Novel epidural catheter

Abstract

The utility model relates to a novel epidural catheter which comprises a main tube, an end tube and an information acquisition component, the end tube comprises a connecting end and an open end, the connecting end is connected with one end of the main tube to enable the inside of the end tube to be communicated with the inside of the main tube, and the information acquisition component is arranged in the end tube to acquire image information at the open end. According to the novel epidural catheter, due to the fact that the technical means that the information collection assembly is arranged in the end tube is adopted, image information at the open end can be collected in real time, visualization support of the catheter can be directly provided, the problems that in the prior art, an indirect visualization technology is depended on, and the high skill requirement is met are effectively solved, and then the technical effect of improving the visual effect is achieved. By means of the technical scheme, accurate monitoring of the position of the catheter and visualization of the operation process are achieved, the epidural catheter can be placed more safely and conveniently, dependence on experience of medical workers is reduced, and operation errors and potential risks of patients are reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to an epidural catheter, especially a visual new epidural catheter. BACKGROUND

[0002] Intravertebral anesthesia is a common and important clinical anesthesia method, which is widely used in various surgical operations, especially abdominal, pelvic and lower limb operations. As one of the main methods of intravertebral anesthesia, epidural anesthesia achieves anesthesia effect by injecting anesthetic into the epidural space. In clinical practice, epidural anesthesia is not only widely used in the perioperative period, but also helps postoperative analgesia.

[0003] At present, the placement of epidural catheter generally depends on the clinical experience and anatomical knowledge of doctors. In the existing design of epidural catheter, the most common method is to place the catheter into the patient's body through an epidural puncture needle, and the anesthetic enters the epidural space through the front end of the catheter to play an anesthetic effect. And because the exact position of the catheter cannot be directly visualized, the placement of the catheter often depends on the clinical skills and experience of the doctor, or assisted by ultrasound, X-ray and other imaging techniques. Some new epidural catheters, such as catheters using ultrasound enhanced imaging technology, set an ultrasound imaging enhanced area in the catheter to help doctors determine the relative position of the catheter and the epidural space.

[0004] However, although the existing new epidural catheter improves the safety of the operation to some extent, it still faces some limitations, for example, the ultrasound technology requires doctors to have a high skill level and depends on the quality of the ultrasound image, which is difficult to operate, and cannot achieve direct visualization. First of all, the existing visual epidural catheter still relies on indirect visualization technology, such as ultrasound imaging enhanced area, which cannot realize real-time monitoring of the exact position of the catheter, especially when the anatomical structure is complex or the patient's body position is unstable, which is prone to operation errors. Secondly, the design of the ultrasound imaging enhanced area requires high technical requirements and the operation process is relatively complicated, which requires doctors to have rich clinical experience, which increases the difficulty and risk of operation for some inexperienced medical staff. Therefore, it is urgent to design a new epidural catheter to solve the above problems. UTILITY MODEL CONTENT

[0005] The utility model aims at providing a new epidural catheter which can provide more intuitive and accurate visual support.

[0006] The utility model solves the above problems by adopting the following technical scheme: a new epidural catheter comprises:

[0007] A main pipe.

[0008] An end pipe comprising a connecting end and an open end, the connecting end being connected with one end of the main pipe, so that the interior of the end pipe communicates with the interior of the main pipe.

[0009] An information collecting component arranged in the end pipe to collect image information at the open end.

[0010] Preferably, the catheter further comprises a light source arranged in the end pipe to increase the brightness of the environment around the information collecting component.

[0011] Preferably, the catheter further comprises an infrared light source arranged separately from the catheter, the infrared light source being configured to emit infrared light to irradiate the skin of the patient at a position corresponding to the end pipe when the end pipe is in the patient's body, so as to increase the brightness of the environment around the information collecting component.

[0012] Preferably, the information collecting component comprises:

[0013] A mounting portion arranged in the end pipe, and the outer circumferential side of the mounting portion is attached to the inner circumferential side of the end pipe, and a mounting groove is formed on the side of the mounting portion facing the open end.

[0014] A shooting module arranged in the mounting groove.

[0015] A transparent end cover arranged on the side of the mounting portion facing the open end, and the side of the transparent end cover facing the mounting portion is enclosed with the inner wall of the mounting groove to form a sealed space, so that the shooting module in the mounting groove is independent of the external environment.

[0016] A traction component comprising a traction end connected with the information collecting component, and the traction end is controlled to move.

[0017] Preferably, after the end pipe moves to a target position in the patient's body, the traction end of the traction component pulls the information collecting component to move relative to the main pipe, so that the information collecting component is separated from the main pipe.

[0018] Preferably, the side of the transparent end cover away from the mounting portion is configured to be flush with the end of the end pipe away from the main pipe when the end pipe moves in the patient's body.

[0019] Preferably, the mounting portion comprises a receiving groove and an open mouth in communication with the receiving groove, the open mouth is formed on the side of the mounting portion away from the shooting module, and a communication groove is formed on the inner wall of the receiving groove, the communication groove comprises a first groove segment and a second groove segment, the first groove segment is formed in a first direction, and the first direction is the extension direction of the end pipe, and the second groove segment is formed in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0020] A limiting groove is formed in the inner wall of the end pipe corresponding to the communication groove.

[0021] The pulling end is controlled to rotate.

[0022] The information collection assembly further comprises:

[0023] A driving block is arranged in the accommodating groove, and the driving block is connected with the pulling end of the pulling assembly so that the driving block is limited to rotate or move in the first direction, and the rotation axis of the driving block is parallel to the first direction.

[0024] A first elastic member is arranged in the accommodating groove, and the first elastic member is arranged between the driving block and the inner wall of the side of the accommodating groove facing the transparent end cover, so as to apply an elastic force to the driving block, which is directed to the opening.

[0025] A positioning member is controlled to move, and the positioning member is arranged at the driving block, and an end of the positioning member away from the driving block is configured with an arc-shaped chamfer.

[0026] The information collection assembly comprises a locked state and an unlocked state, when the information collection assembly is in the locked state, the end of the positioning member away from the driving block passes through the first groove segment and moves to the limiting groove, and the side of the positioning member away from the transparent end cover abuts against the inner wall of the side of the limiting groove facing the transparent end cover under the action of the first elastic member; when the information collection assembly is in the unlocked state, the driving block drives the positioning member to move to the second groove segment in the first direction, and the driving block drives the positioning member to rotate, so that the arc-shaped chamfer of the positioning member abuts against the inner wall of the limiting groove, and the end of the positioning member away from the driving block moves to the second groove segment.

[0027] Preferably, the information collection assembly further comprises:

[0028] A fixing seat is arranged at the driving block, and a telescopic groove is formed in the side of the fixing seat away from the driving block.

[0029] A second elastic member is arranged in the telescopic groove, and one end of the second elastic member abuts against the inner wall of the telescopic groove.

[0030] The end of the positioning member facing the driving block is movably inserted into the telescopic groove, and abuts against the other end of the second elastic member, so as to receive the pushing force of the second elastic member, which is directed to the limiting groove.

[0031] Preferably, the side of the driving block facing the shooting module is provided with a guide groove.

[0032] The information collection assembly further comprises a guide shaft, one end of the guide shaft is arranged at the center of the accommodating groove towards the open side inner wall, the axial direction of the guide shaft is parallel to the first direction, and the end of the guide shaft away from the shooting module is movably inserted into the guide groove, so that the moving direction of the driving block is parallel to the first direction, and the rotation axis of the driving block is collinear with the axis of the guide shaft.

[0033] Preferably, the catheter further comprises:

[0034] A connecting piece comprising a fluid channel, the connecting piece is arranged at one end of the main pipe away from the end pipe, so that the fluid channel is in communication with the inside of the main pipe.

[0035] A connecting pipe is arranged at one side of the connecting piece away from the main pipe, and the inside of the connecting pipe is in communication with the fluid channel.

[0036] A third elastic piece, one end of the third elastic piece is connected with the connecting piece.

[0037] A pulling piece is arranged at one end of the third elastic piece away from the connecting piece.

[0038] Preferably, the catheter further comprises a clamping assembly comprising:

[0039] A plurality of clamping pieces, the plurality of clamping pieces are arranged at one side of the connecting piece towards the main pipe, and the plurality of clamping pieces are arranged around the circumferential side of one end of the main pipe away from the end pipe, one side of the plurality of clamping pieces towards the main pipe forms a clamping surface, one side of the plurality of clamping pieces away from the main pipe forms a pressure receiving surface, and the pressure receiving surface is provided with threads.

[0040] A constriction ring is sleeved outside the pressure receiving surface, and the inner wall of the constriction ring is threadedly connected with the pressure receiving surface, and the inner wall of the constriction ring is configured to apply pressure to the pressure receiving surface when moving in a direction away from the connecting piece, so that each clamping piece is folded towards the main pipe, and the clamping surface abuts against the outer surface of the main pipe.

[0041] The beneficial effects of the embodiments in the utility model

[0042] 1. By arranging the information collection assembly in the end pipe, the image information at the open end can be collected in real time, and the visualization support of the catheter is directly provided, the problem of relying on indirect visualization technology and high skill requirement in the prior art is effectively solved, and then the precise monitoring of the catheter position and the visualization of the operation process are realized, so that the placement of the epidural catheter is safer and more convenient, the dependence on the experience of medical staff is reduced, and the operation error and the potential risk of patients are reduced.

[0043] 2. The use of infrared light sources to emit infrared light onto the patient's skin at the location corresponding to the end tube when it is inserted into the patient's body effectively increases the brightness of the environment around the information acquisition assembly, thereby enhancing the clarity and accuracy of the image information acquisition, effectively solving the problem of difficult image acquisition in complex or low-light environments in the prior art, and achieving real-time visualization during epidural catheter placement, improving the safety and accuracy of the operation, reducing the operation error and the experience requirement of medical personnel, and ensuring the safety of the patient.

[0044] 3. The use of a traction assembly, a driving block, a first elastic member, and a positioning member in the information acquisition assembly enables the information acquisition assembly to move relative to the main tube after the catheter is moved to the target position in the patient's body, thereby achieving independent separation of the information acquisition assembly. Specifically, through the rotation or movement in the first direction of the driving block, and the controllable rotation and positioning of the positioning member, the stability of the information acquisition assembly in the catheter is effectively solved, and the information acquisition assembly can be conveniently unlocked and separated when needed. This design enables the information acquisition assembly to be accurately positioned in the catheter, and through the locking and unlocking mechanism of the positioning member during operation, the reliability and flexibility of the assembly are improved. Further, higher precision and safety of the epidural catheter are achieved, the difficulty of operation for medical personnel is reduced, and the overall operation convenience and safety are improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045] Figure 1 is a schematic structural view of the catheter in the embodiment of the present utility model.

[0046] Figure 2 is a schematic exploded view of the catheter in the embodiment of the present utility model.

[0047] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the information acquisition assembly and the end tube in the connected state. Figure 1 .

[0048] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of A in the embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 3

[0049] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the information acquisition assembly and the end tube in the connected state. Figure 2 .

[0050] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the information acquisition assembly and the end tube in the connected state.

[0051] Figure 7 is a schematic structural view of the positioning member in the embodiment of the present utility model.​

[0052] 10, a main pipe; 20, an end pipe; 210, a connecting end; 220, an open end; 230, a limiting groove; 30, an information collection assembly; 310, a mounting portion; 311, a mounting groove; 312, a containing groove; 313, an opening; 314, a communication groove; 3141, a first groove segment; 3142, a second groove segment; 320, a shooting module; 330, a transparent end cover; 340, a traction assembly; 341, a traction end; 350, a driving block; 351, a guide groove; 360, a first elastic member; 370, a positioning member; 371, an arc-shaped chamfer; 380, a fixing seat; 381, an extension groove; 390, a second elastic member; 3100, a guide shaft; 40, a connecting piece; 410, a fluid channel; 50, a connecting pipe; 60, a third elastic member; 70, a pulling member; 80, an embracing assembly; 810, an embracing member; 820, a constricting ring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The specific embodiments of the present application will be further described in conjunction with the drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate the present application, but not to limit the scope of the present application.

[0054] In the description of the present application, it needs to be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the purpose of facilitating the description of the present application and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the devices or elements indicated must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second" and the like are only for the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, the features limited by "first", "second" and the like can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified and limited, the term "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0055] In the description of the present application, it needs to be understood that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connecting" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the communication inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0056] As Figures 1 to 3As shown, the preferred embodiment of the present application provides a new epidural catheter, which comprises a main tube 10, an end tube 20 and an information acquisition assembly 30. The end tube 20 comprises a connecting end 210 and an open end 220, the connecting end 210 is connected with one end of the main tube 10, so that the interior of the end tube 20 communicates with the interior of the main tube 10, and the information acquisition assembly 30 is arranged in the end tube 20 to acquire image information at the open end 220.

[0057] Specifically, the main tube 10 is the main part of the epidural catheter, which is usually made of a material with biological compatibility and certain rigidity, such as medical-grade plastic. The interior of the main tube 10 is a hollow structure, which is used to guide the anesthetic drug and data transmission of the information acquisition assembly 30. The end tube 20 is used to deliver the anesthetic drug and realize the work of the information acquisition assembly 30. The material of the end tube 20 is usually soft or semi-soft, which has certain hardness while ensuring comfort and operability to adapt to the specific application of epidural anesthesia.

[0058] In use, the doctor inserts the epidural catheter into the epidural space of the patient through the epidural puncture needle. During this process, the open end 220 of the end tube 20 is moved to the target position of the patient, and the information acquisition assembly 30 acquires image information around the open end 220 in real time and transmits the information to the external monitoring device or display screen through data transmission. The information acquisition assembly 30 continuously acquires image information at the open end 220 through the shooting module 320, which helps the doctor to judge the position of the catheter and the surrounding anatomical structure. The doctor can observe the accurate position of the catheter in real time to ensure accuracy. The traction assembly 340 in the information acquisition assembly 30 can accurately control the information acquisition module through the traction end 341, so that it can move relatively independently of the main tube 10 after the catheter reaches the target position, ensuring the flexibility and accuracy of information acquisition.

[0059] The new epidural catheter in this embodiment can accurately grasp the position of the epidural catheter through real-time image monitoring of the information acquisition assembly 30, avoid misoperation, reduce the risk of damage to nerve tissue or blood vessels, reduce the occurrence of complications, and protect the safety of the patient. Moreover, it does not need to rely on highly skilled doctors or ultrasonic equipment, and any medical staff with basic operation experience can easily master it, significantly reducing the difficulty of operation and the requirement of experience. Furthermore, the controllable movement function of the information acquisition assembly 30 enables the doctor to further optimize the placement position of the catheter after the catheter reaches the target position, improving the operation efficiency and accuracy. Therefore, it can be seen that the technical scheme has obvious advantages in improving the accuracy, safety, operation convenience of the epidural catheter and the work efficiency of the doctor, and compared with the prior art, the present scheme has stronger practicality and operability.

[0060] To enhance the clarity of the impact, in some embodiments, the epidural catheter further comprises a light source (not shown in the figure) disposed within the end tube 20 to increase the brightness of the environment surrounding the information acquisition assembly 30.

[0061] Specifically, the present embodiment provides a new type of epidural catheter, in addition to containing the main tube 10, the end tube 20 and the information acquisition assembly 30, a light source is specially designed to enhance the clarity in the image acquisition process. The light source is disposed within the end tube 20 to increase the brightness of the environment surrounding the information acquisition assembly 30, especially in low light or complex environment, to ensure the high quality of image acquisition. The main function of the light source is to increase the brightness of the environment surrounding the information acquisition assembly 30, to ensure that the shooting module 320 can clearly capture the required image information. The light source is usually selected as a low-power, high-brightness LED light source, which has a long service life and can provide uniform illumination. The setting position of the light source ensures that the light covers the working area of the information acquisition assembly 30, and at the same time does not cause discomfort to the patient or affect the operation. The light source is designed with low power consumption, which will not increase too much heat, avoiding negative effects on the patient.

[0062] When the epidural catheter is inserted into the patient's body, the light source emits uniform light to the surrounding of the end tube 20, especially the working area of the information acquisition assembly 30. The function of the light source is to enhance the brightness required by the shooting module 320, to ensure that the image acquisition assembly can provide clear and visible image information under different lighting conditions, especially in dark or complex environment, to ensure that the shooting module 320 can clearly capture the required image. These image information is transmitted to the monitoring device or display screen in real time, helping the doctor to judge the position of the catheter and the surrounding anatomical structure

[0063] Further, the type of light source can be replaced according to actual needs. For example, light sources with different brightness and different color temperature can be selected to meet the lighting needs in different surgical environments. For specific operation scenarios, light sources with adjustable brightness can also be considered. In addition to LED light sources, the light source can also be designed as a light-adjustable module to adjust the brightness and optimize the imaging effect of the information acquisition module in different lighting environments. Further, if higher precision and detail capture is required, higher precision optical elements (such as optical fibers, etc.) can be equipped to further improve the illumination range and uniformity of the light source.

[0064] In this embodiment, the addition of the light source, especially in low light or complex environments, significantly improves the imaging clarity of the information acquisition component 30, ensuring that the shooting module 320 can accurately capture the required image, avoiding image blur or loss due to insufficient light. Clear image information helps doctors accurately locate the epidural catheter, reducing the possibility of misoperation and reducing the risk of nerve or blood vessel damage, increasing patient safety. The light source can be adjusted according to the lighting conditions of the surgical environment, so that the epidural catheter can adapt to different surgical scenes and ensure good working condition in various conditions.

[0065] Clear image information and sufficient brightness ensure accurate positioning of the epidural catheter in various environments, reducing misoperation due to insufficient light or blurred images, further reducing medical errors. With enhanced light source and clear image acquisition, doctors can complete the placement of the epidural catheter more quickly, reducing surgery time and improving surgery efficiency. Further, by adding a light source, this technical solution not only improves the image acquisition effect of the epidural catheter, but also further enhances its reliability and safety in actual application. Compared with the prior art, this solution can provide higher quality operation support in complex medical environments and improve overall medical effectiveness.

[0066] In other embodiments, to reduce the assembly difficulty of the new epidural catheter, the epidural catheter in this embodiment further includes an infrared light source (not shown in the figure), which is separately arranged from the catheter. The infrared light source is configured to emit infrared light to irradiate the skin of the patient's body surface corresponding to the position of the end tube 20 when the end tube 20 enters the patient's body, so as to improve the brightness of the environment around the information acquisition component 30.

[0067] A preferred embodiment of the present application - a new epidural catheter

[0068] To reduce the assembly difficulty of the epidural catheter, this embodiment provides an improved new epidural catheter, which, in addition to including the main tube 10, the end tube 20 and the information acquisition component 30, is particularly designed with an infrared light source to further enhance the image acquisition effect and improve the assembly convenience of the catheter. The infrared light source is separately arranged from the catheter body and irradiates the patient's body surface through infrared light, thereby enhancing the brightness of the environment around the information acquisition component 30 and ensuring that the catheter can work normally even in insufficient light. The following is a detailed description of this technical solution:

[0069] Specifically, the main function of the infrared light source is to emit infrared light to illuminate the skin of the patient at the position corresponding to the end tube 20. By illuminating this area, the infrared light source significantly improves the brightness of the environment around the information acquisition assembly 30, especially in low light or complex environments, ensuring the clarity of information acquisition. By emitting invisible infrared light, the infrared light source illuminates the area where the end tube 20 contacts the patient's skin, enhancing the brightness of this area, especially in critical areas where image information needs to be collected. The infrared light source provides the necessary lighting support for the information acquisition assembly 30, ensuring that the image module can capture clear images under different lighting conditions. The infrared light source is separate from the epidural catheter body (main tube 10 and end tube 20), which allows for more flexible adjustment of the position and angle of the light source during assembly, avoiding interference with other components. The infrared light source is usually a low-power infrared LED light source that can emit light at a long distance, meeting the image acquisition requirements.

[0070] In specific operation, during the process of inserting the epidural catheter into the patient's body, the doctor first inserts the end tube 20 of the epidural catheter into the patient's body. The light source is independent of the catheter body and gradually adjusts the irradiation direction of the infrared light source according to the doctor's operation needs. When the end tube 20 enters the patient's body, the infrared light emitted by the infrared light source illuminates the area on the patient's body corresponding to the position of the end tube 20. The skin in this area is illuminated by infrared light, thereby increasing the brightness of the environment around the information acquisition assembly 30, ensuring that the imaging module 320 can capture high-quality images. With the support of increased brightness, the information acquisition assembly 30 can effectively capture the required image information, and the imaging module 320 transmits this information to the monitoring device or display screen, helping the doctor to determine the relative position of the catheter and whether further adjustment is needed. The infrared light source provides stable lighting conditions for the information acquisition assembly 30, reducing interference caused by insufficient or complex environmental light, and ensuring clear images under various lighting conditions.

[0071] Further, the infrared light source can be fixed to the outside of the end tube 20 through an adjustable angle bracket, so that the doctor can adjust the irradiation direction of the infrared light source as needed to ensure the accuracy and range of irradiation. In the design of the infrared light source, infrared light sources of different wavelengths can be selected to meet the needs in different operating environments. In some special environments, higher-power infrared light sources may be needed to enhance the lighting effect. Furthermore, if more accurate image acquisition is required, the infrared light source can be combined with other auxiliary equipment (such as adjustable light lenses, optical fiber light transmission components, etc.) to further improve image quality.

[0072] The embodiment can effectively improve the brightness of the information acquisition module through the irradiation of the infrared light source on the environment around the end tube 20, and ensure the definition of the image. The infrared light source is arranged separately from the catheter, which simplifies the assembly process and improves the flexibility and adaptability of the light source adjustment. The separate design makes the connection of the light source and the catheter more convenient, avoiding the increased assembly complexity caused by the integration of the light source and the catheter in the traditional design. Moreover, the clear image and stable light source irradiation greatly enhance the accuracy of the epidural catheter placement, reduce the risk of misoperation, and improve the safety of operation. Therefore, through the independent design of the infrared light source, the technical scheme not only improves the operation accuracy and safety of the epidural catheter in complex environment, but also reduces the assembly difficulty and operation complexity, compared with the prior art, a more efficient, flexible and easy-to-operate solution is provided.

[0073] It should be noted that when the later-described shooting module 320 adopts a back-illuminated camera, the infrared light source can provide effective light compensation, because the basic difference between infrared light and visible light lies in their wavelength ranges and the way they act on the camera sensor. The back-illuminated camera itself is very sensitive to infrared light (as well as other non-visible light bands), so it can capture the illumination provided by the infrared light source.

[0074] Specifically, infrared light belongs to the invisible light range, and its wavelength is usually between nanometers and millimeters, which is much larger than that of visible light (about 380-750 nanometers). Although the human eye cannot perceive infrared light, modern cameras (including back-illuminated sensors) can capture light in this wavelength range. Infrared light has strong penetration ability for biological tissues such as skin, so it can penetrate the skin, fat and other soft tissues, and irradiate to deeper areas (such as the epidural space), providing additional illumination for deep structures.

[0075] The purpose of the back-illuminated (BSI) sensor design is to improve the imaging quality in low light conditions. Unlike traditional front-illuminated sensors, the photodiodes of back-illuminated sensors are located on the back of the sensor, allowing more light to enter, thereby reducing light loss and improving the photosensitivity of the sensor. This enables back-illuminated sensors to effectively capture light of different wavelengths, including infrared light. Even though infrared light is invisible, back-illuminated cameras can still use their high sensitivity to infrared light to achieve better imaging results. In low light environments, back-illuminated sensors improve image quality by capturing more light, including infrared light.

[0076] The light compensation effect of infrared light is as follows:

[0077] In applications such as medical endoscopes and epidural catheters, infrared light can be used as a supplemental light source, especially in low-light environments (e.g., inside the body, or in a narrow space between the body surface and the device). This infrared light illumination provides supplemental light that does not require visible light, but rather increases the total amount of light (including infrared light) that the camera can capture, to enhance the clarity and detail of the image.

[0078] For a miniature camera like the Omnivision OVM, using an infrared light source can supplement enough light to ensure clear, undistorted images during a procedure or other minimally invasive operation, without generating additional heat.

[0079] Infrared light can help the camera "see" more detail in low- or no-light environments, even in deeper structures within the human body (e.g., the epidural space, blood vessels, etc.). Furthermore, infrared light does not cause visual disturbances like visible light, nor does it generate excessive heat like traditional light sources, which is important for medical devices (especially miniature catheters), as excessive heat can affect patient comfort or the outcome of the procedure.

[0080] In summary, while infrared light is not visible, a back-illuminated camera (like the Omnivision OVM) can sense and utilize infrared light sources for supplemental illumination. The back-illuminated sensor design can enhance the sensor's sensitivity to low light, including infrared wavelengths. This makes infrared light an effective way to supplement light, especially for medical devices and minimally invasive procedures that require higher imaging accuracy. By properly configuring infrared LED light sources, you can achieve clear image capture without causing visual disturbances, especially in tight, low-light environments.

[0081] To avoid interfering with the flow and injection effect of the medicament in the catheter, in some embodiments, such as Figures 2 to 3As shown, the information collection component 30 includes a mounting portion 310, a shooting module 320, a transparent short plate, and a traction component 340. The mounting portion 310 is arranged in the end tube 20 and tightly adheres to the inner circumferential side of the end tube 20. An installation groove 311 is formed on the side of the mounting portion 310 facing the open end 220. The shooting module 320 is arranged in the installation groove 311. The transparent end cover 330 is arranged on the side of the mounting portion 310 facing the open end 220. The side of the transparent end cover 330 facing the mounting portion 310 is enclosed with the inner wall of the installation groove 311 to form a sealed space, so that the shooting module 320 in the installation groove 311 is independent of the external environment. The traction component 340 includes a traction end 341 connected with the information collection component 30 and controlled to move.

[0082] Specifically, in order to avoid the adverse effects of the information collection component 30 on the flow and injection effect of the medicament in the catheter, the present embodiment provides a new epidural catheter, in which the information collection component 30 includes multiple key components and is designed to ensure that the implementation of the information collection function will not hinder the flow or injection effect of the medicament. Specifically, the information collection component 30 includes the mounting portion 310, the shooting module 320, the transparent short plate, and the traction component 340, which together constitute an efficient and stable collection system.

[0083] The mounting portion 310 is arranged in the end tube 20 and tightly adheres to the inner circumferential side of the end tube 20, ensuring the stability of the information collection component 30. The mounting portion 310 has the installation groove 311 in which the shooting module 320 is arranged. This design enables the shooting module 320 to be accurately positioned in the end tube 20, avoiding the displacement of the component due to vibration or other interference.

[0084] The shooting module 320 is arranged in the installation groove 311 and is completely enclosed by the transparent end cover 330. The shooting module 320 is responsible for collecting image information and monitoring the relative position of the end tube 20. Under the protection of the transparent end cover 330, the shooting module 320 is not disturbed by the external environment and can avoid contact with external substances, thereby ensuring the accuracy of data collection.

[0085] The arrangement of the transparent end cover 330 not only protects the shooting module 320 from contamination, but also ensures that the shooting module 320 can smoothly receive light and collect images through the transparent material.

[0086] The traction assembly 340 includes a traction end 341 that is connected to the information acquisition assembly 30. The traction end 341 can be controlled to move and pull the information acquisition assembly 30 relative to the main tube 10. Through the traction action of the traction assembly 340, the information acquisition assembly 30 can be separated from the main tube 10, thereby avoiding hindering the flow of the medicament during the injection process and ensuring the smooth flow path of the medicament. The traction assembly 340 can be embodied as a guide wire in a specific manner, and the traction end 341 is one end of the guide wire.

[0087] It can be understood that the guide wire is selected as the traction assembly 340 because the guide wire has very high flexibility and controllability, and can accurately navigate in complex physiological structures. When placing an epidural catheter in a patient's body, the guide wire can very flexibly adjust the angle to help the doctor accurately operate in the region with complex anatomical structures. Compared with rigid traction devices, the guide wire can more easily follow the natural curves of the human body, reducing discomfort and potential risks to the patient.

[0088] Moreover, the guide wire is usually used with a medical catheter to control the position of the information acquisition assembly 30 through the traction end 341 (i.e., one end of the guide wire). This design can ensure that the information acquisition assembly 30 remains stable during placement without interfering with the flow path of the medicament. The traction end 341 can accurately move the information acquisition assembly 30 by pulling the guide wire, avoiding excessive stretching or displacement, and thus achieving a balance between information acquisition and medicament flow.

[0089] Furthermore, the guide wire is a common traction tool in medical devices and is widely used in many medical operations. Using the guide wire as the traction assembly 340 design can take advantage of the doctor's clinical experience for quick and accurate operation. Compared with other complex mechanical devices, the use of the guide wire is more convenient, which helps to improve the efficiency of the operation and reduce the difficulty of the doctor's operation.

[0090] In particular, in some complex anatomical structures such as the spine and pelvic cavity, using the guide wire as the traction assembly 340 can better adapt to these complex environments. The guide wire design can help the information acquisition assembly 30 pass through narrow channels or curved paths, thereby ensuring that the catheter system can smoothly reach the target position.

[0091] The guide wire is designed to be light, slender and strong, which is suitable for minimally invasive operations. When performing epidural catheterization, the guide wire can reduce the invasiveness of the operation, reduce the discomfort of the patient, and ensure that the information acquisition assembly 30 can be correctly pulled into place without being affected by external pressure or external factors. By controlling the pulling end 341 of the guide wire, the doctor can accurately adjust the state of the information acquisition assembly 30. For example, when the position of the acquisition assembly needs to be adjusted, the operation of the pulling end 341 can cause the acquisition assembly to move relative to the main tube 10, achieving the desired operation effect. The flexibility of the guide wire makes this relative movement more stable and controllable, avoiding sudden malfunctions that may be caused by traditional rigid traction devices.

[0092] In this embodiment, the traction assembly 340 as a guide wire in the application of this embodiment can ensure the accurate positioning of the information acquisition module while maintaining the flexibility of the catheter system, and will not adversely affect the flow path of the medicament. The design of the guide wire makes the operation more convenient and safe, and can adapt to complex medical environments.

[0093] During the process of placing the catheter into the patient's body, the doctor first moves the end tube 20 to the target position, and the information acquisition assembly 30 enters the patient's body together with the end tube 20. In this process, the information acquisition assembly 30 is stably fixed in the end tube 20 through the mounting portion 310, and does not interfere with the flow of the medicament in the catheter.

[0094] When the information acquisition assembly 30 needs to perform image acquisition, the shooting module 320 is activated under the protection of the transparent end cover 330, which helps the doctor to determine the accurate position of the catheter by acquiring image information. Since the transparent end cover 330 ensures that the shooting module 320 is independent of the external environment, it will not affect the flow of the medicament and will not interfere with the injection effect.

[0095] During the injection of the medicament, in order to avoid the obstruction of the information acquisition assembly 30 to the flow of the medicament, the traction assembly 340 controls the separation of the information acquisition assembly 30 from the main tube 10 through the pulling end 341. The pulling end 341 pulls the information acquisition assembly 30 away from the main tube 10 in a controlled manner, thereby ensuring that the drug can flow freely to the epidural space.

[0096] Further, the design of the traction assembly 340 can adopt electric control or mechanical control mode to meet the operation needs in different surgical environments. The electric control mode can more accurately control the movement of the information acquisition assembly 30, while the mechanical control mode is suitable for environments that need to simplify the operation.

[0097] The separation design of the information collection assembly 30 ensures that the image collection function does not interfere with the flow of the drug, avoiding the resistance or poor flow that may occur during injection. The traction assembly 340 can control the separation of the information collection assembly 30 from the main tube 10, which is simple and effective, and reduces the risk of misoperation that may occur during surgery. The transparent end cap 330 effectively protects the shooting module 320, avoiding interference from the external environment, ensuring that the collected image information is clear and accurate.

[0098] Moreover, the separation design of the information collection assembly 30 and the drug flow path ensures that there is no blockage or interference during drug injection, making the operation more precise and the anesthetic effect more reliable. The separation of the independent image collection function and the drug flow path improves the safety of the overall surgery, especially in complex surgeries, reducing the risk of misoperation and complications.

[0099] Therefore, through the above design, not only the accuracy and safety of the epidural catheter during anesthesia are improved, but also the injection problems caused by the interference of the components with the drug flow in the traditional design are avoided, providing a more efficient and safe epidural catheter solution.

[0100] In order to reduce the probability of the shooting module 320 being shielded during the catheter entering the patient's body, the side of the transparent end cap 330 away from the mounting portion 310 is configured to be flush with the end of the end tube 20 away from the main tube 10 when the end tube 20 moves in the patient's body, as shown in Figure 3 .

[0101] In order to make the information collection assembly 30 can be easily fixed or separated from the end tube 20 when needed, in some embodiments, as Figures 2 to 6As shown, the mounting portion 310 includes a receiving groove 312 and an opening 313 communicating with the receiving groove 312, the opening 313 is formed on the side of the mounting portion 310 away from the shooting module 320, a communication groove 314 is formed on the inner wall of the receiving groove 312, the communication groove 314 includes a first groove section 3141 and a second groove section 3142, the first groove section 3141 is formed along a first direction, the first direction is the extension direction of the end tube 20, and the second groove section 3142 is formed perpendicular to the first direction. A limiting groove 230 is formed on the inner wall of the end tube 20 corresponding to the communication groove 314. The traction end 341 can also be controlled to rotate. The information acquisition assembly 30 further includes a driving block 350, a first elastic member 360 and a positioning member 370, wherein the driving block 350 is arranged in the receiving groove 312, the driving block 350 is connected with the traction end 341 of the traction assembly 340, so that the driving block 350 is limited to rotate or move along the first direction, the rotation axis of the driving block 350 when rotating is parallel to the first direction, the first elastic member 360 is arranged in the receiving groove 312, and the first elastic member 360 is arranged between the driving block 350 and the inner wall of the side of the receiving groove 312 facing the transparent end cover 330, so as to apply an elastic force to the driving block 350 pointing to the opening 313, the positioning member 370 is controlled to move, the positioning member 370 is arranged at the driving block 350, and an arc chamfer 371 is formed on the end of the positioning member 370 away from the driving block 350.

[0102] The information acquisition assembly 30 includes a locked state and an unlocked state, when the information acquisition assembly 30 is in the locked state, the end of the positioning member 370 away from the driving block 350 passes through the first groove section 3141 and moves to the limiting groove 230, and the side of the positioning member 370 away from the transparent end cover 330 abuts against the inner wall of the side of the limiting groove 230 facing the transparent end cover 330 under the action of the first elastic member 360, and when the information acquisition assembly 30 is in the unlocked state, the driving block 350 drives the positioning member 370 to move to the second groove section 3142 along the first direction under the drive of the traction end 341, and the driving block 350 drives the positioning member 370 to rotate under the drive of the traction end 341, so that the positioning member 370 abuts against the inner wall of the limiting groove 230 at the arc chamfer 371, and the end of the positioning member 370 away from the driving block 350 moves to the second groove section 3142.

[0103] Specifically, in order to make the information acquisition assembly 30 can be fixed or separated from the end tube 20 when needed, an innovative structural design is provided in this embodiment. The design involves the fine cooperation of the mounting portion 310, the driving block 350, the positioning member 370, the traction assembly 340 and the elastic member in the end tube 20. The following is a detailed description of the technical solution:

[0104] The mounting portion 310 is located in the end pipe 20 and is designed with a receiving groove 312 and an opening 313 communicating with the receiving groove 312. The inner wall of the receiving groove 312 is provided with a communication groove 314 on the circumferential side. The communication groove 314 includes two groove sections: a first groove section 3141 is provided along the extension direction of the end pipe 20, and a second groove section 3142 is provided perpendicularly to the first groove section 3141. This design facilitates the accurate movement and unlocking of the positioning member 370 and the driving block 350.

[0105] A limiting groove 230 is provided in the end pipe 20 at a position opposite to the communication groove 314. The limiting groove 230 is designed to lock the fixed position of the information acquisition assembly 30 in the locked state, ensuring the stability of the assembly during use.

[0106] The traction assembly 340 includes a traction end 341 connected to the information acquisition assembly 30 and controlled to move, driving the rotation or movement in the first direction of the driving block 350. The rotation axis of the driving block 350 is parallel to the first direction. Through the action of the traction end 341, the driving block 350 can drive the accurate movement of the positioning member 370.

[0107] The first elastic member 360 is arranged in the receiving groove 312 between the driving block 350 and the inner wall of the receiving groove 312 on the side facing the transparent end cover 330. The elastic member applies a spring force to the driving block 350 directed towards the opening 313, to ensure the automatic return of the driving block 350, thereby realizing the locked or unlocked state of the information acquisition assembly 30.

[0108] The positioning member 370 is controlled to move, and the end thereof away from the driving block 350 is provided with an arc-shaped chamfer 371. The arc-shaped chamfer 371 cooperates well with the inner wall of the limiting groove 230. When the information acquisition assembly 30 is in the unlocked state, the positioning member 370 moves between the first groove section 3141 and the second groove section 3142 through the action of the driving block 350, ensuring the positioning and separation of the assembly.

[0109] When the information acquisition assembly 30 and the end pipe 20 are in the locked state, the end of the positioning member 370 away from the driving block 350 passes through the first groove section 3141 and moves to the limiting groove 230. The positioning member 370, under the action of the first elastic member 360, abuts against the inner wall of the limiting groove 230 on the side away from the transparent end cover 330, ensuring that the information acquisition assembly 30 is firmly fixed in the end pipe 20 and does not move relatively.

[0110] When it is necessary to separate the information collection assembly 30, it is necessary to unlock the information collection assembly 30 from the end tube 20, and the traction end 341 is driven by the driving block 350 to drive the positioning piece 370 to move to the second groove section 3142 in the first direction. After the positioning piece 370 moves to the second groove section 3142, the driving block 350 drives the positioning piece 370 to rotate, ensuring that the positioning piece 370 stably fits between the arc-shaped chamfer 371 and the inner wall of the limiting groove 230, so that the end of the positioning piece 370 away from the driving block 350 moves to the second groove section 3142, completing the unlocking and allowing the information collection assembly 30 to separate from or move relative to the end tube 20.

[0111] Further, the design of the accommodation groove 312 can be adjusted as needed, so that the driving block 350 can be smoothly installed and used in end tubes 20 of different lengths or widths. The movement trajectory of the driving block 350 and the structure of the positioning piece 370 can be customized according to different surgical requirements. In order to improve the stability of the locked state, additional friction material can be provided on the inner wall of the limiting groove 230 to increase the friction between the positioning piece 370 and the limiting groove 230, thereby ensuring that the information collection assembly 30 is more stable in the locked state. Further, the design of the transparent end cover 330 can be adjusted according to different image collection requirements, for example, different transparency materials can be used, or additional functional coatings can be added to improve the image quality of the shooting module 320.

[0112] In this embodiment, through the fine design of the locking and unlocking mechanism, it is ensured that the information collection assembly 30 can be firmly fixed or conveniently separated when needed, avoiding loosening or misoperation during operation. The design cooperates the driving block 350, the elastic piece and the positioning piece 370 to make the locking and unlocking process of the information collection assembly 30 more convenient and fast, reducing the difficulty in clinical operation. Further, through the precise assembly fixing and unlocking mechanism, the medical risk caused by inaccurate position of the information collection assembly 30 or unlocking failure is effectively reduced, ensuring accurate positioning of the catheter during anesthesia.

[0113] Moreover, the technical solution can simplify the installation and disassembly process of the information collection assembly 30 under the premise of ensuring safety, improving the efficiency and accuracy of anesthesia operation during surgery. The doctor can easily adjust the state of the information collection assembly 30 as needed during operation, especially in complex or high-risk surgeries, to ensure that the catheter position is always under precise monitoring.

[0114] Therefore, through the design of this embodiment, the fixation and unlocking of the information collection assembly 30 in the epidural catheter are more accurate and convenient, significantly improving the application value and safety of the catheter in clinical anesthesia operation.

[0115] Further, in some embodiments, as Figure 7The information acquisition assembly 30 further comprises a fixing seat 380 and a second elastic member 390. The fixing seat 380 is arranged at the driving block 350, and a telescopic groove 381 is formed in a side of the fixing seat 380 away from the driving block 350. The second elastic member 390 is arranged in the telescopic groove 381, one end of the second elastic member 390 abuts against an inner wall of the telescopic groove 381, and the other end of the second elastic member 390 abuts against the positioning member 370 movably inserted into the telescopic groove 381 toward the driving block 350, so as to be subjected to a pushing force of the second elastic member 390 directed to the limiting groove 230.

[0116] In the embodiment, in order to enhance the stability and controllability of the information acquisition assembly 30, the fixing seat 380 and the second elastic member 390 are added to the information acquisition assembly 30. The improvement aims to further improve the reliability and accuracy of the assembly in the unlocking and locking processes through the synergistic effect of the elastic members.

[0117] The fixing seat 380 is arranged at the driving block 350, and plays a role of supporting and fixing the information acquisition assembly 30. A telescopic groove 381 is formed in a side of the fixing seat 380 away from the driving block 350. The telescopic groove 381 can flexibly adjust the position and response force of the positioning member 370, and improve the movement accuracy of the positioning member 370 in the unlocking or locking process.

[0118] The second elastic member 390 is arranged in the telescopic groove 381 and abuts against an inner wall of the telescopic groove 381. The second elastic member 390 applies a pushing force directed to the limiting groove 230, so as to ensure that the positioning member 370 can accurately move toward the limiting groove 230 when the information acquisition assembly 30 is in the unlocked state, and avoid misoperation or mislocking.

[0119] The positioning member 370 is movably inserted into the telescopic groove 381 toward the driving block 350. The insertion design ensures smooth movement of the positioning member 370 in the telescopic groove 381, and avoids that the positioning member 370 is stuck or cannot normally move due to excessive friction between components.

[0120] When the information acquisition assembly 30 is in the unlocked state, the driving block 350 is driven by the driving of the traction end 341 to drive the positioning member 370 to move in a first direction (an extension direction of the end pipe 20). Until the traction end 341 drives the driving block 350 to rotate, so that the arc-shaped chamfer 371 of the positioning member abuts against an inner wall of the limiting groove 230, to force the positioning member 370 to move toward the telescopic groove 381, until the end of the positioning member 370 away from the driving block 350 moves to the second groove segment 3142, so that the positioning member 370 is completely separated from the limiting groove 230. In this process, the pushing force applied by the second elastic member 390 makes the positioning member 370 more stable, and ensures that the positioning member 370 accurately reaches the predetermined position.

[0121] The elasticity of the second elastic member 390 provides the necessary pushing force to ensure that the positioning member 370 can enter the locked state at the right time during the relative movement with the driving block 350, thereby effectively avoiding operation failure caused by insufficient force or position deviation.

[0122] When the information acquisition assembly 30 enters the locked state, the positioning member 370 moves to the limiting groove 230 through the second slot section 3142 and firmly cooperates with the inner wall of the limiting groove 230. The elastic force of the second elastic member 390 ensures that the positioning member 370 can always be kept in the correct position, avoiding assembly loosening or mispositioning.

[0123] The combined design of the fixing seat 380 and the second elastic member 390 enables the information acquisition assembly 30 to remain stable during long-term use, reducing performance degradation caused by wear or improper operation.

[0124] Further, the length and shape of the telescopic groove 381 can be adjusted according to different needs, for example, multiple telescopic grooves 381 of different sizes can be designed to accommodate catheters of different diameters or lengths. At the same time, the elastic force of the second elastic member 390 can be adjusted by replacing springs of different hardness to accommodate different patient body conditions. In order to further improve the stability of the assembly, the fixing seat 380 can be made of anti-wear materials to reduce wear problems during long-term use, and the surface of the telescopic groove 381 can be coated with an anti-friction coating to reduce friction and improve the smooth movement of the positioning member 370. The second elastic member 390 can not only be designed as a spring, but also as an air bag or other elastic element to provide appropriate pushing force under different use conditions, further improving the application range of the technical solution.

[0125] In this embodiment, the addition of the second elastic member 390 enables the positioning member 370 to provide more accurate pushing force during unlocking, reducing operation errors and ensuring the positioning accuracy of the information acquisition assembly 30. The combined design of the fixing seat 380 and the second elastic member 390 increases the structural stability of the information acquisition assembly 30, especially during unlocking and locking, which can reduce failures caused by uneven friction between components or insufficient elastic force, prolonging the service life of the device. Therefore, through this improvement, medical staff can operate the information acquisition assembly 30 more quickly and simply during use, especially during catheter insertion and removal, reducing the complexity of medical operations and the risk of misoperation.

[0126] And the design makes the unlocking and locking process of the information acquisition assembly 30 more convenient and fast, helping to improve the operation efficiency during the operation and reduce unnecessary time waste. By reducing misoperation and improving the stability of the assembly, the risk caused by inaccurate catheter position or information acquisition module failure is greatly reduced, ensuring high-precision operation during anesthesia. Further, the epidural catheter not only improves the reliability and accuracy of the information acquisition assembly 30, but also further optimizes the operation experience and safety in clinical use.

[0127] In order to make the driving block 350 more stable when moving, a guide groove 351 is opened on the side of the driving block 350 facing the shooting module 320. The information acquisition assembly 30 further comprises a guide shaft 3100, one end of the guide shaft 3100 is arranged at the center of the inner wall of the accommodating groove 312 on the side of the opening 313, the axial direction of the guide shaft 3100 is parallel to the first direction, and the end of the guide shaft 3100 away from the shooting module 320 is movably inserted into the guide groove 351, so that the moving direction of the driving block 350 is parallel to the first direction, and the rotation axis of the driving block 350 is collinear with the axis of the guide shaft 3100.

[0128] In order to improve the stability and accuracy of the driving block 350 during operation, the combination of the guide groove 351 and the guide shaft 3100 is designed in this embodiment, which further enhances the control accuracy of the driving block 350. This design ensures the stable movement of the driving block 350 along the first direction, and avoids instability during rotation or sliding.

[0129] Specifically, the guide groove 351 is located on the side of the driving block 350 facing the shooting module 320, for guiding the driving block 350 to move smoothly along the first direction. The design of the guide groove 351 can effectively limit the lateral deviation of the driving block 350, ensuring that its moving direction is always consistent with the extension direction of the end tube 20, thereby improving the movement accuracy of the driving block 350.

[0130] One end of the guide shaft 3100 is arranged at the center position of the inner wall of the accommodating groove 312 on the side of the opening 313, and the axial direction is parallel to the extension direction of the end tube 20 (i.e. the first direction). The end of the guide shaft 3100 away from the shooting module 320 is movably inserted into the guide groove 351, so as to ensure that the driving block 350 does not rotate or deviate from the intended path when moving along the first direction.

[0131] The design of the guide shaft 3100 has the function of movable insertion, so that the driving block 350 can move smoothly along the predetermined track or rotate during the unlocking or locking process. Through this design, the rotation axis of the driving block 350 is collinear with the axis of the guide shaft 3100, thereby avoiding possible operation errors.

[0132] During operation, the movement of the driving block 350 is precisely controlled by the guide groove 351 and the guide shaft 3100. The cooperation between the guide shaft 3100 and the guide groove 351 ensures that the driving block 350 always runs smoothly along the extension direction (first direction) of the end tube 20 during movement, avoiding any lateral deviation, and makes the rotation axis of the driving block 350 always coincide with the guide shaft 3100.

[0133] This design makes the operation of the information acquisition assembly 30 during unlocking and locking more convenient and efficient. The movement of the driving block 350 is more stable, reducing the damage or misoperation of the assembly caused by unstable movement, thereby improving the safety and accuracy of medical operation.

[0134] In this embodiment, the movement path of the driving block 350 is effectively limited by the design of the guide groove 351 and the guide shaft 3100, avoiding the reduction of accuracy caused by lateral deviation or rotation, ensuring the stability of the information acquisition assembly 30 during unlocking and locking. The guide shaft 3100 is collinear with the rotation axis of the driving block 350, ensuring that the driving block 350 will not slide laterally or move irregularly during operation, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the device during use. Further, this design makes it more smooth for medical staff to operate the epidural catheter, reducing the potential risks caused by unstable or deviated operation, thereby improving the safety and efficiency of medical operation.

[0135] Moreover, the precise control of the driving block 350 along the first direction can ensure the accurate position of the information acquisition assembly 30 during unlocking and locking, reduce operation errors, and improve the accuracy of epidural catheter placement. This design significantly improves the safety of the device in use by reducing the risks caused by unstable or inaccurate operation, especially suitable for complex and high-risk medical environments. Therefore, through this improvement, the stability of the driving block 350 is greatly improved, ensuring the efficiency and safety of the epidural catheter during use, further optimizing the clinical application performance of the device.

[0136] In order to avoid the catheter being pulled out of the patient's body too fast, the epidural catheter further comprises a connecting piece 40, a connecting tube 50, a third elastic piece 60 and a pulling piece 70, wherein the connecting piece 40 comprises a fluid channel 410, the connecting piece 40 is arranged at one end of the main tube 10 away from the end tube 20, so that the fluid channel 410 communicates with the inside of the main tube 10, the connecting tube 50 is arranged at one side of the connecting piece 40 away from the main tube 10, and the inside of the connecting tube 50 communicates with the fluid channel 410, one end of the third elastic piece 60 is connected with the connecting piece 40, and the pulling piece 70 is arranged at one end of the third elastic piece 60 away from the connecting piece 40.

[0137] In order to further optimize the performance of the epidural catheter and prevent the catheter from being pulled out of the patient's body too quickly during use, the embodiment provides a design including a connector 40, a connecting tube 50, a third elastic member 60, and a pulling member 70. This design enhances the stability of the catheter in the patient's body by increasing the cooperation of the elastic control and fixing device, further improving the safety and operation accuracy of the epidural catheter.

[0138] Specifically, the connector 40 is a component that connects the main tube 10 to the fluid channel 410. The connector 40 is arranged at the end of the main tube 10 away from the end tube 20 and is in communication with the inside of the main tube 10 through the fluid channel 410. The fluid channel 410 serves to guide the flow of fluids such as anesthetics in the catheter, ensuring smooth injection of the drug into the patient's body. The connector 40 is made of high-strength, corrosion-resistant materials to improve stability and durability during long-term use. The design of the fluid channel 410 ensures smooth flow of fluids, avoiding problems with drug flow due to channel blockage.

[0139] The connecting tube 50 is arranged at the side of the connector 40 away from the main tube 10, and its interior is in communication with the fluid channel 410. The connecting tube 50 serves as an intermediate component between the connector 40 and subsequent structures (such as the third elastic member 60 and the pulling member 70), providing the necessary fluid connection channel and enhancing the stability of the overall structure. The length and flexibility of the connecting tube 50 can be adjusted as needed to ensure that its position in the patient's body is not disturbed too much, while also being able to adapt to the needs of different body positions.

[0140] One end of the third elastic member 60 is connected to the connector 40, and the other end is connected to the pulling member 70. The main function of the third elastic member 60 is to provide elastic force to prevent the catheter from being pulled out of the body too quickly due to changes in the patient's body position or other reasons. The third elastic member 60 can be made of materials with good elasticity (such as rubber or elastic plastic), and its elastic setting ensures that it can effectively limit the movement of the catheter when necessary, thereby maintaining the stability of the catheter.

[0141] The pulling member 70 is arranged at the end of the third elastic member 60 away from the connector 40, and its main function is to control the stretching and recovery of the elastic member to prevent excessive displacement of the catheter. The design of the pulling member 70 allows it to provide the necessary counteracting force in certain situations to ensure the stability of the catheter position. The pulling member 70 is made of strong and flexible materials, with strong tensile strength, ensuring that it can work effectively in the patient's body environment.

[0142] In use, the third elastic member 60 prevents the epidural catheter from being pulled out too quickly due to changes in the patient's body position or other external disturbances by applying a moderate pulling force and elastic restoring force. This structure automatically adjusts the tension of the catheter by adapting to the patient's internal environment, ensuring that the catheter remains in a stable position at all times. Additionally, the pulling member 70 can provide the necessary counter-pulling force when needed, preventing the catheter from being pulled out quickly due to improper operation or accidental patient movements.

[0143] Furthermore, through the fluid channel 410 of the connecting member 40, anesthetic drugs can smoothly flow from the main tube 10 into the connecting tube 50 and be delivered to the target location. The elastic force of the third elastic member 60 and the pulling member 70 works in coordination with the patency of the fluid channel 410 to ensure that anesthetic drugs can stably reach the target area while the catheter is stably maintained in the patient's body. The cooperation of the third elastic member 60 and the pulling member 70 does not hinder the flow of the fluid channel 410 during drug injection, ensuring smooth progress of the anesthesia process.

[0144] Furthermore, in order to increase the stability of the catheter, the elastic strength of the third elastic member 60 can be adjusted according to the needs of different patients, such as using different hardness of elastic materials (such as silicone, polyurethane, etc.) to adapt to different types of surgery. Additionally, the length of the pulling member 70 can be increased or decreased to adapt to the use requirements of different catheters, ensuring that the pulling member 70 can provide appropriate counter-pulling force. If the use environment of the catheter requires higher strength of the elastic member, other types of adjustable tension devices such as hydraulic or pneumatic control systems can be selected to replace the elastic member to improve control accuracy.

[0145] In this embodiment, through the design of the third elastic member 60 and the pulling member 70, the epidural catheter can be effectively prevented from being pulled out too quickly or changing position in the patient's body, providing a more stable anesthesia effect. The combination of the elastic element and the pulling member 70 ensures the stability of the catheter in the patient's body while avoiding displacement of the catheter due to external disturbances or patient movements. Furthermore, this technical solution significantly reduces the risk of inaccurate anesthesia or anesthesia failure caused by catheter shedding, thereby improving the safety of the surgery.

[0146] Additionally, this embodiment prevents the catheter from being pulled out too quickly, ensuring accurate injection of anesthetic drugs and improving the stability and predictability of the anesthesia effect. This design effectively maintains the stability and position of the epidural catheter during operation, significantly improving the reliability of the equipment, especially in cases where the patient's body position is unstable or postoperative activity occurs. Therefore, through this design, the epidural catheter maintains stability while avoiding medical problems caused by rapid extraction or inaccurate positioning, thereby improving the safety and accuracy of anesthesia operations.

[0147] To secure the connection of the main tube 10 to the connector 40, in some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 to 2 The epidural catheter further comprises a clamping assembly 80, which includes a plurality of clamping members 810 and a constriction ring 820. The plurality of clamping members 810 are arranged on the side of the connector 40 facing the main tube 10 and surround the circumference of the end of the main tube 10 away from the end tube 20. The side of the plurality of clamping members 810 facing the main tube 10 forms a clamping surface, and the side of the plurality of clamping members 810 away from the main tube 10 forms a pressure surface with threads. The constriction ring 820 is arranged outside the pressure surface and is threadedly connected to the inner wall of the pressure surface. The inner wall of the constriction ring 820 is configured to apply pressure to the pressure surface when moving away from the connector 40, causing the plurality of clamping members 810 to contract towards the main tube 10, and the clamping surface to abut the outer surface of the main tube 10.

[0148] To enhance the stability and firmness of the connection between the main tube 10 of the epidural catheter and the connector 40, the clamping assembly 80 is designed to ensure the secure connection of the main tube 10 to the connector 40 through the cooperation of the plurality of clamping members 810 and the constriction ring 820. The design applies mechanical force to make the connection of the main tube 10 to the connector 40 more stable, thereby improving the safety of the catheter and reducing the risk of connection loosening or falling off during operation.

[0149] Specifically, the plurality of clamping members 810 are arranged on the side of the connector 40 facing the main tube 10 and surround the circumference of the end of the main tube 10 away from the end tube 20. These clamping members 810 are arranged in a ring shape and apply pressure to the main tube 10 to ensure a tight connection. The clamping members 810 ensure the secure connection of the main tube 10 to the connector 40 by mechanically contracting to make the connection tighter, thereby enhancing the structural stability of the catheter. The structural design of the clamping members 810 allows them to form a firm contact with the surface of the main tube 10 during operation, improving the tensile strength and durability of the connection site.

[0150] The side of the clamping members 810 facing the main tube 10 forms a clamping surface that tightly contacts the outer surface of the main tube 10, ensuring a firm connection. The side away from the main tube 10 forms a pressure surface with threads on its outer surface, serving as the pressure site for the subsequent constriction ring 820. The threaded design of the pressure surface ensures stable threaded connection of the constriction ring 820, allowing the clamping members 810 to be effectively contracted towards the main tube 10 when pressure is applied, thereby improving the tightness of the connection.

[0151] The compression ring 820 is sleeved outside the pressure surface, and its inner wall is threadedly connected with the pressure surface. When the compression ring 820 moves away from the connector 40, it exerts pressure on the pressure surface, causing the embracing members 810 to contract and firmly abut the embracing surface against the outer surface of the main pipe 10. The design of the compression ring 820 ensures the adjustability of the connection process. By adjusting the movement of the compression ring 820, the degree of contraction of the embracing members 810 can be accurately controlled to ensure the stability of the connection. Due to the application of the compression ring 820, the connection process is not only efficient, but also flexible in adjusting the tightness of the connection according to actual needs, meeting the needs of different patients and surgical requirements.

[0152] During the catheter installation process, the compression ring 820 is connected with the pressure surface through its threads and moves away from the connector 40. When the compression ring 820 exerts pressure, each embracing member 810 begins to contract, forcing the embracing surface to tightly contact the outer surface of the main pipe 10. During this process, the embracing members 810 contract towards the main pipe 10, ensuring a stable and firm connection between the connector 40 and the main pipe 10. Due to the precise adjustment of the compression ring 820, the tightness and firmness of the connection can be adjusted as needed to ensure that the connection site does not loosen. Once the compression ring 820 exerts the required pressure, the embracing members 810 will be firmly fixed to the main pipe 10, ensuring the stability of the epidural catheter in the patient's body. At this time, the connection between the main pipe 10 and the connector 40 is firmly fixed and is not easily loosened or detached. When it is necessary to disassemble or replace the catheter, the operator can release the pressure by reversing the operation of the compression ring 820, thereby releasing the tightening effect of the embracing members 810, and easily separating the connector 40 and the main pipe 10.

[0153] Further, if the operating scene requires particularly high tightness of the connection, more embracing members 810 can be selected to form a multi-layered ring-shaped connection to improve the stability of the connection. In order to reduce the weight of the connector 40, lightweight high-strength alloys or advanced plastic materials can be used to manufacture the embracing members 810 and the compression ring 820, thereby reducing the burden on the patient's body and improving patient comfort. If the disassembly requirement is more convenient, a compression ring 820 with a quick unlocking function can be designed to achieve quick disassembly through rotation or pressing operation, thereby improving the use efficiency.

[0154] In this embodiment, the cooperation of the embracing members 810 and the compression ring 820 ensures a more firm connection between the main pipe 10 and the connector 40, avoiding loose or detached connections and enhancing the stability of the catheter. The design of the compression ring 820 allows the degree of contraction of the embracing members 810 to be accurately adjusted according to actual needs, thereby meeting the connection requirements under different operating conditions. Further, through simple threaded connection, the operator can quickly and effectively adjust the connection state, reducing the cumbersome operation in the catheter installation process.

[0155] Moreover, this design ensures the stability of the epidural catheter in the patient's body, avoiding unstable anesthesia effect due to loose or falling connection, and improving the safety of the operation. Moreover, due to the adjustable characteristics of the embracing assembly 80, the operator can flexibly adjust the catheter connection according to the patient's body position change and the operation demand, ensuring its long-time stable operation in the operation. Therefore, through this design, the epidural catheter can maintain stable and flexible connection in various operation environments, ensuring stable and reliable anesthesia effect in the operation process, and improving the convenience and safety of the operation.

[0156] The above in the specification is only an example of the utility model. The skilled in the art to which the utility model belongs can make various modifications or supplements to the described specific embodiments or adopt similar ways to replace, as long as it does not deviate from the content of the utility model specification or exceed the range defined by the claims, which shall belong to the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A novel epidural catheter characterized in that, The catheter comprises: a main tube; an end tube comprising a connecting end and an open end, the connecting end being connected to one end of the main tube so that the interior of the end tube communicates with the interior of the main tube; an information acquisition assembly arranged in the end tube to acquire image information at the open end.

2. A novel epidural catheter as claimed in claim 1, wherein, Further comprising a light source arranged in the end tube to improve the brightness of the environment around the information acquisition assembly.

3. A novel epidural catheter as claimed in claim 1, wherein, Further comprising an infrared light source arranged separately from the catheter, the infrared light source being configured to emit infrared light to irradiate the skin of the patient at a position corresponding to the end tube when the end tube enters the patient's body, so as to improve the brightness of the environment around the information acquisition assembly.

4. The new epidural catheter according to claim 1, wherein: the information acquisition assembly comprises: a mounting portion arranged in the end tube, and the outer circumferential side of the mounting portion is attached to the inner circumferential side of the end tube, and a mounting groove is formed on the side of the mounting portion facing the open end; a shooting module arranged in the mounting groove; a transparent end cover arranged on the side of the mounting portion facing the open end, and the side of the transparent end cover facing the mounting portion is enclosed with the inner wall of the mounting groove to form a sealed space, so that the shooting module in the mounting groove is independent of the external environment; a traction assembly comprising a traction end connected to the information acquisition assembly, and the traction end is controlled to move; wherein, after the end tube moves to the target position in the patient's body, the traction end of the traction assembly pulls the information acquisition assembly to move relative to the main tube, so that the information acquisition assembly is separated from the main tube.

5. A novel epidural catheter as claimed in claim 4, wherein, The side of the transparent end cover away from the mounting portion is configured to be flush with the end of the end tube away from the main tube when the end tube moves in the patient's body.

6. The new epidural catheter according to claim 4, wherein: the mounting portion comprises a receiving groove and an open mouth in communication with the receiving groove, the open mouth is formed on the side of the mounting portion away from the shooting module, and a communication groove is formed on the inner wall of the receiving groove, the communication groove comprises a first groove section and a second groove section, the first groove section is formed in a first direction, and the first direction is the extension direction of the end tube, and the second groove section is formed in a direction perpendicular to the first direction; a limiting groove is formed in the inner wall of the end tube corresponding to the communication groove; the traction end is controlled to rotate; the information acquisition assembly further comprises: a driving block arranged in the receiving groove, the driving block is connected to the traction end of the traction assembly, so that the driving block is limited to rotate or move in the first direction, and the rotation axis of the driving block is parallel to the first direction when the driving block rotates; a first elastic member arranged in the receiving groove, and the first elastic member is arranged between the driving block and the inner wall of the receiving groove on the side facing the transparent end cover, so as to apply an elastic force to the driving block pointing to the open mouth; a positioning member controlled to move, the positioning member is arranged at the driving block, and an arc-shaped chamfer is formed on the end of the positioning member away from the driving block. Wherein, the information acquisition assembly includes a locked state and an unlocked state, when the information acquisition assembly is in the locked state, the end of the positioning member away from the driving block passes through the first slot segment and moves to the limiting slot, and the side of the positioning member away from the transparent end cover abuts against the inner wall of the side of the limiting slot facing the transparent end cover under the action of the first elastic member; when the information acquisition assembly is in the unlocked state, the driving block drives the positioning member to move to the second slot segment along the first direction under the driving of the traction end, and the driving block drives the positioning member to rotate under the driving of the traction end, so that the positioning member abuts against the inner wall of the limiting slot at the arc-shaped chamfer, and the end of the positioning member away from the driving block moves to the second slot segment.

7. The novel epidural catheter according to claim 6, characterized in that: The information acquisition assembly further includes: A fixed seat is arranged at the driving block, and a telescopic slot is formed in the side of the fixed seat away from the driving block; A second elastic member is arranged in the telescopic slot, and one end of the second elastic member abuts against the inner wall of the telescopic slot; The end of the positioning member facing the driving block is movably inserted into the telescopic slot, and abuts against the other end of the second elastic member, so as to receive the pushing force of the second elastic member directed to the limiting slot.

8. The novel epidural catheter according to claim 6, characterized in that: A guide slot is formed in the side of the driving block facing the shooting module; The information acquisition assembly further includes a guide shaft, one end of the guide shaft is arranged at the center of the inner wall of the accommodating slot facing the open side, the axial direction of the guide shaft is parallel to the first direction, and the end of the guide shaft away from the shooting module is movably inserted into the guide slot, so that the moving direction of the driving block is parallel to the first direction, and the rotation axis of the driving block is collinear with the axis of the guide shaft.

9. A novel epidural catheter as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein, Further includes: A connecting member includes a fluid channel, the connecting member is arranged at one end of the main pipe away from the end pipe, so that the fluid channel is in communication with the inside of the main pipe; A connecting pipe is arranged at the side of the connecting member away from the main pipe, and the inside of the connecting pipe is in communication with the fluid channel; A third elastic member, one end of the third elastic member is connected with the connecting member; A pulling member is arranged at the end of the third elastic member away from the connecting member.

10. A novel epidural catheter as claimed in claim 9, wherein, Further includes a holding assembly, including: A plurality of holding members, the plurality of holding members are arranged at the side of the connecting member facing the main pipe, and the plurality of holding members are arranged around the circumferential side of one end of the main pipe away from the end pipe, the side of the plurality of holding members facing the main pipe is enclosed to form a holding surface, the side of the plurality of holding members away from the main pipe is enclosed to form a pressure receiving surface, and the pressure receiving surface is provided with threads. The converging ring is sleeved outside the pressure receiving surface, and the inner wall of the converging ring is threadedly connected with the pressure receiving surface. The inner wall of the converging ring is configured to apply pressure to the pressure receiving surface when moving in a direction away from the connecting piece, so that each embracing piece converges in a direction close to the main pipe, and the embracing surface abuts against the outer surface of the main pipe.

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