Protective cover for endoscopes

Abstract

Protective cover for endoscopes (5), which consists of a film tube (1) which is blind-ended on one side and consists of a membrane which is impermeable to liquids and gases, which is transparent at least at the blind end and which forms an optical unit with the optics of the endoscope (5), wherein the film tube (1) consists of a film which is open-pored on one side, on the open-pored surface of which a negative pressure can be applied with a fluid-conducting communication element by means of a negative pressure pump or a negative pressure generating system.

Description

State of the art

[0001] Endoscopes are typically cleaned mechanically and chemically with disinfectant solutions after use. The use of endoscopes on infectious patients poses a potential risk of infection and disease transmission. Endoscopes generally cannot be sterilized. Endoscopes contain internal working, gas, and irrigation channels. These channels may have mechanical damage that complicates hygienic cleaning.

[0002] WO 2004 / 060149 A1 describes: An endoscope with hygienic protection, which consists of a sheath that is closed at the distal end and permeable to optical information at least on the front side, and which can be rolled up like a condom in the axial direction of the endoscope, and of one or more working channels running parallel to the endoscope and ending open at the distal end of the sheath, wherein the working channels are only connected to the distal end of the sheath, one or more vacuum channels with one or more openings ending on the side of the sheath facing away from the patient are provided next to the working channels, and the working channels are positioned between the outside of the endoscope and the inside of the sheath. The invention also relates to a method for applying endoscope protection, wherein a negative pressure is applied between the endoscope and the protective sheath.

[0003] DE 103 21 313 A1 describes a condom-like sheath, which can be folded longitudinally with a variable diameter, is placed around the working part of an endoscope, with the endoscopy working channels being integrated into the wall of this sheath.

[0004] DE 199 18 488 A1 describes: In a phase-optical endoscope, the flexible image guide is inserted into a removable sheath, which is sealed at its front end by a lens. The space between the front end of the image guide and the lens is filled with a transparent liquid that has almost the same refractive index as the lens. After use, the sheath is discarded, while the image guide is inserted into another sheath for reuse.

[0005] DE 102 29 540 A1 describes a protective cover for video cameras that can be inserted into openings, preferably openings in the human or animal body. The protective cover represents an additional covering for the camera housing, which can be attached to and removed from the camera housing and tightly encloses the camera housing and connected parts, such as parts of the connecting cable. invention

[0006] The invention relates to a protective sheath for endoscopes according to claim 1. Some of the preferred embodiments are described in the further claims, in the description and in the drawings.

[0007] The invention proposes providing an endoscope with an outer protective sheath, designed as a disposable sheath that can be replaced after each use, thus contributing to improved hygiene conditions. Using the sheath when a patient has a known infectious disease can contribute to infection prevention and protection of other patients. The invention eliminates these hygienic disadvantages and simultaneously protects the endoscope from external mechanical influences. The use of a lens in the protective sheath improves the optical capabilities.

[0008] The invention consists of a film tube with a smooth surface on both sides, allowing it to be easily pulled over the device or rolled up like a condom. The length of the tube corresponds to the length of the endoscope and can be shortened if necessary.

[0009] At the distal end of the tube is an optically transparent lens-like enclosure. This can be tightly coupled to the distal end of the endoscope with a gel applied to the lens of the endoscope, creating a seamless refractive interface, allowing unobstructed vision. The lens-like enclosure can be colored. The lens-like enclosure can be convex or concave and can have optical properties. The optical viewing conditions of the endoscope can be improved by this optical lens-like attachment. For example, it can provide magnification or a wide-angle view. The film tube and the endoscope form an optical unit.

[0010] The outside and inside of the film tube can have different surface textures. According to the invention, the film is designed to be open-pored. If the open-pored surface is in contact with the inside, a negative pressure can be created on it in a fluid-conducting manner using a fluid communication element such as a tube, so that the film clings tightly to the outside of the endoscope due to the suction. This has the advantage that when the endoscope is pushed, no compression of the film on the device occurs, which would hinder the mobility of the endoscope during intracorporeal use. The outer shell of the tube should advantageously have very smooth walls and slide well over the mucous membrane. It should have hydrophilic properties. It is also conceivable for the open-pored surface to be advantageously located on the outside, and it is also conceivable for the inside and outside to be open-pored.

[0011] The film is impermeable to liquids and gases. It forms a non-permeable barrier between the mucous membrane and the device.

[0012] The film consists of a thin plastic film made of polyurethane, polyethylene, silicone, or PVC. It is tear-resistant, transparent (transparent or opaque), flexible, stretchable, cuttable, and rollable. The lens is made of mineral glass, plastic glass, or polycarbonate.

[0013] One or more continuous channels can be constructed lengthwise into the film tube. These channels can serve as working, irrigation, suction, and gas channels, allowing endoscopic instruments to be guided along the outside of the endoscope to the distal end. The distal ends of the endoscopic instruments can be provided with a slight bend so that, after being removed from the channel, they swivel in front of the optical lens and are optimally positioned in the field of view. This bend facilitates application and eliminates the disadvantage that can arise from the distance between the outer channels and the endoscope's optics. The bend can be semi-flexible or flexible. Common endoscopic procedures, such as taking samples or loop ablation, should be possible. The channels have a diameter of between 1 mm and 5 mm and can be round or slit-shaped.

[0014] The sheath tube also enables the previously impossible sterile use of flexible endoscopes during operations. It can be used to examine surgical wounds, wounds, or surgical access to body cavities (such as the abdominal or thoracic cavity) under sterile conditions using a flexible endoscope. This was previously only possible with sterilizable rigid telescopes. Utilizing this flexibility opens up new diagnostic and therapeutic options, particularly allowing better visualization of regions difficult to reach with rigid telescopes. Since instruments are introduced through additional surgical accesses during laparoscopy, and gas insufflation is also possible through these accesses, the sheath does not need to be equipped with channels for this use. Figures

[0015] The invention is explained by way of example using figures which represent embodiments. Fig. Figure 1 is a diagram of a protective sheath for endoscopes. The film tube (1) terminates blindly at the distal end. A lens (2) is incorporated into the film tube (1) at the distal end. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of Fig. 1. The film tube (1) ends at the distal end in a lens (2). Fig. Figure 3 is a diagram of a protective sheath for endoscopes. The film tube (1) contains two longitudinal channels (3), the distal opening (3a) of which opens into the lens (2). Fig. 4 is a longitudinal view of Fig. 3. In the wall of the film tube (1) there are 2 channels (3), which open into the lens (2) with their distal opening (3a). Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of Fig. 3 and a supplement to Fig. 4. The film tube (1) contains two channels, whose distal opening (3a) opens into the lens (2). An endoscope (5) has been inserted into the film tube. Fig. Figure 6 is a representation of a film tube (1) with a lens (2) at the distal blind end. An endoscope has been inserted into the film tube. Fig. Figure 7 is a representation of a film tube with a lens (2) at the blind end. The wall of the film tube consists of an open-pored film with an open-pored surface (1b) on the inside and a non-open-pored surface (1a) on the outside. The open-pored surface side is fluidly connected to a drainage tube (30). Fig. 8 is a detailed view of the one-sided open-pore film wall with an open-pore film side (1b) which is fluidly connected to a drainage tube (30) and a non-open-pore surface side.

Claims

[1] Protective cover for endoscopes (5), which consists of a film tube (1) which is blind-ended on one side and consists of a membrane which is impermeable to liquids and gases, which is transparent at least at the blind end and which forms an optical unit with the optics of the endoscope (5), wherein the film tube (1) consists of a film which is open-pored on one side, on the open-pored surface of which a negative pressure can be applied with a fluid-conducting communication element by means of a negative pressure pump or a negative pressure generating system. [2] Protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the blind end is an optical transparent lens (2) which forms an optical unit with the optics of the endoscope (5). [3] Protective cover according to previous claims, in which the lens (2) has magnifying and / or wide-angle properties. [4] Protective cover according to previous claims, in which the film wall is equipped with at least one complete channel (3) open on both sides, which extends from proximal to distal to the blind end of the film tube (1) and through which gases and / or liquids can be conducted and / or endoscopic instruments can be introduced. [5] Protective cover according to the preceding claims, into the film channels (3) of which endoscopic instruments are inserted, which have a slight bend in the axis at their distal end. [6] Protective cover according to the preceding claims, which is tear-resistant, elastic, flexible, transparent and / or opaque, stretchable, hydrophilic, thin, cuttable. [7] Protective cover according to previous claims, which can be rolled over the endoscope (5) like a condom. [8] Protective cover according to previous claims, which consists of polyurethane, polyethylene, silicone, PVC. [9] Protective cover according to the preceding claims. In which the lens (2) consists of mineral glass and / or plastic glass and / or polycarbonate.

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