Tube with balloon and balloon assist system

Abstract

The utility model provides a tube with a sacculus and a sacculus auxiliary system, the tube with the sacculus comprises an outer tube and i sacculus sections arranged on the outer tube, and i is a positive integer; each balloon section comprises more than two balloons which are sequentially arranged along the axial direction of the outer tube; the radial size of the balloon along the outer tube is enlarged when the balloon is filled and is reduced when the balloon is emptied; the total number of the balloons in all the balloon sections is not less than 3; wherein in each balloon section, all the balloons are isolated from one another, and all the balloons are configured to form fluctuations transmitted in the axial direction of the outer tube through filling and emptying. According to the configuration, all the balloons in each balloon section are isolated from one another and are configured to form fluctuation transmitted in the axial direction of the outer tube through filling and emptying, so that the intestinal canals can be flexibly and efficiently nested, the nesting amplitude of the intestinal canals is small, and the risk of intestinal wall injury can be reduced. In addition, operation is easy and convenient, efficiency is high, and operation time can be shortened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of medical devices, and particularly relates to a tube with a balloon and a balloon-assisted system. Background Art

[0002] At present, enteroscopy is an important means for diagnosing small intestine diseases. The small intestine is long and tortuous. In order to examine as long a length of the small intestine as possible in a single access, during enteroscopy, the inner and outer tubes often need to move alternately, and the intestinal tube is sleeved on the endoscope by using an airbag to reach the part to be examined.

[0003] Existing enteroscopes are mainly divided into double-balloon enteroscopes and single-balloon enteroscopes. A double-balloon enteroscope is equipped with an airbag on the endoscope and an airbag on the outer tube. A single-balloon enteroscope is only equipped with an airbag on the outer tube. Both need to be assisted by an outer tube with an airbag. Taking the single-balloon enteroscope as an example, after the outer tube reaches a certain position in the intestinal tube, the airbag of the outer tube is inflated to fix the intestinal wall, and then the outer tube and the endoscope are pulled backward together, so that the intestinal tube can be sleeved and shortened backward. Then the endoscope advances alone to reach a deeper intestinal segment, hooks the intestinal wall with the endoscope, deflates the airbag of the outer tube, and then slides forward along the endoscope. After reaching the front end, the airbag of the outer tube is inflated again, and the cycle is repeated to reach the deep part of the small intestine.

[0004] During the examination, the inflation and deflation of the airbag are automatically controlled by a connected airbag pressure controller. And during the enteroscopy examination, the endoscope and the outer tube need to be repeatedly pulled and advanced continuously, the intestinal wall is easily damaged, it is time-consuming and laborious, and the efficiency is low. The average time for one examination is 50 - 60 minutes. During the examination, precise cooperation and coordination between the operator and the assistant are also required to proceed smoothly. Content of the Utility Model

[0005] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a tube with a balloon and a balloon-assisted system to solve the problems of low efficiency of existing intestinal tube examinations and easy damage to the intestinal wall.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the utility model provides a tube with a balloon, which includes: an outer tube and i balloon segments arranged on the outer tube, where i is a positive integer; each balloon segment includes two or more balloons arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the outer tube; the radial dimension of the balloon along the outer tube expands when it is filled and shrinks when it is emptied;

[0007] The total number of balloons in all the balloon segments is not less than 3; wherein, in each balloon segment, all the balloons are isolated from each other and all the balloons are configured to form a wave transmitted along the axial direction of the outer tube through filling and emptying.

[0008] Optionally, i is an integer not less than 2, and all the balloon segments are arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the outer tube; the balloons with the same sorting among all the balloon segments are interconnected to form two or more balloon groups.

[0009] Optionally, the balloon segments are configured to fluctuate repeatedly.

[0010] Optionally, the outer tube has two or more first channels extending along its own axial direction, and different balloons in the same balloon segment communicate with different first channels correspondingly.

[0011] Optionally, the outer tube has a second channel extending along its own axial direction; the inner wall of the second channel has inwardly provided protrusions, and the protrusions extend along the axial direction of the second channel.

[0012] Optionally, the outer tube has two or more first channels extending along its own axial direction, and different balloons in the same balloon segment communicate with different first channels correspondingly; all the first channels are arranged circumferentially along the second channel, and the protrusions correspond to the first channels in the circumferential direction of the second channel.

[0013] To solve the above technical problems, the present utility model further provides a balloon assist system, which includes the tube with balloons as described above, and further includes a cylinder drive assembly and two or more cylinders; different balloons in the same balloon segment are correspondingly connected to different cylinders; the cylinder drive assembly is configured to drive different cylinders in sequence to fill or empty the corresponding balloons.

[0014] Optionally, the cylinder drive assembly includes a rotating shaft and an inclined member, the inclined member is connected to the rotating shaft and is configured to rotate with the rotating shaft; the inclined member has an inclined surface at an angle with the rotating shaft;

[0015] Two or more of the cylinders are arranged circumferentially around the rotating shaft, and the pistons of all the cylinders are in contact with the inclined surface; a reset member is provided on the piston, and when the inclined member rotates with the rotating shaft, the piston reciprocates in a direction parallel to the rotating shaft through the drive of the inclined surface and the reset action of the reset member.

[0016] Optionally, the cylinder drive assembly includes two or more linear motors, the linear motors are connected to the pistons of the cylinders one by one, and each linear motor is used to drive the corresponding piston to reciprocate.

[0017] Optionally, the balloon assist system further includes two or more pressure sensors, and each cylinder is connected to a pressure sensor.

[0018] In summary, in the balloon-equipped tube and balloon-assisted system provided by the present utility model, the balloon-equipped tube includes: an outer tube and i balloon segments provided on the outer tube, where i is a positive integer; each balloon segment includes two or more balloons arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the outer tube; the radial dimension of the balloon expands when filled and shrinks when emptied; the total number of balloons in all the balloon segments is not less than 3; wherein, in each balloon segment, all the balloons are isolated from each other and all the balloons are configured to form a wave transmitted along the axial direction of the outer tube through filling and emptying.

[0019] With such a configuration, all the balloons in each balloon segment are isolated from each other and are configured to form a wave transmitted along the axial direction of the outer tube through filling and emptying. The balloon segments as a whole form a wavy peristalsis, so that the intestinal tube can be gently and efficiently nested. The nesting amplitude of the intestinal tube is small, which can reduce the risk of intestinal wall injury. In addition, the operation is simple and efficient, which is beneficial to shortening the operation time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the provided drawings are used to better understand the present utility model and do not constitute any limitation to the scope of the present utility model. Among them:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the balloon-equipped tube according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0022] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an enlarged schematic view of part A of the balloon-equipped tube.

[0023] Figure 3 is Figure 1 an enlarged schematic view of part B of the balloon-equipped tube.

[0024] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the module of the balloon-assisted system according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0025] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an example of the cylinder drive assembly according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another example of the cylinder drive assembly according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0027] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the operation process of the balloon-assisted system according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0028] In the accompanying drawings: 1 - tube with balloon; 11 - outer tube; 111 - first channel; 112 - second channel; 113 - protrusion; 114 - endoscope interface; 12 - balloon section; 120 - balloon; 2 - cylinder drive assembly; 21 - rotating shaft; 22 - tilting member; 220 - tilting surface; 23 - connecting pin; 24 - linear motor; 3 - cylinder; 31 - piston; 32 - reset member; 4 - control module; 5 - pressure sensor; 6 - external signal control module; 61 - communication interface; 7 - balloon control interface; 71 - ventilation tube; 9 - main control device; 91 - display screen; 92 - buzzer. Detailed implementation manners

[0029] To make the objectives, advantages and features of the present utility model clearer, the following further elaborates on the present utility model in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings are in very simplified forms and not drawn to scale, merely for the convenience and clarity of assisting in explaining the objectives of the embodiments of the present utility model. In addition, the structures shown in the accompanying drawings are often part of the actual structures. In particular, the accompanying drawings need to show different focuses and sometimes different scales are adopted.

[0030] As used in the present utility model, the singular forms "a", "an", "one" and "the" include plural referents, the term "or" is generally used in the sense of including "and / or", the term "several" is generally used in the sense of including "at least one", the term "at least two" is generally used in the sense of including "two or more", in addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first", "second", "third" may explicitly or implicitly include one or at least two of such features. "One end" and "the other end", as well as "proximal end" and "distal end" generally refer to two corresponding parts, which include not only the endpoints. The terms "proximal end" and "distal end" are defined herein relative to the balloon catheter, which has one end for intervening in the human body and a control end extending outside the body. The term "proximal end" refers to the position closer to the control end of the balloon catheter extending outside the body, and the term "distal end" refers to the position closer to the end of the balloon catheter intervening in the human body and thus farther from the control end of the balloon catheter. Optionally, in manually or hand-operated application scenarios, the terms "proximal end" and "distal end" are defined herein relative to an operator such as a surgeon or a clinician. The term "proximal end" refers to the position closer to the operator, and the term "distal end" refers to the position closer to the balloon catheter and thus farther from the operator. In addition, as used in the present utility model, "mounted", "connected", "coupled", an element "disposed" on another element should be understood in a broad sense, generally only indicating that there is a connection, coupling, cooperation or transmission relationship between the two elements, and the two elements can be directly or indirectly connected, coupled, cooperated or transmitted through an intermediate element, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying the spatial position relationship between the two elements, that is, an element can be in any position such as inside, outside, above, below or on one side of another element, unless otherwise expressly stated. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances. In addition, directional terms such as above, below, up, down, upward, downward, left, right, etc. are used relative to the exemplary embodiments as shown in the figures, with the upward or upward direction facing the top of the corresponding figure and the downward or downward direction facing the bottom of the corresponding figure.

[0031] The purpose of the present utility model is to provide a balloon catheter and a balloon-assisted system to solve the problems of low efficiency in existing intestinal examinations and easy damage to the intestinal wall. The following is a description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3, an embodiment of the present utility model provides a tube 1 with a balloon, which includes: an outer tube 11 and i balloon segments 12 provided on the outer tube 11, where i is a positive integer; each of the balloon segments 12 includes two or more balloons 120 arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the outer sleeve tube 11, and the radial dimension of the balloon 120 along the outer tube 11 expands when filled and shrinks when emptied. Among them, in each of the balloon segments 12, all the balloons 120 are isolated from each other and all the balloons 120 are configured to form fluctuations transmitted along the axial direction of the outer tube 11 through filling and emptying. That is to say, the entire balloon segment 12 forms a wavy dynamic undulating shape, and the wave transmission direction is along the axial direction of the outer tube 11.

[0033] The number of balloons 120 in each balloon segment 12 can be two or more, preferably 4 - 6. The number of balloon segments 12 (i.e., the value of i) is preferably more than two, more preferably 4 - 6. Figures 1 to 3 In the shown exemplary example, i = 6, that is, the tube 1 with a balloon includes 6 balloon segments 12, taking Figure 2 one of the shown balloon segments 12 as an example, which contains 4 mutually isolated balloons 120, namely balloon 120a, balloon 120b, balloon 120c, and balloon 120d in sequence from the distal end to the proximal end of the outer tube 11. In an alternative exemplary example, the 4 balloons 120 are preferably of the same size, the same material, and have the same axial distance between each other. Since different balloons 120 are isolated from each other, they can be filled or emptied separately, so as to realize independent expansion or contraction. It should be noted that here, the filling or emptying can use gas as the medium or liquid as the medium, and this embodiment is not limited thereto, but preferably uses gas as the medium.

[0034] In one of the embodiments, as Figure 3 shown, the outer tube 11 has a first channel 111 extending along its own axial direction, and different balloons 120 in the same balloon segment 12 communicate with different first channels 111 correspondingly. For example, the outer tube 11 can be provided with communication holes at the positions corresponding to the balloons 120 to connect the balloons 120 and the corresponding first channels 111. The proximal end of the first channel 111 can be connected to the main control device 9 through a ventilation pipe 71 (see the following description for details), and then the filling or emptying of different balloons 120 can be realized in sequence through different first channels 111 of the outer tube 11. It should be noted that in some embodiments, one balloon 120 can only correspond to one first channel 111, for example, this first channel 111 is used for both filling and emptying. In other embodiments, one balloon 120 can also correspond to two or more first channels 111, for example, one balloon 120 corresponds to two first channels 111, one for filling and the other for emptying, and this embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0035] In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the balloon 120 is sleeved outside the outer tube 11 and connected to the outer wall of the outer tube 11. Each balloon 120 forms a ring shape like a tire. The balloon 120 preferably has elasticity and can be inflated to expand and deflated to contract. Further, the balloon 120 has a filled state and an emptied state. The balloon 120 is initially in the emptied state, at which time the radial dimension of the balloon 120 along the outer tube 11 is relatively at a minimum value. The balloon 120 contracts and preferably abuts against the outer wall of the outer tube 11. When the balloon 120 is filled, its outer diameter expands until it is filled to a preset pressure, and the balloon 120 switches to the filled state, at which time its radial dimension along the outer tube 11 is relatively at a maximum value. When the balloon 120 is in the filled state and is emptied, the outer diameter of the balloon 120 decreases and contracts until it switches to the emptied state.

[0036] The process in which the balloon 120 is filled from the emptied state to the filled state and then emptied to the emptied state is called a filling and emptying process of the balloon 120. Each balloon 120 can continuously repeat the filling and emptying process to repeatedly expand and contract. Preferably, in each of the balloon segments 12, the filling of the adjacent balloons 120 is sequentially delayed, and the emptying of the adjacent balloons 120 is sequentially delayed. It should be noted that the sequential delay in the filling of the balloon 120 can be understood in some embodiments as the sequential delay in the start time of the filling of the balloon 120, and in some other embodiments, it can also be understood as the sequential delay in the time when the balloon 120 is filled to the filled state. That is to say, the delay in the filling of the adjacent balloons 120 can be achieved by controlling the filling start time or by controlling the filling speed or filling flow rate. Similarly, the sequential delay in the emptying of the balloon 120 can be understood as the sequential delay in the start time of the emptying of the balloon 120 or as the sequential delay in the time when the balloon 120 is emptied to the emptied state.

[0037] Preferably, for a balloon segment 12, the filling and emptying processes of all the balloons 120 included therein are configured to be sequentially delayed along the axial direction of the outer tube 11. In Figure 2In the balloon segment 12 shown, the balloons 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d are arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the outer tube 11, that is, the balloons 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d are ranked first, second, third, and fourth in sequence. It can be understood that the inflation and deflation process of the balloon 120b is delayed relative to the inflation and deflation process of the balloon 120a, the inflation and deflation process of the balloon 120c is delayed relative to the inflation and deflation process of the balloon 120b, and the inflation and deflation process of the balloon 120d is delayed relative to the inflation and deflation process of the balloon 120c. It should be noted that for the delay of the inflation and deflation process here, the same reference benchmark can be selected. For example, the starting point of the inflation and deflation process of each balloon 120 can be used as the reference benchmark, that is, the moment when each balloon 120 starts to inflate is used as the reference benchmark. In this way, the sequential delay of the inflation and deflation processes of the four balloons 120 means that the moments when the balloons 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d start to inflate are sequentially delayed. Of course, the delay intervals of the sequential delay can be the same or different. With such a configuration, the balloon segment 12 can form a wavy peristalsis as a whole, so that the intestinal tube (such as the small intestine or the colon, etc.) can be gently and efficiently nested on the balloon segment 12. And the nesting amplitude of the intestinal tube is small, which can reduce the risk of intestinal wall injury. In addition, the operation is simple and efficient, which is beneficial to shortening the operation time. For example, the operation of enteroscopy using the existing technology takes 50 - 60 minutes, while using the tube 1 with a balloon and the balloon-assisted system provided in this embodiment can shorten the operation time by 30% - 50%.

[0038] Further, for the convenience of description, in a balloon segment 12, the process from the start of inflation of the first balloon 120 to the start of inflation of the last balloon 120 is defined as one wave of the balloon segment 12; the balloon segment 12 is configured to repeat the wave. The balloon segment 12 continuously and repeatedly waves in one direction, which can gradually nest the intestinal tube, is beneficial to improving the nesting efficiency and reducing the nesting amplitude, and further reducing the intestinal wall injury. It can be understood that the directions of the wave include two types: from the distal end to the proximal end and from the proximal end to the distal end, which can respectively correspond to the movement of the tube 1 with a balloon relative to the intestinal tube towards the distal end and towards the proximal end. Preferably, during the repeated wave of the balloon segment 12, the outer tube 11 can also be driven to move adaptively forward and backward along its own axis, so as to facilitate the more effective nesting and release of the intestinal tube.

[0039] In some embodiments, all the balloons 120 of the balloon segment 12 are in the same wave at the same moment. For a balloon segment 12, it is preferably to transmit only one wave at a time. At this time, it is necessary to wait until one wave is transmitted before starting the second wave. That is, after the balloon 120d ranked last starts to inflate, the balloon 120a ranked first can start to inflate again.

[0040] In some other embodiments, a balloon segment 12 may also transmit more than two fluctuations simultaneously. It can be understood that at this time, the first fluctuation has not ended yet, that is, the balloon 120d which is the last one in the sorting of the first fluctuation has not started to be inflated, and the balloon 120a which is the first one in the sorting has already started to be inflated again. The balloon segment 12 transmits more than two fluctuations simultaneously. This situation can be adapted to the case where the number of balloons 120 included in the same balloon segment 12 is relatively large.

[0041] Preferably, the total number of the balloons 120 is not less than 3. It should be noted that the total number of the balloons 120 here refers to the total number of the balloons 120 included in all the balloon segments 12. Of course, for i = 1, that is, for the balloon catheter 1 including only one balloon segment 12, the total number of its balloons 120 is also the sum of the numbers of the balloons 120 included in this balloon segment 12; when only one balloon segment 12 is included, this balloon segment 12 is preferably arranged in the region of the outer tube 11 close to the distal end. Further, the numbers of the balloons 120 in different balloon segments 12 may be the same or different. For i≥2, since the number of balloons 120 included in each balloon segment 12 is not less than two, the total number of the balloons 120 must be greater than 3. When the total number of the balloons 120 is not less than 3, all the balloons 120 can form a peristalsis similar to a fluctuation to improve the effect of intestinal intussusception.

[0042] Preferably, during the same wave, the delay interval t of the charging and discharging processes between all adjacent balloon 120s is the same. The wave interval T between two consecutive waves is T = t * j, where j is an integer not less than 2 and not greater than the number of balloons 120 in the balloon section 12. Here, the delay interval t refers to the time interval between the moments when two adjacent balloons 120 in sequence start to be filled. The same delay interval t ensures that each wave of the balloon section 12 is evenly transmitted. The wave interval T between two consecutive waves refers to the time interval between the start moments of two adjacent waves, that is, the time interval between the moment when the first balloon 120 of the previous wave starts to be filled and the moment when the first balloon 120 of the next wave starts to be filled. The setting of the wave interval T = t * j ensures that the consecutive waves are transmitted at an integer multiple interval of the charging and discharging processes of the balloons 120. It ensures the uniformity of the interval between consecutive waves and the charging and discharging processes of the balloons 120, which is beneficial to improving the formation of multiple wavy peristalsis of the entire tube 1 with balloons as a whole and enhancing the smoothness of the telescoping. Preferably, j is equal to the number of balloons 120 in the balloon section 12, that is, at this time, after the end of the previous wave, the next wave starts immediately, and the immediate interval is also equal to the delay interval t, so that the waves are periodically repeated. Particularly, when there are multiple balloon sections 12, the waves of the multiple balloon sections 12 can be transmitted continuously in sequence. Specifically, the inflation speeds and maximum inflations of the balloons 120 in the same sequence in the multiple balloon sections 12 are the same. For example, the balloons 120 ranked first in each balloon section 12 are inflated and deflated synchronously, the balloons 120 ranked second are inflated and deflated synchronously, and so on. And the phase intervals of the charging and discharging of the balloons 120 in the same balloon section 12 are evenly distributed.

[0043] Preferably, i is an integer not less than 2, and all the balloon sections 12 are arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the outer tube 11; the balloons 120 with the same sequence in all the balloon sections 12 are interconnected to form two or more balloon groups. With such a configuration, all the balloons 120 in each balloon group are filled or emptied synchronously, and multiple balloons 120 can be driven by a small number of driving devices (such as the cylinder 3, details will be described later), thereby effectively improving the driving efficiency and driving smoothness.

[0044] Continue to take Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown as an example for illustration. Figure 1The tube 1 with a balloon shown contains 6 balloon segments 12, and each balloon segment 12 contains 4 balloons 120. The 4 balloons in each balloon segment 12 are sorted in the same direction, which are balloon 120a, balloon 120b, balloon 120c, and balloon 120d in sequence. Thus, the balloons 120 with the same sorting in all balloon segments 12 are the balloons 120 with the same trailing label letter. For example, the balloons 120a that are respectively in the first sorting position in the 6 balloon segments 12 are interconnected to form balloon group a. And so on, it can be understood that Figure 1 All the balloons 120 of the tube 1 with a balloon shown can be divided into 4 balloon groups, namely balloon group a, balloon group b, balloon group c, and balloon group d. Different balloon groups are isolated from each other, and the balloons 120 in the same balloon group are filled and emptied synchronously, that is, the filling and emptying processes of the balloons 120 in the same balloon group are synchronous. Thus, the whole tube 1 with a balloon forms multiple wavy peristalsis as a whole, further improving the intussusception efficiency. Optionally, the balloons 120 in the same balloon group can share the same first channel 111 so that the balloons 120 can be filled and emptied synchronously. It should be noted that Figure 1 The tube 1 with a balloon shown is only an example rather than a limitation on the number and arrangement of the balloons 120, balloon segments 12, and balloon groups. In other embodiments, those skilled in the art can set the number and arrangement of the balloons 120, balloon segments 12, and balloon groups differently according to actual needs.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 3 , optionally, the outer tube 11 has a second channel 112 extending along its own axial direction, and the second channel 112 is used for the endoscope to movably pass through; wherein, the inner wall of the second channel 112 has a convex 113 arranged inward, and the convex 113 extends along the axial direction of the second channel 112.

[0046] In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the second channel 112 is provided to penetrate along the axis of the outer tube 11. It should be understood that since the outer tube 11 is preferably a flexible tube, it can be bent along with the body cavity during application. At this time, the axis of the outer tube 11 should also be understood to bend along with the bending of the outer tube 11. The second channel 112 is the central hole of the outer tube 11, which is mainly used for an endoscope (not shown) to pass through during use. Therefore, its cross-sectional size is relatively larger than that of the first channel 111 to facilitate the forward and backward movement of the endoscope along its axis. Optionally, the cavity wall of the second channel 112 has more than two protrusions 113, and the shapes and sizes of all the protrusions 113 are preferably the same. With such a configuration, when the endoscope moves forward and backward in the second channel 112, it mainly contacts the inner surfaces of more than two protrusions, thereby reducing the contact area and frictional resistance compared to the solution without the protrusions 113, facilitating the operation of the endoscope. Further, the shape of the protrusion 113 in the cross-sectional direction of the outer tube 11 is preferably an arc protruding inward, and the endoscope and the protrusion 113 can form a line contact, further reducing the contact area and frictional resistance. Preferably, the inscribed circle diameter of the multiple protrusions 113 is adapted to the outer diameter of the endoscope, or the inscribed circle diameter of the multiple protrusions 113 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the endoscope.

[0047] In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the outer tube 11 has more than two first channels 111 extending along its own axis, and different balloons 120 in the same balloon section 12 communicate with different first channels 111 correspondingly; all the first channels 111 are arranged circumferentially along the second channel 112. For example, all the first channels 111 are respectively opened in the tube wall of the outer tube 11, and the protrusions 113 correspond to the first channels 111 in the circumferential direction of the second channel 112. Since the overall cross-sectional size of the balloon-bearing tube 1 is limited and its wall thickness is also limited. By arranging the protrusions 113 corresponding to the positions formed by the opening of the first channels 111, the space can be effectively utilized, and under the limited cross-sectional size, a second channel 112 and a first channel 111 as large as possible can be obtained.

[0048] Please refer to Figures 4 to 6, embodiments of the present utility model further provide a balloon assist system, which includes the tube 1 with a balloon as described above, and further includes a main control device 9. The main control device 9 includes a cylinder drive assembly 2 and more than two cylinders 3. Different balloons 120 of the same balloon segment 12 are correspondingly connected to different cylinders 3. The cylinder drive assembly 2 is configured to drive different cylinders 3 in sequence to inflate or deflate the corresponding balloons 120. It can be understood that in the application of the above-mentioned tube 1 with a balloon, the balloon 120 needs to be continuously inflated and deflated, and the sequence or inflation and deflation speed of the inflation and deflation processes of different balloons 120 needs to be controlled. Through the setting of the cylinder drive assembly 2 and the cylinders 3, this can be achieved. It can be understood that when the tube 1 with a balloon includes more than two balloon segments 12, each balloon 120 is configured into several balloon groups, and each balloon group is correspondingly connected to a cylinder 3. Optionally, each balloon group is connected to a cylinder 3 through a shared first channel 111. Different balloon groups are connected to different cylinders 3. In some embodiments, the cylinder drive assembly 2 can inflate or deflate the balloon 120 by driving the piston of the cylinder 3. In some other embodiments, the inflation of the balloon 120 can be achieved by the cylinder drive assembly 2 driving the piston of the cylinder 3, while the deflation of the balloon 120 can be achieved through another first channel 111 and a drain valve. Optionally, the number of cylinders 3 can be the same as the number of balloons 120 in the balloon segment 12, or can be greater than the number of balloons 120 as a backup. Thus, the main control device 9 can be adapted to the tube 1 with a balloon having different numbers of balloons 120. Preferably, the number of cylinders 3 is 4 to 6.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 5 , in one example, the cylinder drive assembly 2 includes a rotating shaft 21 and an inclined member 22. The inclined member 22 is connected to the rotating shaft 21 and is configured to rotate with the rotating shaft 21. The inclined member 22 has an inclined surface 220 that forms an angle with the rotating shaft 21. More than two cylinders 3 are arranged circumferentially around the rotating shaft 21, and the pistons 31 of all the cylinders 3 are in contact with the inclined surface 220. A reset member 32 is provided on the piston. When the inclined member 22 rotates with the rotating shaft 21, the piston 31 reciprocates in a direction parallel to the rotating shaft 21 under the drive of the inclined surface 220 and the reset action of the reset member 32. Further, each balloon 120 in the balloon segment 12 is sequentially connected to the cylinders 3 arranged circumferentially around the rotating shaft 21 according to its sequence.

[0050] It should be noted that the inclined surface 220 is arranged at an angle with the rotating shaft 21, which means they are not perpendicular but form a certain angle. Optionally, the angle between the inclined surface 220 and the rotating shaft 21 can be adjusted by an adjusting component (such as a motor) to adjust the movement stroke of the piston 31. It can be understood that the smaller the angle between the inclined surface 220 and the rotating shaft 21, the larger the movement stroke of the piston 31. Consequently, the inflation diameter of the balloon 120 is larger. When the inclined surface 220 and the rotating shaft 21 are perpendicular to each other, the movement stroke of the piston 31 is zero.

[0051] Optionally, the inclined member 22 can be, for example, a circular sheet member, which is connected to the rotating shaft 21 through a connecting pin 23. The inclined surface 220 is in abutting connection with the piston 31. It can be understood that since the inclined surface 220 is arranged at an angle with the rotating shaft 21, when the rotating shaft 21 rotates, the inclined surface 220 will sequentially compress each piston 31 arranged circumferentially, thereby forming sequential filling of the balloon 120. In one embodiment, the reset member 32 includes, for example, a piston return spring, which is used to apply an elastic force towards the reset direction to the piston 31, so that the piston 31 can recover when not compressed by the inclined surface 220, enabling the piston 31 to always abut against the inclined surface 220.

[0052] It can be understood that the inclined member 22 is not limited to being a circular sheet member, and its connection with the piston 31 is not limited to abutting connection. In some other embodiments, the inclined member 22 can also be connected to each piston 31 through a spherical hinge, in which case the setting of the reset member 32 can be omitted.

[0053] Please refer to Figure 6 , in another alternative example, the cylinder driving assembly 2 includes more than two linear motors 24, and the linear motors 24 are connected to the pistons 31 of the cylinder 3 in a one-to-one correspondence. Each linear motor 24 is used to drive the corresponding piston 31 to reciprocate. Different from the example shown in Figure 5 the example shown, Figure 6 the example shown does not require the setting of a complex mechanical structure, does not need to adjust the stroke and driving sequence of each piston 31 in a mechanical manner, but can control the movement of the piston 31 of each cylinder 3 through a preset program.

[0054] Optionally, the main control device 9 further includes components such as a control module 4 and an external signal control module 6. Among them, the control module 4 is used to control the operation of the cylinder driving assembly 2. The control module 4 can be, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC), a workstation or a computer and other devices with a certain computing power. Preferably, the balloon assistance system further includes more than two pressure sensors 5, and each cylinder 3 is connected to one pressure sensor 5. The pressure sensor 5 is preferably arranged at the output end of the cylinder 3 and is used to monitor the pressure of the cylinder 3 and the balloon 120.

[0055] The inflation pressure threshold of the balloon 120 can be set differently according to different patients and different sizes of the balloon 120, etc. For example, in a demonstration example, the inflation pressure threshold of the balloon 120 can be configured to be 5 kPa to 7 kPa. When the pressure sensor 5 monitors that the pressure of the cylinder 3 and the balloon 120 exceeds the preset inflation pressure threshold, it can send an overpressure signal to the control module 4. The control module 4 can then make corresponding responses based on the obtained overpressure signal, such as stopping the operation of the cylinder drive assembly 2 or sending an alarm signal to the buzzer 92 to give an alarm through the buzzer 92 (see the description below).

[0056] The external signal control module 6 is communicatively connected to the control module 4 through the communication interface 61. The external signal control module 6 is used to send control signals to the control module 4. The control signals include, for example: inflation (referring to the balloon 120), deflation (referring to the balloon 120), forward (referring to the direction of wave transmission from the distal end to the proximal end), backward (referring to the direction of wave transmission from the proximal end to the distal end), pause and other actions. After receiving the control signal, the control module 4 automatically or manually controls the cylinder 3 according to the predetermined program and the pressure signal feedback by the pressure sensor 5 to achieve the control of each balloon 120 and the movement control of the balloon section 12.

[0057] Optionally, a balloon control interface 7 is also provided on the main control device 9. The outer tube 11 of the tube 1 with a balloon is detachably mounted on the balloon control interface 7 through the ventilation tube 71. When the outer tube 11 is connected to the balloon control interface 7 through the ventilation tube 71, several first channels 111 of the outer tube 11 are respectively communicated with the corresponding cylinders 3. Preferably, the proximal end of the outer tube 11 also has an endoscope interface 114, and the endoscope interface 114 is used for the endoscope to be adaptively connected and inserted. Preferably, the tube 1 with a balloon is a disposable consumable, while the endoscope and the main control device 9 are reusable devices.

[0058] Optionally, the main control device 9 further includes a display screen 91 and a buzzer 92. The display screen 91 can be used to display the real-time status of each balloon section 12 and each balloon 120 currently to provide auxiliary information to the operator, which helps the operator to judge. The buzzer 92 is configured to give a buzzer alarm when receiving an alarm signal from the control module 4.

[0059] Optionally, the balloon assistance system further includes an endoscope, and the endoscope is movably disposed through the outer tube 11 of the tube 1 with a balloon. The endoscope can be, for example, a small intestine endoscope or a colonoscope, etc., and those skilled in the art can select and configure according to the actual situation.

[0060] Please refer to Figure 7 which shows the operation process of the balloon assistance system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It specifically includes:

[0061] Step S1: Connect the tube 1 with the balloon to the main control device 9; specifically, the outer tube 11 can be connected to the balloon control interface 7 through the ventilation tube 71.

[0062] Step S2: Power on the device and perform self-check. If the self-check fails, return to Step S1 to prompt for checking the connection and wait for the operator to reconnect the tube 1 with the balloon. After the self-check passes, proceed to the next Step S3.

[0063] Step S3: Perform an external test on the airtightness and movement control of the balloon.

[0064] Step S4: Apply lubricant and insert the tube 1 with the balloon and the endoscope into the body cavity for use.

[0065] Optionally, Step S4 includes Step S41: Pressure monitoring and alarm step, and its specific principle and steps can refer to the above description about the pressure sensor 5, the control module 4, and the buzzer 92.

[0066] Optionally, Step S4 includes Step S42: Instruction-driven step. Specifically, receive the control signal sent by the external signal control module 6 and execute the corresponding driving action, and its specific principle and steps can refer to the above description about the external signal control module 6, the control module 4, the cylinder driving assembly 2, and the cylinder 3.

[0067] The embodiment of the present utility model also provides a control method for the tube with a balloon, which is used to control the tube 1 with a balloon as described above. The control method for the tube with a balloon includes:

[0068] In each of the balloon segments 12, by filling and emptying the balloon 120, a wave is formed that propagates along the axial direction of the outer tube 11.

[0069] Optionally, in each of the balloon segments 12, the filling of adjacent balloons 120 is sequentially delayed, and the emptying of adjacent balloons 120 is sequentially delayed.

[0070] Optionally, all the balloons 120 in each of the balloon segments 12 are in the same wave at the same time.

[0071] Optionally, in the same wave, the delay interval t between the filling and emptying processes of all adjacent balloons 120 is the same, and the wave interval T between two consecutive waves is T = t * j, where j is an integer not less than 2 and j is not greater than the number of balloons 120 in the balloon segment 12.

[0072] Optionally, the control method for the tube with a balloon further includes: synchronously filling or emptying the balloons 120 with the same sorting in all the balloon segments 12.

[0073] The specific steps and principles of the control method of the tube with a balloon can be referred to the previous description of the tube 1 with a balloon, which will not be repeated here.

[0074] In summary, in the tube with a balloon, the balloon-assisted system and the control method of the tube with a balloon provided by the present invention, the tube with a balloon includes: an outer tube and i balloon segments provided on the outer tube, where i is a positive integer; each balloon segment includes two or more balloons arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the outer tube; the radial dimension of the balloon along the outer tube expands when filled and shrinks when emptied; the total number of balloons in all the balloon segments is not less than 3; wherein, in each balloon segment, all the balloons are isolated from each other and all the balloons are configured to form a wave transmitted along the axial direction of the outer tube through filling and emptying. With such a configuration, all the balloons in each balloon segment are isolated from each other and are configured to form a wave transmitted along the axial direction of the outer tube through filling and emptying, and the balloon segment as a whole forms a wavy peristalsis, so that the intestinal tube can be gently and efficiently nested. The nesting amplitude of the intestinal tube is small, and the risk of intestinal wall injury can be reduced. In addition, the operation is simple and efficient, which is beneficial to shortening the operation time.

[0075] It should be noted that the above-mentioned several embodiments can be combined with each other. The above description is only a description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Any changes and modifications made by those of ordinary skill in the field of the present invention according to the above disclosure are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tube with a balloon, characterized in that: The invention comprises: an outer tube and i balloon segments arranged on the outer tube, i being a positive integer; each of the balloon segments comprises two or more balloons arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the outer tube; the radial dimension of the balloon along the outer tube expands when being filled and shrinks when being emptied; The total number of the balloons in all the balloon segments is not less than 3; wherein, in each of the balloon segments, all the balloons are isolated from each other and are configured to form fluctuations transmitted along the axial direction of the outer tube through filling and emptying.

2. The tube with a balloon according to claim 1, characterized in that i is an integer not less than 2, and all the balloon segments are arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the outer tube; the balloons in the same order in all the balloon segments are interconnected to form more than two balloon groups.

3. The tube with a balloon according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The balloon segments are configured to repeatedly undulate.

4. The tube with a balloon according to claim 1, characterized in that The outer tube has more than two first lumens extending along its own axial direction, and different balloons in the same balloon segment are correspondingly connected to different first lumens.

5. The tube with a balloon according to claim 1, characterized in that The outer tube has a second cavity extending along its own axial direction; the cavity wall of the second cavity has a protrusion arranged inwardly, and the protrusion extends along the axial direction of the second cavity.

6. The tube with a balloon according to claim 5, characterized in that The outer tube has more than two first lumens extending along its own axial direction, and different balloons in the same balloon segment are correspondingly connected to different first lumens; all the first lumens are arranged along the circumference of the second lumen, and the protrusion corresponds to the first lumen in the circumference of the second lumen.

7. A balloon-assisted system, characterized in that: It comprises a tube with a balloon according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and also comprises a cylinder drive assembly and two or more cylinders; different balloons of the same balloon segment are correspondingly connected to different cylinders; the cylinder drive assembly is configured to drive different cylinders in sequence to fill or empty the corresponding balloons.

8. The balloon-assisted system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The cylinder drive assembly includes a rotating shaft and an inclined member, wherein the inclined member is connected to the rotating shaft and is configured to rotate with the rotating shaft; the inclined member has an inclined surface that is angled with the rotating shaft; More than two cylinders are arranged circumferentially around the rotating shaft, and the pistons of all the cylinders are in contact with the inclined surface; a reset member is provided on the piston, and when the inclined member rotates with the rotating shaft, the piston reciprocates in a direction parallel to the rotating shaft through the drive of the inclined surface and the reset action of the reset member.

9. The balloon-assisted system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The cylinder drive assembly includes more than two linear motors, which are connected to the pistons of the cylinders in a one-to-one correspondence, and each linear motor is used to drive the corresponding piston to reciprocate.

10. The balloon-assisted system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The balloon-assisted system also includes more than two pressure sensors, and each of the cylinders is connected to a pressure sensor.

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