A disposable endoscope system

Abstract

This invention discloses a disposable spinal endoscope system, comprising a tube containing a dedicated conduit, an operating channel, and two inlet / outlet water pipes arranged axially within the tube. A disposable, shape-memory flexible lens fiber is inserted into the dedicated conduit. A handle is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the proximal end of the tube. The handle is a flip-top structure comprising two handle plates, one end of which is rotatably connected. Each handle plate has a semi-groove on its opposite side for fixing the flexible lens fiber. When the two handle plates are closed together, the two semi-grooves are positioned opposite each other, forming a groove with an inner diameter matching the outer diameter of the flexible lens fiber. The distal end of the flexible lens fiber is bent under no stress. This invention avoids repeated disinfection and reuse of the lens, prevents spinal endoscope breakage and damage, significantly reduces medical costs, and allows for adjustment of the field of view.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a disposable spinal endoscope system, belonging to the field of medical device technology. Background Technology

[0002] Spinal endoscopes are typically repeatedly sterilized and reused, leading to lens wear and tear and affecting image quality. There is also a risk of cross-infection between patients, especially with the increasing number of HIV / AIDS carriers. Traditional spinal endoscope systems fix the lens fiber optic cable and operating channel within a slender cylindrical metal tube. When the glass lens at the endoscope enters the spinal region for surgical procedures, it often encounters hard bone tissue, easily causing the lens to break and become damaged, resulting in blurred vision and inability to complete the surgery. Damage to a spinal endoscope is time-consuming and costly to repair, severely impacting medical operations. Purchasing a new spinal endoscope system is expensive, drastically increasing medical costs and making it difficult for hospitals to afford. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to solve the problems of wear and tear and cross-infection of spinal endoscopes, and to solve the problem of easy breakage and damage of spinal endoscopes.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution of the present invention is to provide a disposable spinal endoscope system, characterized in that it includes an endoscope tube, a dedicated pipe, an operating channel, and two inlet and outlet water pipes arranged axially inside the endoscope tube. A disposable flexible lens fiber with shape memory function is inserted into the dedicated pipe. One end of the handle is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the proximal end of the endoscope tube. The handle is a flip-top structure, including two handle plates. One end of the two handle plates is rotatably connected to each other, and the other end of the two handle plates is provided with a latch for locking connection after closing. Each of the two handle plates has a semi-groove for fixing the flexible lens fiber on opposite sides. When the two handle plates are closed together, the two semi-grooves are arranged opposite each other to form a groove with an inner diameter matching the outer diameter of the flexible lens fiber. The distal end of the flexible lens fiber is bent when not under force.

[0005] Preferably, each of the said half-grooves is provided with a plurality of half-rubber rings for fixing the flexible lens optical fiber at intervals.

[0006] Preferably, the proximal ends of the two inlet and outlet water pipes are respectively connected to and connected to a mirror tube interface.

[0007] Preferably, the bending angle of the distal end of the flexible lens fiber does not exceed 90 degrees.

[0008] This invention is used for percutaneous endoscopic discectomy (posterolateral approach spinal endoscopy) to treat thoracic and lumbar degenerative diseases such as intervertebral disc herniation and spinal stenosis, as well as ventral nerve compression caused by thoracic and lumbar tumors and infections. It is also used for posterior spinal endoscopy to treat cervical disc herniation, ossification of the ligamentum flavum of the thoracic spine, and dorsal nerve compression caused by spinal tumors and infections.

[0009] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0010] 1) Avoid cross-infection with HIV and other viruses, resulting in better hygiene and health; 2) Avoid poor image quality caused by repeated disinfection and reuse of the lens; 3) Avoid unexpected accidents such as the inability to continue surgery due to breakage or damage of the spinal endoscope; 4) Avoid increased costs due to repeated repairs or repurchase of the spinal endoscope after breakage or damage; 5) Eliminate the need to purchase multiple models of spinal endoscopes, greatly reducing medical costs.

[0011] The system of this invention protects the flexible lens fiber as it enters the patient's body. By designing the outer wall of the lens position at the distal end of the flexible lens fiber into a structure with shape memory function, the flexible lens fiber can adjust the field of view position by slightly protruding after reaching the desired position, thus solving the problem of 0-degree lens field of view decentering. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a single-use spinal endoscope system; Figure 2 This is an end view of the end tube; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the handle; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a flexible lens optical fiber. Detailed Implementation

[0013] To make the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] This invention provides a disposable spinal endoscope system, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, it includes a reusable endoscope tube 1 and a handle 2, as well as a disposable flexible lens fiber optic cable 3. The endoscope tube 1 consists of an operating channel 11, two inlet / outlet water pipes 12, and a dedicated pipe 13 into which the flexible lens fiber optic cable 3 can be inserted. Two endoscope tube interfaces 4 at the proximal end of the endoscope tube 1 are connected to and communicate with the two inlet / outlet water pipes 12. One end of the handle 2 is fixedly connected (welded or integrally molded) to the outer wall of the proximal end of the endoscope tube 1. The outer wall of the distal end of the flexible lens fiber optic cable 3 is made of a memory material, possessing super elasticity, shape memory, and extremely strong resilience. Under no stress, the maximum bending angle of the distal end of the flexible lens fiber optic cable 3 is 90 degrees. Generally, only a slight protrusion of the distal end of the endoscope tube 1, i.e., a slight bend, is needed to achieve the desired field of vision for the doctor.

[0015] like Figure 3 As shown, the handle 2 is a flip-top structure that can be opened to accommodate and secure the flexible lens fiber optic cable 3. The handle 2 includes two handle plates 23, rotatably connected at one end, and connected at the other end by a locking latch. Each handle plate 23 has a semi-groove 21 on its opposite side for securing the flexible lens fiber optic cable 3. The two semi-grooves 21 are arranged opposite each other, forming a groove whose inner diameter matches the outer diameter of the flexible lens fiber optic cable 3. Closing the two handle plates 23 clamps the flexible lens fiber optic cable 3 extending from the proximal end of the dedicated conduit 13 into the semi-groove 21, thus securing it. Each semi-groove 21 contains multiple semi-rubber rings 22 spaced apart. These semi-rubber rings 22 create elastic pressure and friction against the outer wall of the flexible lens fiber optic cable 3, thereby securing the flexible lens fiber optic cable 3 and preventing axial movement.

[0016] The handle 2 has a rectangular structure; the two handle plates 23 are connected by a hinge at one end; the other end of the two handle plates 23 can be locked using a Lock & Lock structure.

[0017] like Figure 4 As shown, the flexible lens fiber optic cable 3 has a dedicated interface 32 at its near end, which can be directly connected to a dedicated imaging host via a dedicated cable. The flexible lens fiber optic cable 3 has a lens 31 at its far end.

[0018] The outer material of the distal end of the flexible lens fiber 3 can be a multi-layer composite structure consisting of an outer layer, a structural layer, a reinforcement layer, and an inner layer.

[0019] The outer layer uses a polymeric elastomer, such as medical-grade polyurethane (PU), block polyetheramide (Pebax®), or medical-grade silicone.

[0020] The structural layer, which is a curved joint / skeleton, uses a nickel-titanium alloy with a preset bending angle.

[0021] The reinforcing layer uses a stainless steel wire / flat wire braided layer (316L / 06Cr17Ni12Mo2).

[0022] The inner layer, which is the instrument channel layer, can be made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE / Teflon).

[0023] The usage process of this invention is as follows: The endoscope tube 1 of the present invention is inserted into the patient's body, and the flexible lens fiber 3 is inserted into the special tube 13. The endoscope tube interface 4 at the proximal end of the two water inlet and outlet tubes 12 is connected to the water inlet device (which may be equipped with a flushing pump) and the water outlet device (which may be equipped with a suction pump), respectively. The surgical instruments are inserted into an operating channel 11.

[0024] Initially (before the distal end of the flexible lens fiber 3 extends beyond the distal end of the endoscope tube 1), the lens 31 of the flexible lens fiber 3 is parallel to the operating channel 11, making it impossible to see the location of the operating channel 11. By gradually pushing the flexible lens fiber 3 further distally, i.e., gradually extending the distal end of the flexible lens fiber 3 beyond the distal end of the endoscope tube 1, the distal end of the flexible lens fiber 3 gradually bends, and the doctor's field of vision gradually shifts towards the instrument position extending from the distal end of the operating channel 11. As the distal end of the endoscope tube 1 approaches the patient's lesion, the field of vision gradually becomes clearer but narrower. It is necessary to push the flexible lens fiber 3 again until it returns to the preset curvature (i.e., 90 degrees), which meets the doctor's field of vision requirements when operating the instrument during surgery. In addition, the doctor can adjust the direction facing the lens 31 of the curved distal end of the flexible lens fiber 3 by axially rotating the flexible lens fiber 3.

Claims

1. A disposable spinal endoscope system, characterized in that, The system includes a lens tube (1), which has a dedicated pipe (13), an operating channel (11), and two inlet and outlet water pipes (12) arranged along the axial direction. A disposable flexible lens fiber (3) with shape memory function is inserted into the dedicated pipe (13). One end of a handle (2) is fixedly connected to the outer wall near the end of the lens tube (1). The handle (2) is a flip-top structure, which includes two handle plates (3). One end of the two handle plates (3) is rotatably connected, and the other end of the two handle plates (3) is provided with a latch that locks the connection after closing. The opposite sides of the two handle plates (3) are provided with half-grooves (21) for fixing the flexible lens fiber (3). When the two handle plates (3) are closed together, the two half-grooves (21) are arranged opposite each other to form a groove with an inner diameter that matches the outer diameter of the flexible lens fiber (3). The distal end of the flexible lens fiber (3) is bent when not under force.

2. The disposable spinal endoscope system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned half-grooves (21) is provided with a plurality of half-rubber rings (22) for fixing the flexible lens fiber (3) at intervals.

3. The disposable spinal endoscope system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The two inlet and outlet water pipes (12) are respectively connected to a mirror tube interface (4) at their proximal ends.

4. The disposable spinal endoscope system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bending angle of the distal end of the soft lens fiber (3) does not exceed 90 degrees.

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