain fixed.
[0004] During a medical procedure such as an endoscopic surgery, an operator can need to navigate a shaft of an endoscopic device through a curved passageway of a human body to reach and position a distal tip of the shaft at a target site, such as a target site within a gastrointestinal (GI) tract. For example, in a third space endoscopic surgery, an operator can create a tunnel between a mucosal layer and a muscular layer of a GI tract and navigate a shaft through the tunnel to reach a target site. To view the target site, the operator can need to curve the shaft back. Such a curved, back-curving configuration of the shaft can make it difficult for the operator to use a medical device or tool at the target site. Thus, there is a need for distal tips of medical devices and related methods. SUMMARY
[0005] Each aspect disclosed herein can include one or more features described in connection with any other disclosed aspect, including rotating distal tips of endoscopic devices.
[0006] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a medical device can include a shaft including a working channel and a distal tip. The distal tip can include an assembly including an imaging device and a elevator. The assembly can be movable from a lowered configuration to an angled configuration to move the imaging device and the elevator from the lowered configuration to the angled configuration.
[0007] According to some aspects, the assembly can be movable from a lowered configuration to an angled configuration by a hinge. In some embodiments, the assembly can be housed within a recess of the housing of the distal tip. In some embodiments, the elevator and the imaging device can be independently movable from the lowered configuration to the angled configuration. In some embodiments, the imaging device can be located on a first lateral side of the distal tip and the elevator can be located on a second lateral side of the distal tip. In some embodiments, in the lowered configuration, a bottom surface of the assembly can be in contact with an inner surface of the housing of the distal tip. In some embodiments, the assembly can be coupled to a control wire. In some embodiments, distal movement of the control wire can cause the assembly to move toward the inner surface of the housing and proximal movement of the control wire can cause the assembly to move away from the inner surface of the housing. In some embodiments, the elevator can be disposed on a first side of the assembly, the imaging device can be coupled to a second side of the assembly, the control wire can be coupled to a middle portion of the assembly, and the middle portion can be located between the first side and the second side. In some embodiments, in the angled configuration, a longitudinal axis of the assembly can form an included angle between 0° and 90° with a longitudinal axis of the shaft. In some embodiments, in the lowered configuration, the imaging device can be directed distally. In some embodiments, in the angled configuration, the imaging device can be directed at least partially radially outward. In some embodiments, the elevator can be located within a groove of the assembly. In some embodiments, when the assembly is in the angled configuration, the imaging device and the elevator can be angled toward substantially the same direction. In some embodiments, the assembly can further comprise one or more light sources and a flushing opening. In some embodiments, the one or more light sources and the flushing opening can be movable from the lowered configuration to the angled configuration.
[0008] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a medical device can comprise a shaft and a distal tip. The distal tip can comprise a housing and a body pivotably coupled to the housing. The body can comprise an imaging device and an elevator. Pivoting the body relative to the housing can cause a change in orientation of the elevator and the imaging device. In some embodiments, the body can further comprise a flushing opening and one or more light sources. In some embodiments, a control wire can be coupled to the body between the elevator and the imaging device. In some embodiments, movement of the control wire can be configured to pivot the body relative to the housing.
[0009] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a medical device can comprise a shaft and a distal tip. The distal tip can comprise a pivotable body having an elevator and an imaging device. A control wire can be coupled to the pivotable body between the elevator and the imaging device. In some embodiments, movement of the control wire can be configured to rotate the elevator and the imaging device about a hinge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various aspects of the present disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B Aspects of an exemplary medical device are shown in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 1C Aspects of an exemplary medical device are shown in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure, FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B An exemplary alternative distal tip of the medical device is shown.
[0013] FIGS. 2A-2C A distal end portion of an exemplary medical device is shown in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure, in a first configuration and in a second configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Conventionally, an operator can use different types of endoscopic instruments for different medical procedures. For example, an upper GI endoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) can be performed with a forward-viewing endoscope. The forward-viewing endoscope can include a forward-facing imaging device, a light source, a gas / liquid outlet, and / or a working channel opening at its distal tip (i.e., distally facing). Other procedures, such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (“ERCP”), can be performed with a side-viewing duodenoscope. The side-viewing duodenoscope can include a laterally-facing imaging device and / or a working channel opening at its distal tip (e.g., distally facing relative to a central longitudinal axis of a shaft of the duodenoscope).
[0015] A side-viewing medical device, such as a duodenoscope, can include an elevator. The elevator can be operatively connected to an actuator in a handle of the duodenoscope. When the operator triggers the actuator, the elevator can be raised / lowered while the imaging device remains laterally disposed. When the operator inserts an accessory device (e.g., an instrument or a guidewire) into a working channel of the medical device and advances the instrument through the working channel, the elevator can initially be in a lowered configuration. After the accessory device extends out of a distal opening of the working channel, the elevator can be raised to deflect a distal tip of the accessory device.
[0016] In some medical procedures, particularly those performed in the stomach, an endoscope (e.g., a forward-viewing endoscope) can be conventionally retroflexed to view a target anatomical structure (e.g., a portion near the gastric cardia, a fundus, or a proximal portion of the corpus) and position the anatomical structure using an accessory device. The endoscope in a tortuous, retroflexed configuration can increase the difficulty of performing the procedure.
[0017] The medical devices disclosed herein can include lifters, imaging devices, light sources, and / or gas / liquid outlets, among other components, that can be rotated or otherwise moved relative to the distal tip. For example, one or more of the components (e.g., the lifters, imaging devices, etc.) can be collectively rotatable, or otherwise collectively movable, and can also be individually rotatable, or otherwise individually movable. The rotatable or movable imaging devices can allow the distal tip of the medical device to be in a low-tortuosity, non- retroflexed configuration during a medical procedure. For example, the collectively rotatable or movable imaging devices and lifters can allow an operator to view a target site and control accessory devices at the target site without having to bend the shaft of the medical device at a large angle.
[0018] One or more components (e.g., imaging devices and light sources) of the medical devices disclosed herein can be moved between a forward configuration and a lateral configuration of the distal tip. Thus, the medical devices disclosed herein can allow a user to switch between a forward / endoscopic-like configuration and a lateral duodenoscopic-like configuration. The one or more components can also be set at an intermediate angle between the forward and lateral configurations.
[0019] FIG. 1A An exemplary medical device 110 is shown having a handle 112 and an insertion portion 114. FIG. 1B The proximal end of the handle 112 is shown. The medical device 110 can also include an umbilical tube 116 for connecting the medical device 110 to various supply sources, such as a gas source, a water source, a suction source, a power source, and the like, as well as to image processing and / or viewing equipment. Although duodenoscopes, endoscopes (and combined devices having both duodenoscope and endoscope functionality) are specifically mentioned herein, other types of devices are contemplated by the present disclosure, such as bronchoscopes, gastoscopes, endoscopic ultrasounds (EUS), colonoscopes, ureteroscopes, laparoscopes, cystoscopes, suction scopes, sheaths, catheters, or the like.
[0020] The insertion portion 114 can include a sheath or shaft 118 and a distal tip 120. The distal tip 120 can include an imaging device 122 (e.g., a camera) and a light source 124 (e.g., LEDs or optical fibers). In some embodiments, as shown, the distal tip 120 can be laterally disposed (i.e., laterally viewing). That is, the imaging device 122 and the light source 124 can be oriented radially outward, perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or otherwise transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 118 and the distal tip 120. FIG. 1A
[0021] The distal tip 120 can also include an elevator 126 for changing the orientation of an accessory device or tool inserted into the working channel of the medical device 110. The elevator 126 can also be referred to as a swingout bracket, a pivoting bracket, a lift base, or any other suitable name. The lift 126 can be rotated by, for example, a drive wire or other control member that extends from the handle 112, through the shaft 118, to the elevator 126.
[0022] The distal portion of the shaft 118 that is connected to the distal tip 120 can have a steerable segment 128. The steerable segment 128 can be, for example, a bend joint. The shaft 118 and the steerable segment 128 can include a variety of structures known in the art or that can arise in the future.
[0023] The handle 112 can have one or more actuators / control mechanisms 130. One or more of the control mechanisms 130 can exert control over the steerable segment 128. One or more control mechanisms can be used to provide air, water, suction, etc. functionality. For example, the handle 112 can include control knobs 132, 134 to effect left, right, up, and / or down direction control of the steerable segment 128. For example, one of the knobs 132, 134 can effect left and right direction control of the steerable segment 128, and the other can effect up and down direction control of the steerable segment 128. The handle 112 can further include a first locking mechanism 136 and a second locking mechanism 142 (e.g., knobs or levers) for preventing steering and / or braking of the steerable segment 128 in at least one of the up, down, left, and right directions. The handle 112 can include a control lever 138 (see FIG. 1B ) that can raise and / or lower the elevator 126 through its connection with an actuation wire that extends from the control lever 138, through the shaft 118, to the elevator 126. A port 140 can allow a tool to pass through the port 140 into the working channel of the medical device 110, through the shaft 118, to the distal tip 120.
[0024] In use, an operator can insert at least a portion of the shaft 118 into a body cavity of a subject. The distal tip 120 can be navigated to a site of operation within the body cavity. The operator can insert an accessory device (not shown) into the port 140 and pass the accessory device through the working channel, through the shaft 118, to the distal tip 120. The accessory device can exit the working channel at the distal tip 120. The user can raise the elevator 126 by the control lever 138 and angle the accessory device toward a desired location (e.g., a papilla site of the pancreaticobiliary duct). The user can perform a medical procedure with the accessory device.
[0025] FIG. 1C An embodiment of a medical device 110 is shown that can be used with FIG. 1A and FIG. 1BAnother exemplary distal end 220 is used in conjunction with the illustrated medical device 110. The distal end 220 may be used in place of the distal end 120. The distal end 220 may include a distal end face 250. The distal end face 250 may define a working channel opening 248. A working channel may extend between the port 140 and the working channel opening 248, allowing an instrument or other device to pass through the port 140, through the working channel, and out of the working channel opening 248. An instrument extending distally from the working channel opening 248 may be used to perform medical procedures on a subject.
[0026] The distal end 220 may also include imaging components, such as one or more illumination elements 224 and one or more imaging devices (e.g., cameras) 222. Although FIG. 1C Two illumination elements 224 and one imaging device 222 are shown, but it should be understood that other numbers of illumination elements 224 and imaging devices 222 may also be used. Alternatively, the illumination elements 224 and imaging device 222 may be integrated into a single device. The illumination elements 224 may include LEDs or any suitable alternative light source. The imaging device 222 may be configured to acquire video and / or still images. The imaging device 222 may provide signals to a monitor (not shown) so that an operator can view the visual images provided by the imaging device 222 while navigating the medical device 110 through the body cavity of the subject.
[0027] like FIG. 1C As shown and described above, the medical device 110 may be forward-facing (i.e., looking forward). In other words, features of the distal end 220 (e.g., the working channel opening 248, the illumination element 224, and the imaging device 222) may face distally (i.e., in front of the distal end face 250). The medical device 110 may also simultaneously provide forward-facing components and lateral components.
[0028] FIGS. 2A-2C An exemplary distal end of an insertion portion 314 of a medical device according to some aspects of this disclosure is shown. The insertion portion 314 may replace the insertion portion 114 and cooperate with the handle portion 112 of the medical device 110. Unless otherwise stated herein, the insertion portion 314 may have any features of the insertion portion 114. The insertion portion 314 may include a shaft 318 (which may have any properties of the shaft 118 unless otherwise stated herein) and a distal end 320 (which may have any properties of the distal end 120 unless otherwise stated herein). Similar to the shaft 118, the distal portion of the shaft 318 may be provided with a steerable section 328, which may be controlled by one or more control mechanisms 130 of the handle portion 112.
[0029] The distal end 320 may include a housing 357. The housing 357 may include a recess 360 defined by a bottom inner surface 376 and a side inner surface 378 of the housing 357. The terms "top" and "bottom" as used herein refer to...FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B The inner surface 378 can be located on either lateral side of the distal tip 320. The term "lateral" refers to a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 318. Although FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B Although only one inner surface 378 is labeled in FIGS. 36 and 37, it should be understood that the housing 357 can have an inner surface 378 on each of the opposite sides of the distal tip 320. The distal and top portions of the housing 357 can be open, such that the recess 360 forms a channel that is open on the distal and top sides. The housing 357 can have a generally "C" or "U" shape in cross-section.
[0030] The pivotable assembly 352 can be housed within the recess 360 of the housing 357 and coupled to the housing 357 by the hinge 354. The pivotable assembly 352 can be rotated or pivoted about the hinge 354 within the recess 360 from a lowered configuration, as shown in FIG. 36, to an angled configuration, as shown in FIG. 37. In some examples, the hinge 354 can bias the pivotable assembly 352 to the lowered configuration, in which the bottom surface of the pivotable assembly 352 is in contact with the bottom inner surface 376 of the housing 357. In other examples, the hinge 354 can not be biased, and the pivotable assembly 352 can remain in the angled configuration, as shown in FIG. 37, unless otherwise actuated. FIG. 2A FIG. 2B FIG. 2A FIG. 2B
[0031] The pull wire 366 (control wire) can extend proximally from the middle portion 374 of the pivotable assembly 352, through the shaft 318, to an actuator, such as a lever, switch, button, or other actuator of the handle 112, such as the control lever 138. The middle portion 374 of the pivotable assembly 352 can be located between the first side portion 358 and the second side portion 359 of the pivotable assembly 352, which are described in more detail below. Proximal movement of the pull wire 366 can cause the pivotable assembly 352 to rotate about the hinge 354 away from the bottom inner surface 376 of the housing 357, and distal movement of the pull wire 366 can cause the pivotable assembly 352 to rotate about the hinge 354 toward the bottom inner surface 376 of the housing 357. Although the pull wire 366 is shown coupled to the middle portion 374 of the pivotable assembly 352, it should be understood that the pull wire 366 can be coupled to any portion of the pivotable assembly 352 (e.g., the side portions 358, 359) to cause the pivotable assembly 352 to rotate about the hinge 354.
[0032] The first side portion 358 of the pivotable assembly 352 can include the imaging device 322 and / or one or more light sources 324, which are disposed on the distal surface 356 of the pivotable assembly 352. Although FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B Two light sources 324 and one imaging device 322 are shown, but it will be appreciated that any number of light sources 324 and imaging devices 322 can be employed. The imaging device 322 and / or one or more light sources 324 can be coupled to an electrical wire 370 that extends from the first side 358, through the shaft 318, to the handle and / or umbilical tubing (e.g., handle 112 and / or umbilical tubing 116) of the medical device. In some examples, the electrical wire 370 can extend through an opening (not shown) on the proximal surface of the first side 358 and into a lumen (not shown) of the first side 358 to connect with the imaging device 322 and / or light source 324.
[0033] The first side 358 can also include a nozzle or opening 369 disposed on the distal surface 356 for applying a gas, fluid, and / or suction, for example, at a target site. The opening 369 can be in fluid communication with a flush tube 368. The flush tube 368 can extend through the shaft 318 to the handle and / or umbilical tubing (e.g., handle 112 and / or umbilical tubing 116) of the medical device. In some examples, the first side 358 can include a lumen (not shown) therethrough having an opening (not shown) on the proximal surface of the first side 358. The flush tube 368 can extend through or be fluidly coupled to the lumen.
[0034] The second side 359 of the pivotable assembly 352 can include an elevator 326 disposed within a recess 380. In some examples, the elevator 326 can be integrally formed with the second side 359 of the pivotable assembly 352 from a single piece of material. In an alternative, the elevator 326 can be formed as a separate component and coupled to the second side 359. The elevator 326 can include a guide face 372 configured to receive an accessory device or tool extending from a working channel 347. The working channel 347 can extend from the distal tip 320, through the shaft 318, to the handle (e.g., handle 112). The working channel 347 can terminate distally at a forward-facing opening 348 located proximally of the proximal end of the pivotable assembly 352. Alternatively, the working channel 347 can extend distally beyond the proximal end of the pivotable assembly 352. The working channel 347 can be positioned in alignment with the elevator 326 such that the accessory device or tool, when extended from the opening 348 of the working channel 347, can contact and move along the guide face 372 of the elevator 326.
[0035] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2BThe relative positions of the first side portion 358, the second side portion 359, and the intermediate portion 374 shown in FIG. 2A are exemplary only, and the portions 358, 359, and 374 can take any suitable arrangement. For example, as shown, the first side portion 358 and the second side portion 359 can be located on opposite sides of the intermediate portion 374 (and on opposite sides of the distal tip 320). In another example, the side portions 358, 359 can be located adjacent to each other. The side portions 358, 359 and the intermediate portion 374 can form a single movable body. In some examples, two or more of the portions 358, 359, and 374 can be integrally formed from the same piece of material (e.g., a single molded piece). In alternatives, the portions 358, 359, and 374 can be formed from separate pieces that are coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled) to each other.
[0036] Although in the lowered configuration (FIG. 2A), the working channel 347, the portion of the electrical wire 370, and the portion of the irrigation tube 368 are in an exposed state within the recess 360, it should be understood that the working channel 347, the electrical wire 370, and / or the irrigation tube 368 can be sealed to protect components of the medical device from, for example, fluids at the target site. FIG. 2A FIG. 2A Although in the lowered configuration (FIG. 2A), the working channel 347, the portion of the electrical wire 370, and the portion of the irrigation tube 368 are in an exposed state within the recess 360, it should be understood that the working channel 347, the electrical wire 370, and / or the irrigation tube 368 can be sealed to protect components of the medical device from, for example, fluids at the target site.
[0037] In the lowered configuration (FIG. 2A), the imaging device 322, the one or more light sources 324, and / or the opening 369 can be directed distally. In other words, they can be forward-facing (i.e., generally parallel or coaxial with the longitudinal axis A of the shaft 318). The longitudinal axis of the elevator 126 can be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the shaft 318. FIG. 2B In the angled configuration (FIG. 2B), the pivotable assembly 352 can be rotated about the hinge 354 by any suitable angle. In this angled configuration, the imaging device 322, the one or more light sources 324, and the opening 369 can be at least partially directed radially outward. In other words, pivoting the pivotable assembly 352 can cause the orientation of the imaging device 322 and the one or more light sources 324 to change. These components can be directed in a direction that is transverse (i.e., not parallel) to the longitudinal axis A of the shaft 318. In some examples, these components can be directed in a direction that is about 90° to the longitudinal axis A of the shaft 318. In other examples, these components can be directed partially proximally or partially distally, at an angle between 0° and 90° to the longitudinal axis A of the shaft 318. Similarly, the longitudinal axis of the elevator 126 can be transverse to the longitudinal axis A of the shaft 318, and can take any of the angles described above for the imaging device 322, the one or more light sources 324, and the opening 369. The pivotable assembly 352 can be adjustable to various angles between the lowered configuration and a maximum pivoted configuration. In examples, the pivotable assembly 352 can be locked at a plurality of different angles.
[0038]
[0039] During use, an operator can insert a portion of the shaft 318 into a body cavity of a subject. The distal tip 320 can be navigated to a target site within the body cavity. During navigation, the pivotable assembly 352 can be in a lowered configuration as shown. FIG. 2C
[0040] To view and / or treat the target site, the operator can operate an actuator (e.g., a joystick, a switch, a button, or other actuator such as the control lever 138 on the handle 112) to move the pull wire 366 in a proximal direction, thereby rotating the pivotable assembly 352 about the hinge 354 and away from the bottom interior surface 376 until an angled configuration is reached (as shown). FIG. 2C The pull wire 366 can be moved proximally or distally to rotate the pivotable assembly 352 about the hinge 354 to adjust the pivotable assembly 352 until it reaches a desired angle. For example, the pivotable assembly 352 can be adjusted to a respective angle to enable the operator to view the target through the imaging device 322, to illuminate the target site through the one or more light sources 324, to apply fluid, gas, and / or suction to the target site through the opening 369, and / or to angle an accessory device or tool toward the target site through the riser 326. The operator can lock the position of the pivotable assembly 352 in place through a locking mechanism on the medical device handle.
[0041] FIG. 2C A schematic view of the pivotable assembly 352 of the distal tip 320 is shown. As FIG. 2A shown, the pivotable assembly 352 can enable the operator to view the target site and / or position an accessory device or tool at the target site at a plurality of exit angles within the arc C. For example, the longitudinal axis B of the pivotable assembly 352 can form an angle between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees with the longitudinal axis A of the shaft 318 and / or the bottom interior surface 376 of the housing 357. As shown, in a first position F of the pivotable assembly 352, which can correspond to the lowered configuration of the , the longitudinal axis B of the pivotable assembly 352 can be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the shaft 318. In a second position G, the pivotable assembly 352 can form an angle along the arc C. In an example, the pivotable assembly 352 can have a maximum angle of about 90 degrees along the arc C (not specifically shown). Since the distal and top portions of the housing 357 can be open, thereby forming a channel with an open distal and top portion, the imaging device 322 can view the target site unobstructed along the entire length of the arc C and / or a tool or accessory device can reach the target site unobstructed along the entire length of the arc C.
[0042] While the imaging device 322, the one or more light sources 324, the opening 369, and the elevator 326 are shown as being collectively rotated or otherwise moved by the pull wire 366 coupled to the intermediate portion 374, it should be understood that the pivotable assembly 352 can also be provided without the intermediate portion 374, and the side portions 358, 359 can be coupled to respective pull wires 366 to independently rotate each side portion 358, 359 about a hinge (e.g., the hinge 354). For example, the first side portion 358 containing the imaging device 322, the one or more light sources 324, and the opening 369 can be coupled to a first pull wire 366 to rotate independently of the second side portion 359 about the hinge 354. The second side portion 359 containing the elevator 326 can be coupled to a second pull wire 366 to rotate independently of the first side portion 358 about the hinge 354. The independently movable portions of the pivotable assembly 352 can enable an operator to pass a tool or accessory device through the working channel 347 in a straightened configuration and extend onto the guide surface 372 of the elevator 326 while the imaging device 322, the one or more light sources 324, and the opening 369 of the irrigation tube 368 are in an angled state. Alternatively, the imaging device 322, the one or more light sources 324, and the opening 369 of the irrigation tube 368 can be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the shaft 318, while the elevator 326 can be at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis A of the shaft 318. In this example, the operator can lock the position of each side portion 358, 359 of the pivotable assembly 352 in place via a locking mechanism on a handle (e.g., similar to the handle 112) of the medical device. The handle 112 can include two control levers 138 to control the first side portion 358 and the second side portion 359, respectively.
[0043] Various modifications and changes can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description, which is meant to be illustrative only.
Claims
1. A medical device, the medical device comprising: A shaft, the shaft including a working channel; as well as The distal end includes a component comprising an imaging device and a lifter, and wherein the component is movable from a descending configuration to an angled configuration to move the imaging device and the lifter from the descending configuration to the angled configuration.
2. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein, The component can be moved from the descending configuration to the angled configuration via a hinge.
3. The medical device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The component is housed within a recess in the housing at the distal end.
4. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein, The lifter and the imaging device can be moved independently from the descending configuration to the angled configuration.
5. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein, The imaging device is located on the first lateral side of the distal end, while the lift is located on the second lateral side of the distal end.
6. The medical device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the descending configuration, the bottom surface of the component is in contact with the inner surface of the housing at the distal end.
7. The medical device according to claim 6, wherein, The component is connected to a control line, wherein a distal movement of the control line causes the component to move toward the inner surface of the housing, and wherein a proximal movement of the control line causes the component to move away from the inner surface of the housing.
8. The medical device according to claim 7, wherein, The lifter is disposed on the first side of the component, wherein the imaging device is connected to the second side of the component, wherein the control line is connected to the middle part of the component, and wherein the middle part is located between the first side and the second side.
9. The medical device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the angled configuration, the longitudinal axis of the component forms an angle between 0° and 90° with the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
10. The medical device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the descending configuration, the imaging device faces the far side.
11. The medical device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the angled configuration, the imaging device is at least partially oriented radially outward.
12. The medical device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The lifter is located within the recess of the component.
13. The medical device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, When the component is in the angled configuration, the imaging device and the lift are angled in approximately the same direction.
14. The medical device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The component also includes one or more light sources and a flushing opening.
15. The medical device according to claim 14, wherein, The one or more light sources and the flushing opening can be moved from the descending configuration to the angled configuration.