A ureteral flexible scope with telescopic optical fiber axial adjustment mechanism

Abstract

This invention discloses a flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism, comprising a ureteroscope body and a fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism. The ureteroscope body is equipped with a fiber optic access tube. The adjustment mechanism includes a connecting sleeve, an adjusting sleeve, a translation sleeve, and a locking knob. The distal end of the connecting sleeve is fixedly fitted onto the proximal end of the fiber optic access tube, and its inner circumferential wall is provided with a guide protrusion. The distal end of the adjusting sleeve is fitted onto the proximal end of the connecting sleeve by circumferential rotation and axial locking, and the proximal end has a first internal thread. The distal end of the translation sleeve has a first external thread adapted to the first internal thread, and a guide groove that slides to fit the guide protrusion. The proximal end is provided with a fiber optic positioning seat, and the locking knob is mounted on the positioning seat. This flexible ureteroscope achieves continuous axial adjustment of the fiber optic cable through the helical transmission and guide structure of the adjusting sleeve and the translation sleeve, eliminating the need for "loosening-pushing-re-locking," thus solving the defects of existing technologies such as cumbersome operation, low adjustment efficiency, and poor positioning accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, specifically to a flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Upper urinary tract stones are a common disease in urology. Flexible ureteroscopy (fURS), due to its minimally invasive nature, has become the mainstream treatment for kidney stones and upper ureteral stones. With the upgrading of clinical concepts, the treatment goal is shifting from "completely breaking up the stone" to "reducing residual fragments and improving the postoperative stone clearance rate." Clinical data shows that residual fragments ≤4mm can also cause complications such as stone streets and obstruction. The stone clearance rate has become a core diagnostic and treatment indicator. Medical institutions at all levels are improving the stone clearance effect by strengthening postoperative irrigation and other methods, resulting in a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of related procedures.

[0003] During the procedure, the axial position of the optical fiber needs to be dynamically adjusted according to the surgical stage. During the lithotripsy stage, the fiber needs to be positioned forward for precise lithotripsy, and during the flushing and lithotripsy stage, it needs to be retracted to a clearance position to avoid interfering with the flow of fragments and the end-of-scope structure. Furthermore, during the flushing process, the retraction amount needs to be repeatedly adjusted and maintained stably based on the accumulation of fragments and the flushing effect. This continuous adjustment requirement of "forward positioning - retraction - dynamic readjustment" becomes more and more frequent as the demand for lithotripsy increases.

[0004] Current flexible ureteroscopes achieve fiber optic positioning via a proximal fiber optic interface and a fixing knob or clamping structure, relying on a "release-push-pull-relock" pattern for adjustment. This method suffers from drawbacks such as cumbersome operation steps, low switching efficiency, poor positioning accuracy, and easy wear and tear on the locking structure leading to fixation failure. Furthermore, it cannot achieve continuous stepless adjustment, failing to meet the core clinical need for dynamic fiber optic adjustment and hindering further improvements in endoscopic stone removal efficacy. Therefore, developing a precisely adjustable fiber optic axial adjustment structure has become an urgent need for upgrading flexible ureteroscope technology. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention proposes a flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism includes a ureteroscope body. A fiber optic access tube is integrally provided at the proximal end of the ureteroscope body. The ureteroscope body is equipped with a fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism, which includes a connecting sleeve, an adjusting sleeve, a translation sleeve, and a locking knob. The distal end of the connecting sleeve is fixedly fitted onto the outer side of the proximal end of the fiber optic access tube. An axially extending guide rib is fixedly provided on the inner peripheral wall of the connecting sleeve. The distal end of the adjusting sleeve is fitted onto the connecting sleeve in a manner that allows circumferential rotation and axial locking. On the outer proximal end of the connecting sleeve, the inner circumferential wall of the adjusting sleeve is provided with a first internal thread, and the outer circumferential wall of the translation sleeve is provided with a first external thread that matches the first internal thread. The adjusting sleeve and the translation sleeve are screwed together by the first internal thread and the first external thread. The outer circumferential wall of the translation sleeve is provided with a guide groove that extends axially. The guide groove is slidably adapted to the guide protrusion. The proximal end of the translation sleeve is integrally provided with an optical fiber positioning seat. The locking knob is detachably mounted on the optical fiber positioning seat and is used to lock the optical fiber.

[0008] To better achieve the above technical solution, optionally, an annular limiting groove is provided on the proximal outer peripheral wall of the connecting sleeve, and spring pins are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction on the distal inner peripheral wall of the adjusting sleeve, with the elastic extension end of the spring pins engaging in the annular limiting groove.

[0009] Optionally, the fiber positioning seat includes a second external thread fixed to the outer peripheral wall of the near end of the translation sleeve and a tapered extrusion through hole opened in the inner peripheral wall of the near end of the translation sleeve. The locking knob includes an end plate, an outer connecting cylinder and an inner tapered cylinder coaxially fixed to one side of the end plate. The inner peripheral wall of the outer connecting cylinder is provided with a second internal thread. The outer connecting cylinder is threadedly connected to the near end of the translation sleeve. The inner tapered cylinder is extruded and fitted with the tapered extrusion through hole to clamp and fix the fiber passing through the center of the translation sleeve.

[0010] Optionally, the outer diameter of the end plate and the outer diameter of the outer connecting cylinder are both less than or equal to the outer diameter of the first external thread.

[0011] Optionally, the outer diameter of the distal end of the adjusting sleeve is larger than its outer diameter of the proximal end, forming a stepped structure.

[0012] Optionally, four guide protrusions are provided, and the four guide protrusions are evenly spaced along the inner circumferential wall of the connecting sleeve. The guide grooves correspond one-to-one with the guide protrusions and are slidably adapted to each other.

[0013] Optionally, the maximum axial travel of the translation sleeve is 20 mm.

[0014] Optionally, the distal outer peripheral wall of the adjusting sleeve is provided with anti-slip texture.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0016] This invention discloses a flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism. Through a helical drive and guide structure, it achieves continuous stepless adjustment of the fiber optic cable, eliminating the need for repeated loosening and tightening, significantly improving fiber optic adjustment efficiency and meeting the clinical needs of high-frequency dynamic adjustments during surgery. The one-to-one cooperation of four guide convex strips and guide grooves, along with the limiting effect of spring pins and annular limiting grooves, ensures smooth axial movement of the translation sleeve without radial wobble, improving fiber optic adjustment accuracy and meeting the requirements for precise lithotripsy. The overall structure is compact. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of the middle section of the structure;

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A front view of a local structure in the middle;

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Sectional view of AA;

[0021] Figure label:

[0022] Ureteroscope body 100, fiber optic access tube 101, connecting sleeve 210, guide protrusion 211, annular limiting groove 212, adjusting sleeve 220, first internal thread 221, spring pin 222, anti-slip texture 223, translation sleeve 230, first external thread 231, guide groove 232, second external thread 233, tapered extrusion through hole 234, locking knob 240, end plate 241, outer connecting cylinder 242, inner tapered cylinder 243, second internal thread 244, fiber optic cable 300. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Identical components are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0024] Please see Figures 1 to 4 This invention discloses a flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism, comprising a ureteroscope body 100 and a fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism.

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2The ureteroscope body 100 has an integrally formed fiber optic access tube 101 at its proximal end. A fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism is located at the proximal end of the fiber optic access tube 101. This mechanism includes a connecting sleeve 210, an adjusting sleeve 220, a translation sleeve 230, and a locking knob 240. The distal end of the connecting sleeve 210 is integrally formed and fixedly fitted onto the proximal outer side of the fiber optic access tube 101. An axially extending guide protrusion 211 is fixedly provided on the inner peripheral wall of the connecting sleeve 210. The distal end of the adjusting sleeve 220 is rotatably fitted onto the proximal outer side of the connecting sleeve 210 and locked axially. The inner peripheral wall of the proximal end of the 220 is provided with a first internal thread 221, and the outer peripheral wall of the distal end of the translation sleeve 230 is provided with a first external thread 231 that is adapted to the first internal thread 221. The adjustment sleeve 220 and the translation sleeve 230 are screwed together by the first internal thread 221 and the first external thread 231. The outer peripheral wall of the distal end of the translation sleeve 230 is provided with a guide groove 232 that extends axially. The guide groove 232 is slidably adapted to the guide protrusion 211. The proximal end of the translation sleeve 230 is integrally provided with an optical fiber positioning seat. The locking knob 240 is detachably mounted on the optical fiber positioning seat for locking the optical fiber 300.

[0026] The working mode of a flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is as follows:

[0027] During the intraoperative lithotripsy stage, the fiber optic cable 300 needs to be positioned forward for precise lithotripsy. In specific operation, one hand holds the ureteroscope 100, and the other hand holds the adjustment sleeve 220 and rotates it in the first direction (clockwise). Since the adjustment sleeve 220 can only rotate circumferentially and cannot move axially, when the adjustment sleeve 220 rotates, the first internal thread 221 and the first external thread 231 undergo helical transmission. At the same time, the translation sleeve 230 is restricted from circumferential rotation by slidingly engaging with the guide protrusion 211 of the connecting sleeve 210 through the guide groove 232. Therefore, the helical driving force is converted into the axial movement of the translation sleeve 230, which drives the translation sleeve 230 to move closer to the ureteroscope 100, thereby positioning the fiber optic cable 300 forward until the appropriate lithotripsy position is reached.

[0028] During the intraoperative flushing and stone removal stage, the fiber optic cable 300 needs to be retracted to make way and avoid interfering with the flow of fragments and the flushing operation. At this time, rotate the adjusting sleeve 220 in the second direction (the second direction is counterclockwise). Through the same spiral transmission principle, the translation sleeve 230 is driven to move away from the ureteroscope body 100, so as to realize the retraction of the fiber optic cable 300. The fiber optic cable position adjustment is completed when it is retracted to the appropriate position.

[0029] Using the flexible ureteroscope of the present invention, the entire adjustment process can achieve continuous axial adjustment of the fiber optic cable 300 by simply rotating the adjustment sleeve 220. It is convenient to operate and has precise positioning, which solves the defects of the prior art, such as cumbersome operation of "loosening-pushing-locking", low adjustment efficiency and poor positioning accuracy.

[0030] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the proximal outer peripheral wall of the connecting sleeve 210 is provided with an annular limiting groove 212, and the distal inner peripheral wall of the adjusting sleeve 220 is uniformly spaced with spring pins 222 along the circumferential direction. The elastic extension end of the spring pin 222 is engaged in the annular limiting groove 212. Specifically, the spring pins 222 are medical-grade spring pins, and there are three spring pins 222, which are uniformly spaced along the circumferential direction of the distal inner peripheral wall of the adjusting sleeve 220. After assembly, the spring pins 222 are in a slightly compressed state. Through the cooperation of the spring pins 222 and the annular limiting groove 212, the circumferential rotation of the adjusting sleeve 220 relative to the connecting sleeve 210 is guided, and the axial movement of the adjusting sleeve 220 is restricted, ensuring that the adjusting sleeve 220 can only rotate circumferentially around the axis of the connecting sleeve 210, providing stable power for the axial movement of the translation sleeve 230.

[0031] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the fiber optic positioning seat includes a second external thread 233 fixed to the outer peripheral wall of the near end of the translation sleeve 230 and a tapered extrusion through hole 234 opened on the inner peripheral wall of the near end of the translation sleeve 230. The locking knob 240 includes an end plate 241, an outer connecting cylinder 242 coaxially fixed to one side of the end plate 241 and an inner tapered cylinder 243. The inner peripheral wall of the outer connecting cylinder 242 is provided with a second internal thread 244 adapted to the second external thread 233. The outer connecting cylinder 242 is threadedly connected to the near end of the translation sleeve 230. The inner tapered cylinder 243 is extruded and engaged with the tapered extrusion through hole 234 to clamp and fix the fiber optic cable passing through the center of the translation sleeve 230.

[0032] Specifically, when the locking knob 240 is rotated, the conical extrusion through hole 234 extrudes the inner conical cylinder 243, causing the inner conical cylinder 243 to tighten and clamp the optical fiber passing through the center of the adjusting sleeve 230. This clamping method can realize the fixed connection between the optical fiber 300 and the translation sleeve 230, so that the optical fiber 300 can be moved axially by driving the translation sleeve 230 through the adjusting sleeve 220.

[0033] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the end plate 241 and the outer diameter of the outer connecting cylinder 242 are both less than or equal to the outer diameter of the first external thread 231 on the translation sleeve 230, so as to avoid interference with the first internal thread 221 after the locking knob 240 is assembled, ensuring that the overall structure is compact and adaptable to the operating space during surgery.

[0034] In this embodiment, the distal outer diameter of the adjusting sleeve 220 is larger than its proximal outer diameter, forming a stepped structure. At the same time, the distal outer peripheral wall of the adjusting sleeve 220 is provided with anti-slip texture 223, which makes it easier for doctors to hold and rotate, improving the ease of operation.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, four guide protrusions 211 are provided, and the four guide protrusions 211 are evenly distributed along the inner circumferential wall of the connecting sleeve 210. The cross-section of the guide protrusions 211 is rectangular. The guide grooves 232 correspond one-to-one with the guide protrusions 211 and slide to fit. Specifically, the sliding fit clearance is controlled at 0.01-0.03mm. This ensures smooth axial movement of the translation sleeve 230 and avoids radial shaking, thus improving the adjustment accuracy.

[0036] In this embodiment, the maximum axial travel of the translation sleeve 230 is 20mm to meet the position requirements of the fiber optic 300 at different stages of intraoperative lithotripsy and stone removal.

[0037] The flexible ureteroscope of this invention, through a spiral drive and guide structure, achieves continuous stepless adjustment of the optical fiber 300, eliminating the need for repeated loosening and tightening, thus improving operational efficiency and meeting the requirements for high-frequency dynamic adjustment during surgery. The one-to-one cooperation of the four guide protrusions 211 with the guide grooves 232, and the limiting effect of the spring pin 222 and the annular limiting groove 212, ensures smooth axial movement of the translation sleeve 230 without radial wobbling, achieving high adjustment precision and meeting the needs of precise lithotripsy. The overall structure is compact.

[0038] The technical solution of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. The specific embodiments described are used to help understand the concept of the present invention. Derivations and modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the specific embodiments of the present invention also fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism, comprising a ureteroscope body (100), wherein a fiber optic access tube (101) is integrally provided at the proximal end of the ureteroscope body (100), characterized in that, The ureteroscope body (100) is provided with a fiber optic axis adjustment mechanism, which includes a connecting sleeve (210), an adjusting sleeve (220), a translation sleeve (230), and a locking knob (240). The distal end of the connecting sleeve (210) is fixedly sleeved on the proximal outer side of the fiber optic access tube (101). The inner peripheral wall of the connecting sleeve (210) is fixedly provided with a guide protrusion (211) extending axially. The distal end of the adjusting sleeve (220) is sleeved on the proximal outer side of the connecting sleeve (210) in a circumferentially rotatable and axially locked manner. The proximal inner peripheral wall of the adjusting sleeve (220) is provided with a first inner... The outer peripheral wall of the translation sleeve (230) is provided with a first external thread (231). The adjustment sleeve (220) and the translation sleeve (230) are screwed together by the first internal thread (221) and the first external thread (231). The outer peripheral wall of the translation sleeve (230) is provided with a guide groove (232) extending along the axial direction. The guide groove (232) is slidably adapted to the guide protrusion (211). The near end of the translation sleeve (230) is integrally provided with an optical fiber positioning seat. The locking knob (240) is detachably set on the optical fiber positioning seat and is used to lock the optical fiber (300).

2. A flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting sleeve (210) has an annular limiting groove (212) on its proximal outer peripheral wall, and the adjusting sleeve (220) has spring pins (222) evenly spaced along the circumferential direction on its distal inner peripheral wall, with the elastic extension end of the spring pins (222) engaging in the annular limiting groove (212).

3. A flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fiber positioning base includes a second external thread (233) fixed on the outer peripheral wall of the near end of the translation sleeve (230) and a tapered extrusion through hole (234) opened on the inner peripheral wall of the near end of the translation sleeve (230). The locking knob (240) includes an end plate (241), an outer connecting cylinder (242) coaxially fixed on one side of the end plate (241) and an inner tapered cylinder (243). The inner peripheral wall of the outer connecting cylinder (242) is provided with a second internal thread (244) that matches the second external thread (233). The outer connecting cylinder (242) is connected to the near end of the translation sleeve (230) by a thread. The inner tapered cylinder (243) is extruded and fitted with the tapered extrusion through hole (234) to clamp and fix the fiber (300) passing through the center of the translation sleeve (230).

4. A flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the end plate (241) and the outer diameter of the outer connecting cylinder (242) are both less than or equal to the outer diameter of the first external thread (231).

5. A flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The distal outer diameter of the adjusting sleeve (220) is larger than its proximal outer diameter, forming a stepped structure.

6. A flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide protrusions (211) are provided in four places, and the four guide protrusions (211) are evenly distributed along the inner circumferential wall of the connecting sleeve (210). The guide grooves (232) correspond one-to-one with the guide protrusions (211) and are slidably adapted.

7. A flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The maximum axial travel of the translation sleeve (230) is 20 mm.

8. A flexible ureteroscope with a telescopic fiber optic axial adjustment mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer peripheral wall of the distal end of the adjusting sleeve (220) is provided with anti-slip texture (223).

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