Ureteroscope irrigation catheter

Abstract

This invention provides a ureteroscopic irrigation catheter, belonging to the field of medical device technology. The ureteroscope includes a scope body and a tubing. An imaging probe is installed at the end of the tubing. An infusion catheter is inserted through the tubing, and the gap between the catheter and the inner wall of the tubing forms a return channel. The inner wall of the catheter is equipped with a spiral flow-guiding structure to generate centrifugal force to evenly disperse the water flow. This invention systematically solves the problems of thermal damage and visual interference in ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy through fluid dynamics optimization and a dual-channel drainage structure, combining clinical safety and ease of operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of medical equipment technology and relates to a ureteroscope irrigation catheter. Background Technology

[0002] Ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy has become an important clinical treatment for ureteral stones, but it also presents several challenges for patients. The holmium laser is a pulsed laser with a wavelength of 2.1 μm. Energy evaporates the water between the fiber tip and the stone, forming tiny vacuoles that transfer energy to the stone and break it up. Although the depth of holmium laser radiation is 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, the local heat generated can still cause thermal damage to the ureteral mucosa and submucosa. Local temperature can lead to protein denaturation or enzyme denaturation, resulting in tissue necrosis, especially local fibrosis and stricture formation. Currently, the clinical approach involves injecting room-temperature water during holmium laser lithotripsy to absorb heat, but this heated water cannot be continuously drained during the procedure.

[0003] Patent document CN219250122U discloses a ureteroscope with adjustable stiffness. The ureteroscope has an inlet and an eyepiece connection on its handle. An eyepiece lens is located on the front surface of the endoscope tube away from the handle. An operating channel is provided inside the endoscope tube. The tube wall is made of a flexible material, and a cavity is formed inside the tube wall. A magnetic fluid material with adjustable stiffness is filled into the cavity. A magnetic fluid drive structure for adjusting the stiffness of the magnetic fluid material is provided around the cavity. An adjustment switch is located at the handle, and the adjustment switch is electrically connected to the magnetic fluid drive structure. When the adjustment switch controls the operation of the magnetic fluid drive structure, the magnetic fluid drive structure can change the stiffness of the magnetic fluid material.

[0004] The ureteroscope irrigation system described in the background section has the following drawbacks:

[0005] Insufficient drainage efficiency: The ureteroscope operation channel commonly used in clinical practice is a single water inlet channel, which cannot achieve rapid circulation of hyperthermic irrigation fluid at all times. The accumulation of hyperthermic fluid leads to an increase in local temperature and damages the local ureteral mucosa.

[0006] Visual field interference: Due to the generation of many small stones, blood, etc. during the lithotripsy process, the irrigation fluid becomes turbid, which in turn leads to uneven flow of the irrigation fluid and easily forms turbulence, affecting the clarity of the surgical field. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned problems in existing technologies by proposing a ureteroscopic irrigation catheter. This invention can effectively control thermal damage and prevent unclear local vision caused by untimely flow of turbid irrigation fluid.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model is implemented through the following technical solution:

[0009] A ureteroscopic irrigation catheter includes a scope body and a scope shaft. An imaging probe is installed at the end of the scope shaft. An infusion catheter is inserted inside the scope shaft. The gap between the infusion catheter and the inner wall of the scope shaft forms a return fluid channel. The inner wall of the infusion catheter is provided with a spiral flow guiding structure for generating centrifugal force to uniformly disperse the fluid flow.

[0010] Furthermore, the distal end of the infusion catheter is connected to a medical three-way connector via a Luer connector, and one port of the medical three-way connector is equipped with a regulating valve.

[0011] Furthermore, an optical fiber temperature sensor is integrated at the end of the mirror body.

[0012] Furthermore, the regulating valve is electrically connected to the fiber optic temperature sensor.

[0013] Furthermore, the gap width between the infusion catheter and the endoscope body is 0.3–0.5 mm.

[0014] Furthermore, the infusion catheter has a funnel-shaped opening at its port, with several guide blocks evenly distributed on the inner wall of the opening, and a baffle block inside the opening. The baffle block is fixed to the inner wall of the opening by several connecting blocks, and the baffle block has a through hole.

[0015] Furthermore, the expansion angle of the opening is 15°-25°.

[0016] Furthermore, the spiral flow guiding structure includes multiple flow guiding grooves, each of which is disposed on the inner wall of the infusion tubing, and the depth of each flow guiding groove is 0.1–0.2 mm.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0018] This invention involves inserting an irrigation catheter inside the ureteroscope to form a dual-channel drainage structure. Cooling fluid is injected through the infusion catheter, and the hot fluid is quickly drained through the return channel formed by the gap between the infusion catheter and the ureteroscope, forming a water circulation cooling system. This can quickly and effectively reduce the local temperature and significantly reduce the risk of thermal damage.

[0019] This invention improves the uniformity of water flow by setting a spiral flow guiding structure inside the infusion tubing to generate centrifugal force and evenly disperse the water flow. This allows the coolant to diffuse and spray outwards when it exits the infusion tubing, flushing away small stones and blood generated during the stone fragmentation process, thus maintaining a clear view of the surgical area in the middle.

[0020] This invention features a funnel-shaped opening at the end of an infusion catheter, with several guide blocks evenly arranged on the inner wall of the opening. The opening and the guide blocks work together to effectively allow the coolant inside the infusion catheter to diffuse and spray outwards when exiting the infusion catheter, thus expanding the coverage area of ​​the coolant flow and maintaining a clear view of the surgical area.

[0021] This invention adds a regulating valve to the three-way pipe interface, which can display and monitor the flow rate. It controls the water flow in real time; simultaneously, it integrates a fiber optic sensor to monitor the temperature at the end of the infusion tubing in real time, achieving closed-loop regulation of flow rate and temperature to ensure the temperature remains below a safe threshold.

[0022] In summary, this invention systematically solves the problems of thermal damage and visual field interference in ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy through fluid dynamics optimization, dual-channel drainage structure and intelligent control design, while also ensuring clinical safety and ease of operation. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Other features, objects, and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the ureteroscope and infusion catheter according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the infusion catheter according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the infusion catheter and the medical three-way tube according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 4 This is an assembly cross-sectional view of the infusion catheter and endoscope of Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the infusion catheter according to Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the infusion catheter and endoscope in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0030] In the diagram: 1. Endoscope body; 2. Endoscope shaft; 3. Imaging probe; 4. Infusion tubing; 5. Return fluid channel; 6. Spiral flow guide structure; 7. Medical three-way valve; 8. Regulating valve; 9. Fiber optic temperature sensor; 10. Opening; 11. Flow guide block; 12. Baffle; 13. Connecting block; 14. Through hole. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this utility model easier to understand, the present utility model will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0032] Example 1

[0033] like Figure 1-4 As shown, a ureteroscopic irrigation catheter is disclosed. The ureteroscope includes a body 1 and a shaft 2. An imaging probe 3 is installed at the end of the shaft 2. The imaging probe 3 is an instrument used to receive electromagnetic wave signals reflected or emitted by objects in a scene and convert them into images recorded on a medium. An infusion catheter 4 is inserted inside the shaft 2. The gap between the infusion catheter 4 and the inner wall of the shaft 2 forms a return channel 5. The inner wall of the infusion catheter 4 is provided with a spiral flow guiding structure 6 for generating centrifugal force to evenly disperse the fluid flow. The distal end of the infusion catheter 4 is connected to a medical three-way connector 7 via a Luer connector. One interface of the medical three-way connector 7 is provided with a regulating valve 8. A fiber optic temperature sensor 9 is integrated at the end of the shaft 2. The fiber optic temperature sensor 9 uses an optical fiber as a sensing element. Temperature is measured by detecting changes in the optical signal transmitted in the optical fiber. The regulating valve 8 is electrically connected to the optical fiber temperature sensor 9 and is configured to receive the temperature signal and automatically adjust the flow rate based on a preset threshold. The response time of the optical fiber temperature sensor 9 is ≤0.1 seconds, meeting the real-time monitoring requirements. The preset safety threshold of the optical fiber temperature sensor 9 is 43℃. When the threshold is exceeded, the regulating valve automatically increases the flow rate to 30ML / min. The gap width between the infusion conduit 4 and the endoscope 2 is 0.3mm. The spiral flow guiding structure 6 includes multiple flow guiding grooves, each of which is set on the inner wall of the infusion conduit 4. The depth of the flow guiding groove is 0.2mm. The multiple flow guiding grooves work together to generate centrifugal force to evenly disperse the water flow, so that the coolant can diffuse and spray outwards when it exits the infusion conduit 4.

[0034] The working principle of Embodiment 1 of this utility model is as follows:

[0035] A holmium laser, a pulsed laser with a wavelength of 2.1 μm, is installed inside the infusion tubing 4. The holmium laser is used to break up small stones without obstructing the flow of coolant inside the tubing 4. An imaging probe 3 on the scope 2 records images of the small stones. A fiber optic sensor monitors the temperature at the end of the infusion tubing 4 in real time. A regulating valve 8 is electrically connected to a fiber optic temperature sensor 9, configured to receive temperature signals and automatically adjust the flow rate based on a preset threshold. This allows for the regulation of the coolant flow inside the infusion tubing 4 according to the temperature at its end. The flow rate of the coolant is adjusted. External coolant is introduced into the infusion catheter 4 through the regulating valve 8 and the medical three-way tube 7. After passing through the spiral guide structure 6 set in the infusion catheter 4, the coolant diffuses and sprays outwards when exiting the infusion catheter 4, maintaining a clear field of vision in the surgical area. The endoscope 1 is connected to an external negative pressure suction device. When the negative pressure suction device is activated, the hot liquid mixed with small stones is drained out from the return channel 5 formed by the gap between the infusion catheter 4 and the inner wall of the endoscope 2, forming a circulation cooling, which can effectively reduce the local temperature and significantly reduce the risk of thermal damage.

[0036] In this embodiment of the invention, an infusion conduit 4 is inserted inside the endoscope body 2 to form a dual-channel drainage structure. Coolant is injected through the infusion conduit 4, and the hot liquid is quickly drained through the return channel 5 formed by the gap between the infusion conduit 4 and the endoscope body 2, forming a circulating cooling system. This effectively reduces the local temperature and significantly reduces the risk of thermal damage. By setting a spiral guide structure 6 inside the infusion conduit 4 to generate centrifugal force to evenly disperse the water flow, the uniformity of the water flow is effectively improved, allowing the coolant to diffuse and spray outwards when exiting the infusion conduit 4, maintaining a clear view of the surgical area. By adding a regulating valve 8 at the three-way pipe interface, the water flow rate is controlled in real time. At the same time, an integrated fiber optic sensor monitors the temperature at the end of the infusion conduit 4 in real time, realizing closed-loop regulation of flow rate and temperature to ensure that the temperature is below the safe threshold.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] like Figure 5-6 As shown, the infusion catheter 4 has a funnel-shaped opening 10 at its port. Several flow guide blocks 11 are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the opening 10. A baffle 12 is provided inside the opening 10. The baffle 10 is fixed to the inner wall of the opening 10 by several connecting blocks 13. The baffle 12 has a through hole 14. The expansion angle of the opening 10 is 20°. The several flow guide blocks 11 on the inner wall of the opening 10 adopt an asymmetrical flow guide block layout (with a gradual change in angle between 15° and 30°). One end of the holmium laser passes through the through hole.

[0039] The working principle of Embodiment 2 of this utility model is as follows:

[0040] With the cooperation of the baffle 12, several guide blocks 11 and the opening, the coolant in the infusion conduit 4 can diffuse and spray out to the surroundings when it is output from the infusion conduit 4, and expand the coverage area of ​​the coolant flow.

[0041] Although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A ureteroscope irrigation catheter, the ureteroscope comprising a scope body (1) and a scope shaft (2), the scope shaft (2) having an imaging probe (3) mounted at an end thereof, characterised in that, It includes an infusion catheter (4), which is inserted through the endoscope body (2). The gap between the infusion catheter (4) and the inner wall of the endoscope body (2) forms a return channel (5). The inner wall of the infusion catheter (4) is provided with a spiral flow guiding structure (6) for generating centrifugal force to evenly disperse the liquid flow.

2. The ureteroscope irrigation catheter of claim 1, wherein, The distal end of the infusion catheter (4) is connected to a medical three-way tube (7) via a Luer connector, and one port of the medical three-way tube (7) is equipped with a regulating valve (8).

3. The ureteroscope irrigation catheter of claim 2, wherein, The end of the mirror body (2) is integrated with an optical fiber temperature sensor (9).

4. The ureteroscope irrigation catheter of claim 3, wherein, The regulating valve (8) is electrically connected to the fiber optic temperature sensor (9).

5. The ureteroscope irrigation catheter of claim 1, wherein, The gap width between the infusion catheter (4) and the endoscope (2) is 0.3–0.5 mm.

6. The ureteroscope irrigation catheter of claim 2, wherein, The infusion catheter (4) has a funnel-shaped opening (10) at its port. Several guide blocks (11) are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the opening (10). A baffle (12) is provided inside the opening (10). The baffle (12) is fixed to the inner wall of the opening (10) by several connecting blocks (13). The baffle (12) has a through hole (14).

7. The ureteroscope irrigation catheter of claim 6, wherein, The expansion angle of the opening (10) is 15°-25°.

8. The ureteroscope irrigation catheter of claim 1, wherein, The spiral guide structure (6) includes multiple guide grooves, each of which is set on the inner wall of the infusion conduit (4), and the depth of each guide groove is 0.1–0.2 mm.

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