A device for protecting a tip of an endoscope

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for protecting a tip of an endoscope comprising a cylindrical sheath having a proximal end at a first longitudinal end and a distal end at an opposite second longitudinal end of the sheath, wherein at a first side of the sheath in a longitudinally direction a hinge line is provided in the sheath and on an opposite second side of the sheath in longitudinal direction a through opening is provided in the sheath, so that the shell is formed of a first wall portion extending from the hinge line to the through opening and an opposite second wall portion extending from the hinge line to the through opening, both wall portions being connected to the hinge line, wherein furthermore, operating handles are provided on both sides of the hinge line, such that when the operating handles are moved towards each other, the two wall portions are moved away from each other.

Description

[0001] A DEVICE FOR PROTECTING A TIP OF AN ENDOSCOPE

[0002] The present invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1 .

[0003] Such a device is known in the art . The known devices require cumbersome handling and are not suitable for different types of endoscopes .

[0004] Such a device therefore needs improvement . In particular , there is a need for a device which is simple to use and easy to manufacture .

[0005] No solution to this problem is known in the art .

[0006] The invention now has for its obj ect to provide an improved device of the type mentioned in the preamble .

[0007] In particular , the invention has for its obj ect to provide a device of the type mentioned in the preamble and which can be manufactured in a simple manner .

[0008] The invention also has for its obj ect to provide an improved device which is simple to use .

[0009] In order to obtain at least one of the advantages mentioned above , the invention according to a first embodiment provides a device comprising the features of claim 1 . This device has the advantage that an endoscope can be introduced very well and easily into the device and can remain optimally positioned during transport .

[0010] It has also been found that the device can be produced very simply . Such a synergistic effect is a great advantage .

[0011] The invention therefore relates to a device for protecting a tip of an endoscope comprising a cylindrical sheath having a proximal end at a first longitudinal end and a distal end at an opposite second longitudinal end of the sheath, wherein at a first side of the sheath in a longitudinally direction a hinge line is provided in the sheath and on an opposite second side of the sheath in longitudinal direction a through opening is provided in the sheath, so that the shell is formed of a first wall portion extending from the hinge line to the through opening and an oppo- site second wall portion extending from the hinge line to the through opening, both wall portions being connected to the hinge line , wherein furthermore , operating handles are provided on both sides of the hinge line , such that when the operating handles are moved towards each other , the two wall portions are moved away from each other . The device is made of an elastically resilient material , for instance a suitable plastic, so that when the wall parts are moved away from each other by operating the operating handles , the two wall parts move towards each other again as soon as the force exerted on the operating handles is removed .

[0012] By operating the two operating handles with, for example , the thumb and forefinger of one hand, the two wall parts move away from each other, so that an endoscope can easily be brought into the inner space ; when the handles are released, the two wall parts move back towards each other so that the endoscope is clamped firmly .

[0013] Preferably, both wall portions are provided with openings , so that the endoscope can easily dry after liquid cleaning .

[0014] Preferably the proximal end of the sheath includes an opening for accessing an interior space within the sheath . As a result , inserting an endoscope or the like is very simple and the device will be able to optimally return to its starting position when an endoscope has been introduced into the device .

[0015] It is especially preferred, when the proximal end is used to insert an endoscope into the device , that the distal end comprises a stop for preventing an obj ect inserted into the inner space from being carried out of the inner space . As a result , an endoscope cannot be passed too far through the device , which would result in the end protruding outside the device and the end not being optimally protected by the device according to the invention .

[0016] For further improved clamping of an endoscope , it is preferred that clamping cams are provided on the inside of the wall portions at opposite positions , which are located closer together than inner surfaces of the wall portions . The endoscope is thus held by the clamping cams .

[0017] A further improved return of the wall parts to a closed position can be obtained when two opposite cams , which are provided in the inner space of the device , are connected to each other at their ends . In particular, this effect is obtained when the cams are manufactured from a resiliently elastic material , preferably from the same material as the wall parts of the device according to the invention .

[0018] It is particularly preferred that the through-opening has a non-linear shape , preferably a tooth shape . Also when an endoscope is accommodated in the device , the advantage is thus obtained that no opening is obtained at the ends of the two wall parts through which the endoscope could be removed from the device . In particular , where the two wall ports at least partially engage each other at the continuous opening, good containment of the endoscope is obtained . Interlocking thus preferably takes place both in the empty state ( also referred to as starting state or rest state , in which no endoscope or the like is included in the device ) and in the filled state ( or use state , in which an endoscope or the like is included in the device ) .

[0019] A shape that is less likely to enable removal if the device is accidentally bumped is obtained when the distal end has a rounded shape .

[0020] Interlocking of the wall portions is obtained, for example , because the two wall portions are designed as a tooth shape and the teeth are cut open . In addition, this offers a further improved possibility to dry the endoscope after it has been cleaned with liquid .

[0021] Optimal protection of the endoscope against removal from the proximal end is obtained when the stop is located at a position within the two wall portions .

[0022] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing . The drawing shows in :

[0023] Fig . 1 a side view of a device according to the invention,

[0024] Fig . 2 a perspective front view of a device according to the invention,

[0025] Fig . 3 a top view of a device according to the invention,

[0026] Fig . 4 a perspective front view of part of a device according to the invention, Fig . 5 a perspective side view of part of a device according to the invention,

[0027] Fig . 6 a detail view of a device according to the invention, and

[0028] Fig . 7 a sectional view through a device according to the invention .

[0029] In the figures , the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals . However , not all parts necessary for a practical implementation of the invention are shown for simplicity of illustration .

[0030] Fig . 1 shows a side view of a device 1 according to the invention . An endoscope 2 is passed into the internal space , or inner space , of the device 1 at a proximal end . The distal end of the endoscope 2 rests against a cam 3 so that the endoscope 2 cannot be passed out of the inner space 4 at the distal end of the device 1 . The end of the endoscope is hereby safely accommodated in the device 1 .

[0031] The device 1 is substantially cylindrical , with the wall of the cylinder 5 being cut open, so that there is direct communication between the inner space 4 and the environment . When the endoscope 2 has been cleaned with liquid, the liquid can easily escape from the inner space 4 near the endoscope 2 after cleaning, when the device according to the invention is applied to it for protection, so that the endoscope 2 can dry properly .

[0032] The wall of the cylinder 5 mainly consists of two wall parts 6 , 7 , each of which is formed as interlocking teeth 8 , 9 . In the position shown, in which the endoscope 2 is clamped firmly, the teeth 8 , 9 are located partly alternately between each other . The teeth 8 , 9 are fixedly connected to a common hinge part 10 which is located substantially opposite the ends of the teeth . An operating handle 11 , 12 is provided on each of the two wall parts 6 , 7 near the j oint hinge part 10 , as shown in Fig . 2 . By moving the two operating parts 11 , 12 towards each other , a user can move the oppositely positioned tooth-shaped parts of the wall parts 6 , 7 away from each other so that space is created to insert an endoscope 2 into the inner space 4 or, conversely, to remove it from the inner space 4 . The device 1 is manufactured from an elastically resilient material and the teeth are positioned in the position of rest to engage each other as much as possible , such that the inner space 4 is smaller than the thickness of the endoscope 2 to be accommodated therein . When an endoscope 2 is fed into the inner space , when the force to move the two wall parts apart is removed, the two wall parts will move towards each other and the device 1 will hold the endoscope 2 clampingly .

[0033] Fig . 3 shows a top view of the device 1 , wherein the endoscope 2 is centrally located in the inner space between the cutaway wall parts . The cam 3 is located in the inner space , so that the distal end 13 of the endoscope 2 is optimally located within the outer circumference of the device 1 and the ris k of damage is minimal . The distal end 14 of the device 1 is formed of movable protection elements 15 , 16 whereby an external force on said elements 15 , 16 results in a deformation of said protection elements

[0034] 15 , 16 and the endoscope 2 is exposed to minor forces .

[0035] Also in Fig . 3 additional clamping cams 17 , 18 are shown which clamp the endoscope 2 in a suitable manner .

[0036] Fig . 4 shows a partial section through the device 1 according to the invention, showing clamping cams 17 , 18 which lie tightly against the endoscope 1 and which ensure clamping of the endoscope . As a result , the endoscope 2 is not mainly clamped by the wall parts 6 , 7 , but by the clamping cams 17 , 18 . Fins 19 are provided on the wall parts 6 , 7 , which are formed near a tapered material part 20 of the cut-away wall parts , so that an external force acting on the device 1 only substantially deforms the wall parts 6 , 7 , but has as little effect as possible on the positioning of the endoscope 2 . Furthermore , this ensures a minimum contact surface with the endoscope 2 , which improves optimizes hygiene . Also Fig . 7 shows this optimal support of an endoscope 2 in a device 1 according to the invention .

[0037] Fig . 5 shows a side view of the device 1 with an endoscope 2 and with the distal end 13 of the endoscope 2 located near a pin 3 ' . The pin 3 ' prevents the endoscope 2 from being carried out of the device 1 . Due to the small material thickness of the pin 3 ' , the endoscope 2 will also be excellently protected against exter- nal forces , such as those occurring when falling or during handling and transportation .

[0038] Fig . 6 shows a detailed view of the device 1 , in which the pin 3 ' is clearly visible . In the case of relatively thicker endoscopes , the cam 3 serves as a stop , while in the case of relatively thinner endoscopes , the cam 3 serves to clamp them, for which purpose the cam 3 is designed as two interconnected legs between which thin endoscopes can be clamped . The tip 3 ' serves as a stop for such thin endoscopes .

[0039] The invention also extends to any combination of features described above independently of each other .

[0040] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the figures . The invention is limited only by the appended claims .

Claims

C L A I M S1 . A device for protecting a tip of an endoscope comprising a cylindrical sheath having a proximal end at a first longitudinal end and a distal end at an opposite second longitudinal end of the sheath, wherein at a first side of the sheath in a longitudinally direction a hinge line is provided in the sheath and on an opposite second side of the sheath in longitudinal direction a through opening is provided in the sheath, so that the shell is formed of a first wall portion extending from the hinge line to the through opening and an opposite second wall portion extending from the hinge line to the through opening, both wall portions being connected to the hinge line , wherein furthermore , operating handles are provided on both sides of the hinge line , such that when the operating handles are moved towards each other , the two wall portions are moved away from each other .2 . A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein both wall portions are provided with openings .3 . A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , wherein the proximal end of the sheath includes an opening for accessing an interior space within the sheath .4 . A device as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3 , wherein the distal end comprises a stop for preventing an obj ect inserted into the inner space from being carried out of the inner space .5 . A device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims , wherein clamping cams are provided on the inside of the wall portions at opposite positions , which are located closer together than inner surfaces of the wall portions .6 . A device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein two opposite cams are connected to each other at their ends .

7. A device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the through-opening has a non-linear shape, preferably a tooth shape.

8. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the distal end has a rounded shape.

9. A device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the two wall portions at least partially engage each other at the con- tinuous opening.

10. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the two wall portions are designed as a tooth shape and the teeth are cut open.

11. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the stop is located at a position within the two wall portions.

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