Front end base, front end assembly, insertion portion, and endoscope
By setting first and second guide surfaces on the endoscope tip mount and optimizing its peripheral dimensions, the problem of poor insertion was solved, resulting in improved insertion performance and smoother surgical procedures.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HUNAN VATHIN MEDICAL INSTR CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing endoscope insertion devices have problems with insertion difficulties, especially because the external dimensions of the front end cannot be effectively reduced, leading to stress responses in patients.
Design a front end seat with a first guide surface corresponding to the distal end of the instrument channel and a second guide surface opposite to it. By optimizing the layout of the guide surfaces, the outer peripheral size of the front end seat is reduced, while maintaining a small size in the axial direction, thereby improving insertion performance.
It effectively improves the insertion performance of the endoscope insertion part, reduces insertion resistance, and improves the smoothness of surgical operation and patient comfort.
Smart Images
Figure CN224307305U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a front-end seat, a front-end component, an insertion part, and an endoscope. Background Technology
[0002] With the continuous development of medical technology, endoscopes have been widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. When using an endoscope, it is inserted into the patient's body through the insertion part, and the tip of the insertion part can be used to obtain images of the affected area or insert tissue instruments to perform surgery.
[0003] In related technologies, the tip of the insertion unit includes a front end and devices such as a camera, light source, and instrument tube housed within the front end. Typically, minimizing the front end or selecting smaller cameras and other devices optimizes the insertion performance of the endoscope. However, in practice, insertion difficulties still occur, sometimes even leading to stress responses in patients. Utility Model Content
[0004] This application provides a front-end base, a front-end component, an insertion part, and an endoscope, which can at least be used to optimize the insertion performance of the insertion part of the endoscope.
[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a front-end mount for a front-end component of an endoscope.
[0006] The front-end unit has a distal surface and a first guide surface, which is connected to the distal surface and is disposed corresponding to the distal end of the instrument channel of the front-end unit. The front-end unit also has a second guide surface, which is disposed opposite to the first guide surface along the arrangement direction of the device mounting space and the instrument channel of the front-end unit. Along the axial direction from the distal end to the proximal end of the front-end unit, the first guide surface extends away from the device mounting space, and the second guide surface extends close to the instrument channel.
[0007] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a front-end component, including the front-end socket described in the first aspect of this application.
[0008] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide an insertion part, including the front-end component described in the second aspect of this application.
[0009] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide an endoscope including the insertion portion described in the third aspect of this application.
[0010] The technical solution adopted in this application can achieve the following beneficial effects:
[0011] The front end of the device disclosed in this application reduces the outer periphery of that side of the front end by providing a first guide surface corresponding to the distal end of the instrument channel. At the same time, a second guide surface opposite to the second guide surface is provided on the outer periphery of the front end, so that the extension trends of the two guide surfaces are roughly the same. The second guide surface compensates for the effect of the size reduction that gradually weakens along the axial direction of the first guide surface.
[0012] Compared with related technologies, based on the layout characteristics of the first and second guide surfaces, the front end seat of this application embodiment can always maintain a small size in each part along its axial direction, thereby effectively improving the insertion performance of the insertion part. Attached Figure Description
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are provided to further illustrate this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of this application and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application.
[0014] In the attached diagram:
[0015] Figure 1 Isometrics of the front-end components disclosed in some embodiments of this application Figure 1 ;
[0016] Figure 2 Isometrics of the front-end components disclosed in some embodiments of this application Figure 2 ;
[0017] Figure 3 This is a side view of a front-end component disclosed in some embodiments of this application;
[0018] Figure 4 This is a front view of the front-end components disclosed in some embodiments of this application;
[0019] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Sectional view along the AA direction.
[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0021] 100-Front-end mount, 100a-Instrument channel, 100b-Instrument port, 100c-Device mounting space, 100d-Cable routing channel, 100d1-First extension section, 100e-Notch,
[0022] 110 - First guide surface, 120 - Second guide surface, 130 - First circumferential surface, 140 - Second circumferential surface, 150 - Transition surface, 160 - Distal surface
[0023] 200 - Camera, 300 - Light source, 400 - Cable, 500 - Instrument tube, 600 - Fitting parts. Detailed Implementation
[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0025] In various embodiments of this application, "proximal end" and "distal end" refer to the position of the endoscope and its accessories relative to the user in the usage environment. The end closer to the user is designated as the "proximal end", and the end farther from the user is designated as the "distal end".
[0026] To facilitate understanding of the front-end base, front-end component, insertion part, and endoscope provided in the embodiments of this application, the relevant technologies will first be introduced in conjunction with the application scenarios below.
[0027] Regarding the issue of difficult insertion of the insertion section in related endoscopes, the inventors discovered through research that this is mainly due to the inability to effectively reduce the external dimensions of the front-end mount. Specifically, improving the insertion performance of the insertion section primarily relies on optimizing the front-end assembly, as the external dimensions of the curved section are relatively easy to miniaturize. Within the front-end assembly, the external dimensions of the front-end mount need to consider its structural strength and the size of the internal installation space. However, due to limitations in imaging quality and instrument accessibility, the installation space for components within the front-end mount typically occupies a considerable area. Therefore, the front-end mount technology of the relevant period still cannot meet the increasingly stringent miniaturization requirements, resulting in difficulty in insertion.
[0028] In view of this, some embodiments of this application provide a front-end mount for a front-end component of an endoscope.
[0029] Please see Figures 1-5 The front-end seat 100 disclosed in this application embodiment has a distal surface 160 and a first guide surface 110. The first guide surface 110 is connected to the distal surface 160 and is disposed at the distal end of the instrument channel 100a of the front-end seat 100. The front-end seat 100 also has a second guide surface 120. Along the arrangement direction of the device mounting space 100c and the instrument channel 100a of the front-end seat 100, the second guide surface 120 is disposed opposite to the first guide surface 110. Along the axial direction from the distal end to the proximal end of the front-end seat 100, the first guide surface 110 extends away from the device mounting space 100c, and the second guide surface 120 extends close to the instrument channel 100a.
[0030] The front-end mount 100 is the basic component of the front section assembly of the endoscope insertion part, that is, it serves as the mounting base for other structures in the front-end assembly. The front-end mount 100 provides mounting space for the functional components of the front-end assembly through the component mounting space 100c opened on it. These functional components include at least a portion of the camera 200, light source 300 (usually an LED bead), circuit board, instrument tube 500, etc. The front-end mount 100 also provides protection for these functional components to a certain extent.
[0031] The endoscope has an instrument tube 500 extending from its handle to the insertion portion at its front end assembly. The distal end of the instrument tube 500 is mounted within a front end seat 100 and communicates with an instrument port 100b. Thus, during surgery, instruments can be delivered from the inlet on the handle via the instrument tube 500 to the instrument port 100b, allowing surgical procedures to be performed simultaneously with image acquisition by the camera 200. In embodiments of this application, the instrument channel 100a can be a channel for mounting the instrument tube 500 or a channel for the passage of instruments. In the latter case, the front end seat 100 and the instrument tube 500 together form the channel for the passage of instruments.
[0032] In the embodiments of this application, the first guide surface 110 and the second guide surface 120 are both used to guide the insertion action of the insertion part, and can be inclined or curved. Of course, the surface shape of the first guide surface 110 and the second guide surface 120 is not specifically limited.
[0033] Please refer to at least Figure 1 and Figures 3-5 Since the first guide surface 110 is connected to the distal surface 160, and the first guide surface 110 is set at the distal end of the instrument channel 100a, that is, it is set at the instrument port 100b of the front end seat 100, in other words, the first guide surface 110 is the surface on the side of the front end seat 100 that surrounds the instrument port 100b and has a guiding function.
[0034] Along the axial direction from the distal end to the proximal end of the front-end seat 100, the first guide surface 110 is offset from the device mounting space 100c. With this layout, the space occupied by the front-end seat 100 corresponding to the first guide surface 110 is significantly reduced. In particular, the area of the distal surface 160 of the front-end seat 100 is reduced to the maximum extent, which is equivalent to moving the instrument port 100b backward. This effectively optimizes the insertion adaptability of the distal end of the front-end seat 100.
[0035] In addition, we need to pay attention to the fact that this setting will elongate the instrument port 100b in the axial direction of the front seat 100. For example, if the first guide surface 110 is a slope, the instrument port 100b will include at least the sloped part. This will increase the opening area of the instrument port 100b, which can expand the operating space of the front seat 100 at the corresponding instrument port 100b, and help optimize the surgical operation experience of the endoscope at the distal end. Of course, a larger opening of the instrument port 100b can also improve the suction effect.
[0036] Meanwhile, the front-end seat 100 of this embodiment also has a second guide surface 120 disposed opposite to the first guide surface 110, and the second guide surface 120 extends close to the instrument channel 100a along the axial direction from the distal end to the proximal end of the front-end seat 100. It should be understood that, given the structural characteristics of the first guide surface 110, which extends away from the device mounting space 100c, the proximal end of the first guide surface 110 deviates furthest from the axis of the front-end seat 100. That is, along the direction from the distal end to the proximal end of the front-end seat 100, the outer peripheral dimension of the portion corresponding to the first guide surface 110 on the front-end seat 100 gradually increases. Therefore, the effect of the first guide surface 110 in reducing the outer peripheral dimension of the front-end seat 100 gradually weakens. See details for further information. Figure 3 The relationship between the first guide surface 110 and the lower dotted line should be understood.
[0037] With this layout, the extension trend of the second guiding surface 120 is roughly the same, for example, in Figure 3 In the diagram, both the first guide surface 110 and the second guide surface 120 extend from the upper left to the lower right. Therefore, due to the presence of the second guide surface 120, the space occupied by the front end seat 100 corresponding to the second guide surface 120 is significantly reduced. Furthermore, along the direction from the distal to the proximal end of the front end seat 100, the size of the portion of the front end seat 100 corresponding to the second guide surface 120 gradually decreases; that is, the effect of the second guide surface 120 in reducing the outer perimeter of the front end seat 100 gradually increases. See the attached diagram for details. Figure 3 The relationship between the second guide surface 120 and the upper dotted line should be understood.
[0038] In this way, in the direction from the distal end to the proximal end of the front end seat 100, the front end seat 100 of this embodiment can use the second guide surface 120 to compensate for the effect of the first guide surface 110 gradually weakening in reducing the outer peripheral size of the front end seat 100, thereby ensuring that each part of the front end seat 100 distributed in the axial direction is kept in a small size, so as to effectively improve the insertion performance of the insertion part.
[0039] In some embodiments, the first guide surface 110 and the second guide surface 120 are completely corresponding along the arrangement direction of the device mounting space 100c and the instrument channel 100a. In other embodiments, the first guide surface 110 and the second guide surface 120 are partially corresponding to each other along the arrangement direction of the device mounting space 100c and the instrument channel 100a, for example, as shown in... Figure 5 As shown, the extension area of the second guide surface 120 is smaller than the extension area of the first guide surface 110, which helps to provide sufficient layout space for the device mounting space 100c.
[0040] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the front-end base 100 has a cable routing channel 100d for passing through the cable 400 of the front-end assembly. The cable routing channel 100d intersects with the second guide surface 120. The front-end base 100 is provided with an open side wall corresponding to the first extension 100d1 of the cable routing channel 100d to avoid the corresponding part of the cable 400. The first extension 100d1 is the part of the cable routing channel 100d between its proximal end and the second guide surface 120.
[0041] It should be understood that, as mentioned above, by reducing the space occupied on the corresponding side of the front seat 100 through the second guide surface 120, in this layout, due to the open design of the front seat 100 for the first extension 100d1, that is, the side wall of the front seat 100 corresponding to the first extension 100d1 is removed, the proximal end of the second guide surface 120 can be located closer to the axis of the front seat 100. In other words, the second guide surface 120 can be set to be longer, thereby enhancing the effect of reducing the outer peripheral size of the front seat 100, and further improving the insertion performance of the insertion part.
[0042] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the front end 100 has a notch 100e on its sidewall, which corresponds to the first extension 100d1 to create an opening. The distal end of the notch 100e extends to at least a portion of the second guide surface 120. With this arrangement, the second guide surface 120 can be arranged in the peripheral sidewall region of the front end 100 around the notch 100e, allowing the second guide surface 120 to extend closer to the axis of the front end 100, further enhancing the effect of reducing the outer peripheral dimensions of the front end 100.
[0043] To accommodate the open design of the front-end connector 100 for cable 400, such as Figures 1-3 and Figure 5As shown, the side wall of the mating part 600 connected to the front end 100 can also have a clearance structure to allow the cable 400 to be accommodated in its routing layout, thus avoiding interference between the cable 400 and the mating part 600. This layout also reduces the outer circumferential dimensions of the mating part 600, thereby reducing the radial dimension of the insertion portion. The mating part 600 can be a transition ring between the front end 100 and the snake bone, or it can be the head section of the snake bone.
[0044] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, at least a portion of the extension path of the second guide surface 120 is parallel to the corresponding portion of the extension path of the first guide surface 110. It should be understood that if the first guide surface 110 and the second guide surface 120 are not substantially parallel, then one end of them will be too far apart as they extend, resulting in an excessively large outer perimeter of the front end 100 in that area, which cannot meet the purpose of size reduction. In addition, the other end of them will be too close together as they extend, resulting in insufficient internal layout space to meet installation requirements.
[0045] In this example, the first guide surface 110 and the second guide surface 120 are at least partially parallel, which ensures that the outer periphery of the portion of the front end seat 100 located between the first guide surface 110 and the second guide surface 120 is consistent. This maintains a small outer periphery while providing sufficient internal layout space to meet installation requirements. Furthermore, based on the aforementioned layout features, the parallel extension of the first guide surface 110 and the second guide surface 120 facilitates smooth insertion into the human body cavity. Compared to solutions where the two surfaces are not parallel, this avoids resistance encountered by the insertion part during insertion or removal.
[0046] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1-3 and Figure 5 As shown, in the arrangement direction of the device mounting space 100c and the instrument channel 100a, the outer peripheral surface contour of the device mounting space 100c, which is opposite to the first guide surface 110, extends straight along the axial direction of the front end seat 100.
[0047] In this layout, the outer peripheral surface of the corresponding device mounting space 100c, extending straight along the axial direction, connects to the distal end surface 160. This arrangement is independent of the second guide surface 120, preventing the second guide surface 120 from excessively encroaching on the layout space of the device mounting space. This ensures sufficient mounting space for the camera 200, light source 300, etc., to guarantee image quality. Simultaneously, the outer peripheral surface of the front-end seat 100 features the aforementioned straight-extending area, which extends in the same direction as the axis of the front-end seat 100. During insertion, this straight-extending area provides support, preventing the front-end seat 100 from tilting, thus maintaining insertion accuracy and conforming to operational habits. Furthermore, this layout prevents the second guide surface 120 from extending to the distal end surface 160 of the front-end seat 100, thus avoiding a sharp structure at the junction and preventing damage to human tissue.
[0048] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in the axial direction of the front end 100, the projection of the instrument channel 100a avoids the projection of the device mounting space 100c. That is, in the radial direction of the front end 100, the instrument channel 100a and the device mounting space 100c are misaligned.
[0049] With this layout, the instrument channel 100a can be designed as a straight channel distributed along the axial direction of the front end seat 100, without the need for a guide section on its distal side. This facilitates instrument insertion, prevents instrument bending, and makes it easier to determine the instrument's operating position, while also facilitating the aspiration of bodily fluids. It is noteworthy that because of the staggered arrangement of the instrument channel 100a and the device mounting space 100c in this example, the instrument channel 100a does not occupy the space on the axial rear side of the device mounting space 100c. This makes it easier to set up the second guide surface 120 in this area, further improving and optimizing the insertion performance of the insertion part.
[0050] In addition, this layout eliminates the need to place the instrument port 100b on the side of the front end seat 100, which allows the axial length of the front end seat 100 to be shortened, reducing the length of the distal segment during the bending operation of the insertion part and making the bending operation easier.
[0051] In other embodiments, the projection of the instrument channel 100a in the axial direction of the front end seat 100 at least partially coincides with the projection of the device mounting space 100c, and the instrument opening 100b of the instrument channel 100a is located on the outer peripheral surface of the front end seat 100. It should be understood that in this example, the overlap of the projections of the instrument channel 100a and the device mounting space 100c can reduce the outer peripheral size of the front end seat 100. Of course, it can also be combined with the layout features of the first guide surface 110 and the second guide surface 120 in the embodiments of this application to jointly improve the insertion performance of the insertion part.
[0052] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 The outer peripheral surface of the front-end base 100 near the instrument channel 100a is formed as a first circumferential surface 130, and the outer peripheral surface of the front-end base 100 near the device mounting space 100c is formed as a second circumferential surface 140. The first circumferential surface 130 and the second circumferential surface 140 are connected by a transition surface 150. For easier understanding, please refer to... Figure 4 In one embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the front end 100 located between the two dashed lines in the figure is the transition surface 150.
[0053] With this layout, the structure of the two circumferential surfaces is not only easy to process and produce, but also forms a relatively smooth surface on the outer circumferential surface of the front end seat 100, which is conducive to realizing the insertion action.
[0054] In a further embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the transition surface 150 is a plane and is tangent to both the first circumferential surface 130 and the second circumferential surface 140. Thus, when performing the insertion operation of the endoscope, the plane transition surface 150 can provide a certain support effect for human tissue, and at the same time, it can keep the area between the first distal surface 160 and the second circumferential surface 140 in a small size.
[0055] In another embodiment, the transition surface 150 is recessed between the first circumferential surface 130 and the second circumferential surface 140, which further reduces the outer peripheral size of the front end seat 100 to further enhance insertion performance.
[0056] In a further embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the diameters of the first circumferential surface 130 and the second circumferential surface 140 are equal, which can avoid abrupt shape changes in the area corresponding to the transition surface 150 on the front end seat 100 and reduce the scraping of human tissue during the insertion operation.
[0057] Please see Figures 1-5Furthermore, embodiments of this application also provide a front-end component, which includes the front-end socket 100 mentioned in any of the foregoing solutions. Thus, the front-end component possesses the beneficial effects of the aforementioned front-end socket 100, which will not be elaborated upon here.
[0058] Please see Figures 1-5 Furthermore, embodiments of this application also provide an insertion part, which includes the front-end component mentioned in any of the foregoing solutions. Thus, the insertion part possesses the beneficial effects of the aforementioned front-end component, which will not be elaborated upon here.
[0059] Please see Figures 1-5 Embodiments of this application also provide an endoscope, which includes a handle and an insertion portion as mentioned in any of the foregoing solutions, with the handle connected to the insertion portion. Thus, the endoscope possesses the beneficial effects of the aforementioned insertion portion, which will not be elaborated upon here.
[0060] The endoscopes involved in the embodiments of this application may be bronchoscopes, pyeloscopes, esophagoscopes, gastroscopes, colonoscopes, otoscopes, rhinoscopes, oral endoscopes, laryngoscopes, colposcopes, laparoscopes, arthroscopes, etc. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit the types of endoscopes.
[0061] The above embodiments of this application focus on describing the differences between the various embodiments. As long as the different optimization features between the various embodiments are not contradictory, they can be combined to form a better embodiment. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.
[0062] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.
Claims
1. A front-end mount for an endoscope's front-end assembly, characterized in that, The front end has a distal surface and a first guide surface, the first guide surface being connected to the distal surface, and the first guide surface being disposed at the distal end of the instrument channel of the front end; The front end also has a second guide surface, which is disposed opposite to the first guide surface along the device mounting space of the front end and the arrangement direction of the instrument channel; Along the axial direction from the distal end to the proximal end of the front end seat, the first guide surface extends offset from the device mounting space, and the second guide surface extends close to the instrument channel.
2. The front-end mount according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front-end base has a cable routing channel for passing through the cable of the front-end assembly. The cable routing channel intersects with the second guide surface. The front-end base has an open sidewall corresponding to the first extension of the cable routing channel to avoid a corresponding portion of the cable. The first extension is the portion of the cable routing channel between its proximal end and the second guide surface.
3. The front-end mount according to claim 2, characterized in that, The front end has a notch on its sidewall corresponding to the first extension to achieve an opening, the distal end of the notch extending to at least a portion of the second guide surface.
4. The front-end mount according to claim 1, characterized in that, The extension path of at least a portion of the second guide surface is arranged parallel to the extension path of the corresponding portion of the first guide surface.
5. The front-end mount according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the arrangement direction of the device mounting space and the instrument channel, the outer peripheral surface contour of the device mounting space, which is opposite to the first guide surface, extends straight along the axial direction of the front end seat.
6. The front end holder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, In the axial direction of the front end seat, the projection of the instrument channel avoids the projection of the device mounting space; or, in the axial direction of the front end seat, the projection of the instrument channel at least partially coincides with the projection of the device mounting space, and the instrument port of the instrument channel is located on the outer peripheral surface of the front end seat.
7. The front end holder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The outer peripheral surface of the front end seat near the instrument channel is a first circumferential surface, and the outer peripheral surface of the front end seat near the device mounting space is a second circumferential surface. The first circumferential surface and the second circumferential surface are connected by a transition surface, wherein: The transition surface is a plane and is tangent to both the first circumferential surface and the second circumferential surface; Alternatively, the transition surface may be recessed between the first circumferential surface and the second circumferential surface.
8. A front-end component, characterized in that, Includes the front end mount as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.
9. An insertion part, characterized in that, Includes the front-end component as described in claim 8.
10. An endoscope, characterized in that, It includes a handle and the insertion part as described in claim 9, wherein the handle is connected to the insertion part.