Flexible endoscope

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology and discloses a flexible endoscope, including a tube and a handle. The tube includes an outer tube and a snake-bone tube, a lens, a flexible working tube, and a rigid working tube disposed within the outer tube. The handle has a first interface at its front end and a second interface at its rear end. The first and second interfaces are respectively connected to the interior of the handle. The rear end of the outer tube is inserted into the first interface. The snake-bone tube is disposed within the front end of the outer tube. The front ends of the lens and the flexible working tube are disposed within the front end of the snake-bone tube. The rear end of the flexible working tube extends beyond the rear end of the snake-bone tube and is fixedly connected to the front end of the rigid working tube. The rear end of the rigid working tube extends beyond the rear end of the outer tube and passes through the first interface and the interior of the handle sequentially before being inserted into the second interface. This utility model ensures that the front end of the lens can bend normally while preventing bending in the middle of the tube.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a flexible endoscope. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, endoscopes and their surgical instruments have been widely used in minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment. With the rapid development of minimally invasive medical technology, higher demands have been placed on endoscopes. Based on the curvature of the endoscope tube, endoscopes can be divided into flexible endoscopes and rigid endoscopes. Existing flexible endoscopes mainly consist of an outer tube, a serpentine tube, and a working tube. The serpentine tube is located inside the front end of the outer tube, and the front ends of the lens and working tube are located inside the front end of the serpentine tube. When the front end of the serpentine tube bends, it causes the outer tube, lens, and working tube to bend and move together, thus achieving the curvature of the endoscope tube head. However, to ensure the serpentine tube can bend normally, the outer tube and working tube need to be made of flexible tubing. This makes the middle of the endoscope tube prone to bending when entering the body, making it inconvenient to use. Furthermore, the working tube is easily bent, affecting its internal working channel; for example, when delivering fluid through the working channel, it affects the flow rate. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a flexible endoscope that can ensure that the front end of the lens can bend normally while preventing the middle part of the endoscope tube from bending.

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this utility model provides a flexible endoscope, comprising a tube and a handle. The tube includes a handle, an outer tube, and a snake-bone tube, a lens, a flexible working tube, and a rigid working tube disposed within the outer tube. The handle has a first interface at its front end and a second interface at its rear end. The first interface and the second interface are respectively connected to the interior of the handle. The rear end of the outer tube is inserted into the first interface. The snake-bone tube is disposed within the front end of the outer tube. The front ends of the lens and the flexible working tube are disposed within the front end of the snake-bone tube. The rear end of the flexible working tube extends beyond the rear end of the snake-bone tube and is fixedly connected to the front end of the rigid working tube. The rear end of the rigid working tube extends beyond the rear end of the outer tube and passes through the first interface and the interior of the handle sequentially before being inserted into the second interface.

[0005] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the outer tube includes an elastic tube and a braided tube, the rear end of the elastic tube is connected to the front end of the braided tube, the elastic tube is sleeved and fixed on the snake-bone tube, and the rear end of the braided tube is inserted into the first interface.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the rear end of the snake bone tube is fixedly connected to the braided tube via a connecting tube, the front end of the connecting tube is inserted and fixed inside the rear end of the snake bone tube, and the rear end of the connecting tube is inserted and fixed inside the front end of the braided tube.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the outer tube further includes a first heat shrink tube, the front end of the snake-bone tube extends beyond the front end of the elastic tube, and the first heat shrink tube is sleeved on the front end of the snake-bone tube and the front end of the elastic tube.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer tube further includes a second heat-shrinkable tube, which is sleeved on the rear end of the elastic tube and the front end of the braided tube.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the front end of the snake-bone tube is filled with sealant.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the working rigid tube is made of stainless steel.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the wall thickness of the working rigid tube is 0.01mm to 0.05mm.

[0012] This utility model provides a flexible endoscope, which, compared with the prior art, has the following advantages: the snake-bone tube is located inside the front end of the outer tube, while the front end of the working flexible tube and the lens are located inside the snake-bone tube. When the snake-bone tube bends, it will cause the front end of the outer tube, the lens, and the front end of the working flexible tube to bend and move together, thus achieving the bending of the front end of the endoscope tube; the working rigid tube has a certain rigidity, and the rear end of the working flexible tube extends out of the rear end of the snake-bone tube and connects to the front end of the working rigid tube. That is, the working rigid tube is located outside the snake-bone tube, which will not affect the bending of the snake-bone tube. At the same time, it can prevent the middle and rear ends of the endoscope tube from bending easily, making it easier for the endoscope tube to enter the human body, and can prevent the working channel from being affected by the bending of the endoscope tube. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the connection structure between the snake-bone tube and the working hose after omitting the outer tube in this utility model.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the connection between the working flexible tube and the working rigid tube of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the handle of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle;

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of point B in the middle;

[0019] In the diagram, 1 is the handle; 11 is the first interface; 12 is the second interface; 2 is the outer tube; 21 is the elastic tube; 22 is the braided tube; 23 is the connecting tube; 24 is the first heat shrink tube; 25 is the second heat shrink tube; 3 is the snake bone tube; 4 is the lens; 5 is the working flexible tube; and 6 is the working rigid tube. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate this utility model, but are not intended to limit its scope.

[0021] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0022] like Figure 1-6 As shown, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a flexible endoscope, comprising a tube and a handle 1. The tube includes a handle 1, an outer tube 2, and a snake-bone tube 3, a lens 4, a flexible working tube 5, and a rigid working tube 6 disposed within the outer tube 2. The handle 1 has a first interface 11 at its front end and a second interface 12 at its rear end. The first interface 11 and the second interface 12 are respectively connected to the interior of the handle 1. The rear end of the outer tube 2 is inserted into the first interface 11. The snake-bone tube 3 is disposed within the front end of the outer tube 2. The front ends of the lens 4 and the flexible working tube 5 are disposed within the snake-bone tube. In this embodiment, the working hose 5 is made of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). The rear end of the working hose 5 extends out of the rear end of the snake tube 3 and is fixedly connected to the front end of the working hard tube 6. In this embodiment, the rear end of the working hose 5 is sleeved and fixed on the front end of the conveying working hard tube 6. The interior of the working hose 5 and the interior of the conveying working hard tube 6 are connected to form a working channel. The rear end of the working hard tube 6 extends out of the rear end of the outer tube 2 and passes through the interior of the first interface 11 and the handle 1 in sequence and is inserted into the second interface 12.

[0023] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: the snake-bone tube 3 is located inside the front end of the outer tube 2, while the front end of the working flexible tube 5 and the lens 4 are located inside the snake-bone tube 3. When the snake-bone tube 3 bends, it will cause the front end of the outer tube 2, the lens 4, and the front end of the working flexible tube 5 to bend and move together, thereby achieving the bending of the front end of the endoscope tube. The working rigid tube 6 has a certain rigidity. The rear end of the working flexible tube 5 extends out of the rear end of the snake-bone tube 3 and connects to the front end of the working rigid tube 6. That is, the working rigid tube 6 is located outside the snake-bone tube 3 and will not affect the bending of the snake-bone tube 3. At the same time, it can prevent the middle and rear ends of the endoscope tube from bending easily, making it easier for the endoscope tube to enter the human body, and can also prevent the working channel from being affected by the bending of the endoscope tube. The working rigid tube 6 passes through the inside of the first interface 11 and the handle 1 and is inserted into the second interface 12 to facilitate the insertion of medical instruments (such as biopsy forceps, holmium laser).

[0024] For example, the outer tube 2 includes an elastic tube 21 and a braided tube 22. The rear end of the elastic tube 21 is connected to the front end of the braided tube 22. The elastic tube 21 is sleeved and fixed on the snake tube 3. Since the elastic tube 21 has a certain elasticity, it can be tightly sleeved on the snake tube 3, so that the snake tube 3 can be fixed inside the elastic tube 21 and the sealing between the snake tube 3 and the elastic tube 21 can be ensured. The rear end of the braided tube 22 is inserted into the first interface 11. The front end of the working hard tube 6 extends out of the rear end of the braided tube 22. Generally, the rear end of the working hose 5 is inside the elastic tube 21, that is, the front end of the working hard tube 6 extends into the elastic tube 21 and is connected to the rear end of the working hose 5. In this embodiment, the material of the elastic tube 21 is TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), and the material of the braided tube 22 is PA (polyamide).

[0025] For example, the rear end of the snake tube 3 is fixedly connected to the braided tube 22 via a connecting tube 23. The front end of the connecting tube 23 is inserted and fixed inside the rear end of the snake tube 3, and the rear end of the connecting tube 23 is inserted and fixed inside the front end of the braided tube 22. In this embodiment, the connecting tube 23 is made of metal. Generally, the rear end of the elastic tube 21 is flush with the rear end of the snake tube 3. The connecting tube 23 can be fixedly connected to the snake tube 3 and the braided tube 22 respectively with glue, thereby achieving a fixed connection between the rear end of the snake tube 3 and the rear end of the braided tube 22.

[0026] For example, the outer tube 2 also includes a first heat shrink tube 24. In this embodiment, the first heat shrink tube 24 is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The front end of the snake tube 3 extends beyond the front end of the elastic tube 21. The first heat shrink tube 24 is sleeved on the front end of the snake tube 3 and the front end of the elastic tube 21 to ensure the sealing between the front end of the snake tube 3 and the front end of the elastic tube 21.

[0027] For example, the outer tube 2 also includes a second heat shrink tube 25, which is sleeved on the rear end of the elastic tube 21 and the front end of the braided tube 22, thereby ensuring the sealing between the rear end of the elastic tube 21 and the front end of the braided tube 22.

[0028] For example, the front end of the snake tube 3 is filled with sealant (not shown in the figure) to ensure the sealing of the front end of the snake tube 3 and to fix the front end of the lens 4 and the working hose 5 inside the front end of the snake tube 3.

[0029] For example, the working rigid tube 6 is made of stainless steel (food grade), which has good corrosion resistance.

[0030] For example, the wall thickness of the working rigid tube 6 is 0.01mm to 0.05mm, which gives the working rigid tube 6 a certain elastic deformation capability, that is, the working rigid tube 6 can bend to a certain extent without being damaged, which facilitates the use of the endoscope tube.

[0031] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and substitutions can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present utility model, and these improvements and substitutions should also be considered within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A flexible endoscope comprising a scope tube and a handle, characterized by: The lens tube includes an outer tube and a snake-bone tube, a lens, a working flexible tube, and a working rigid tube disposed within the outer tube. The front end of the handle has a first interface, and the rear end of the handle has a second interface. The first interface and the second interface are respectively connected to the interior of the handle. The rear end of the outer tube is inserted into the first interface. The snake-bone tube is disposed within the front end of the outer tube. The front ends of the lens and the working flexible tube are disposed within the front end of the snake-bone tube. The rear end of the working flexible tube extends beyond the rear end of the snake-bone tube and is fixedly connected to the front end of the working rigid tube. The rear end of the working rigid tube extends beyond the rear end of the outer tube and passes through the first interface and the interior of the handle in sequence before being inserted into the second interface.

2. The flexible endoscope of claim 1, wherein: The outer tube includes an elastic tube and a braided tube. The rear end of the elastic tube is connected to the front end of the braided tube. The elastic tube is sleeved and fixed on the snake-bone tube, and the rear end of the braided tube is inserted into the first interface.

3. The flexible endoscope of claim 2, wherein: The rear end of the snake bone tube is fixedly connected to the braided tube via a connecting tube. The front end of the connecting tube is inserted and fixed inside the rear end of the snake bone tube, and the rear end of the connecting tube is inserted and fixed inside the front end of the braided tube.

4. The flexible endoscope of claim 2, wherein: The outer tube also includes a first heat shrink tube, the front end of the snake-bone tube extends beyond the front end of the elastic tube, and the first heat shrink tube is sleeved on the front end of the snake-bone tube and the front end of the elastic tube.

5. The flexible endoscope of claim 2, wherein: The outer tube also includes a second heat-shrinkable tube, which is sleeved on the rear end of the elastic tube and the front end of the braided tube.

6. The flexible endoscope of claim 1, wherein: The front end of the snake-bone tube is filled with sealant.

7. The flexible endoscope of claim 1, wherein: The working rigid tube is made of stainless steel.

8. The flexible endoscope of claim 7, wherein: The wall thickness of the working rigid tube is 0.01mm to 0.05mm.

Images