Flexible endoscope

Abstract

A catheter (50) of a flexible endoscope (100). The catheter (50) comprising a catheter body, defined by a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end being connectable to an umbilical section (5) of the flexible endoscope (100), and the distal end being defined with a de- flectable portion. The catheter body defined with a first channel (1), a second channel (2) and a third channel (3). The first channel (1) accommodates at least one of an optical system and a deflection mechanism to deflect the deflectable portion, the second channel (2) and the third channel (3) being structured to expand on operation. The catheter (50) comprising an actuat- ing member (18), introducible into the second channel (2) of the catheter body. The actuating member (18) is operable to selectively expand the second channel (2). The second channel (2), upon expansion, is operable in a plurality of modes, and one of such plurality of modes of the second channel (2) is configured to allow a suction operation in the second channel (2).

Description

FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPETECHNICAL FIELD[1] Present disclosure, in general, relates to the field of biomedical devices. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a flexible endoscope device. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a catheter of the flexible endoscope device, rendering the flexible endoscope device to be capable of collapsing, expanding and / or allowing operations such as suction, injecting, and / or blowing to be performed.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[2] Generally, in the biomedical field, an endoscope device is employed for inspecting and / or analysing internal condition of a subject. Such endoscope devices are, in general, insertable into the subject through an incision being performed at predetermined location, or at vents that are naturally developed or available in the subject. For functioning, the endoscope devices are structured to flexible, i.e., the endoscope devices are generally bendable which allow such devices to move, navigate, and actuate through openings being defined in the subject.[3] Such flexible endoscopes generally include a connector segment, a control segment, and an insertion segment. The insertion segment includes an insertion tube having an opening at a distal end for contacting the subject. The insertion tube includes a conduit and an imaging unit which may be integrally connectable with a deflection mechanism, where the imaging unit and the deflection mechanism along with the conduit are introducible into the subject. The imaging cum deflection mechanism may include, but not limited to, a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, one or more Light Emitting Diode (LED), and the like. Further, the conduit of the flexible endoscope is configured to carry irrigation fluid and accessory instruments in the form of laser fibre, baskets & the like.[4] One of the areas in which the endoscopy is gaining scope is for removal of kidney stones, which is also termed as flexible ureterorenoscopy commonly called Retrograde Intra Renal Surgery (RIRS). For such procedure in the renal section of the subject, the flexible endoscope may be passed through a portion of urinary passage to the urinary bladder of the subject. The flexible endoscope is then passed through ureter, terminal part of which generally has a diameter of about 2 mm to 3 mm. However, for such portion of the ureter to allow passage of the flexible endoscope, it is required for theinsertion tube of said flexible endoscope to be of the same diameter or less, in order to prevent causing any damage to tissues at the renal section of the subject.[5] The flexible endoscopes currently being used for treating kidney stones by a procedure called Retrograde Intra Renal Surgery, where such endoscopes are dimensioned to range from approximately 2.5 to 3.00 mm in cross sectional diameter. An access sheath is being used to facilitate passage of the flexible endoscope to the collecting section of the kidney of the subject. These access sheaths are generally more than 3 mm in diameter. Several access sheaths have been designed to carry out functions of suction of dust and small kidney stone fragments after laser lithotripsy of stones during the procedure of Retrograde Intra Renal Surgery of Kidney Stones. Even small channel of conventional flexible endoscope has been used for sucking the dust.[6] The drawbacks / difficulties / disadvantages / limitations of the conventional techniques / systems explained in the background section are just for exemplary purpose and the disclosure would never limit its scope only to such limitations. A person skilled in the art would understand that this disclosure and below mentioned description may also solve other problems or overcome the other drawbacks / disadvantages of the conventional arts which are not explicitly captured above.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE[7] One or more shortcomings of the conventional techniques are overcome by a flexible endoscope, as described and additional advantages are provided through the flexible endoscope as described in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realised through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.[8] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a catheter of a flexible endoscope is disclosed. The catheter comprises a catheter body, which is defined by a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end being connectable to an umbilical section of the flexible endoscope, and the distal end being defined with a deflectable portion. The catheter body is defined with a first channel, a second channel and a third channel. The first channel accommodates at least one of an optical system and a deflection mechanism to deflect the deflectable portion, and the second and third channel being structured to expand on operation.[9] Further the catheter includes a covering, which is configured to cover substantial portion of the first channel of the catheter body. The inner surface of the first channel ofcatheter is depressed and is concave to accommodate the second & third channels of catheter body. The catheter also includes an actuating member, which is introducible into the second channel of the catheter body. The actuating member is operable to selectively expand the second channel, wherein the second channel, upon expansion, is operable in a plurality of modes, and one of such plurality of modes of the second channel is configured to allow a suction operation in the second channel. The third channel is used for the purpose of irrigation.

[0010] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0011] The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

[0012] Figure 1 illustrates a flexible endoscope including a catheter being capable of operable in a plurality of modes, and one of such plurality of modes of the catheter being configured to allow a suction operation in the flexible endoscope, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 illustrates an actuation member including a plurality of sheaths for the flexible endoscope of Figure 1, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0014] Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a first mode and a second mode the plurality of modes, respectively, of the flexible endoscope, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of a portion of catheter of the flexible endoscope capable of accommodating the actuation member with the plurality of sheaths, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternativeembodiments of the device may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.DESCRIPTION

[0017] While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by the way of examples in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0018] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that a device, assembly, mechanism, system, or method that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a device / system / assembly proceeded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the device or system or method.

[0019] In an embodiment, the term ‘detachable’ refers to portion of the flexible endoscope being able to be spilt into multiple parts, where such parts may be temporarily fixed and then introduced into opening in the subject. Alternatively, the parts may form the flexible endoscope on inserting into the subject separately or during insertion into the openings of the subject.

[0020] In an embodiment, the term ‘suction’ refers to action of creating negative pressure at a tip portion of the flexible endoscope or along entire length of the catheter and in-tum that of the flexible endoscope. Such negative pressure may be produced based on connecting a suction creation device such as pump or vacuum tube or any other element / component which is either integral part of the catheter or that of the flexible endoscope or which may be externally coupled thereto. Alternatively, said term may be interchangeable with drawing process, discharging, dispensing, retrieving and / or removal process. The term ‘suction’ may also be collectively used for drawing process, discharging, dispensing, retrieving and / or removal process.

[0021] In an embodiment, the term ‘deformable material’ may be referred to as a material which is capable of bending elastically and not produce serrations or sharp edges on subjecting to such bending.

[0022] In an embodiment, the term “ancillary device” may be referred to as devices which may be capable of being introduced into a catheter of the flexible endoscope or operating in conjunction with the flexible endoscope for regulating actions to be performed there through. In some embodiment, the ancillary devices of the flexible endoscope, being an ureteroscope or RIRS instrument, may be including a basket or carrier configured to carry stone fragments from the subject, or a laser cable capable of breaking stones, or an element capable of inducing suction through the catheter for selectively regulating pressure within the flexible endoscope and in-turn portion of the subject for retrieving at least the fragments or dust at location of ureterorenoscopy or intrarenal examination.

[0023] The disclosure is described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In the figures, the same element or elements which have the same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the catheter and the flexible endoscope as disclosed in the present disclosure may be used in any flexible endoscope, such as, but not limited to, gastroscope, enteroscope, laryngoscope, bronchoscope, angioscope, RIRS instrument, and the like. Particularly, some of the embodiments may be illustrated and described for ureteroreno scope.

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a flexible endoscope (100) (hereinafter also interchangeably referred to as the ‘device (100)’) and a catheter (50) of said flexible endoscope (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The endoscope (100) includes a handle (4) at a proximal end (A) for being clasped, regulated and operated by an operator. The handle (4) may be structured to include and conceal operational mechanism such as displacement means (not seen in Figures) based on which the flexible endoscope (100) may be operable by the operator. Further, the flexible endoscope (100) or the handle (4) includes a control of deflection mechanism (4a) (as seen in the figure) defined on the handle (4) and away from the operator’s grip, where such deflection mechanism may be operable by the displacement means being included in the handle (4). Due to such configuration, manoeuvring of the flexible endoscope (100) towards or within the subject or field of interest for inspection in the subject may be performed. Additionally, the deflection mechanism is connectable to a deflectable portion (6) of the catheter (50) at an end (B) of the flexible endoscope (100). Thedeflectable portion (6) is configured to be introducible into at least the field of interest and adapted to be in contact with the subject (not shown in the figures), where orientation of the deflectable portion (6) being controlled and selectively regulated by the operator through the deflection mechanism at the handle (4).

[0025] In addition, the flexible endoscope (100) includes an umbilical portion (5) communicatively coupled to the control of deflection mechanism (4a) and the handle (4). The umbilical portion (5) is configured to connect the catheter (50) with the handle (4), where such connection may be configured to establish operation of the deflectable portion (6) based on regulation of control of the deflection mechanism (4a) at the handle (4) or at the proximal end of the flexible endoscope (100). The catheter (50) may be integrally formed with the umbilical portion (5) of the device (100). In an embodiment, the umbilical portion (5) may also provide access to one or more external ports, for irrigation and for inserting accessory instruments with or without irrigation fluid. Here, the catheter body and the catheter (50) have been referred with same numeral 50 for sake of brevity in figures.

[0026] As can be seen in Figure 1, the catheter body is defined with a first channel (1), a second channel (2) and a third channel (3). The first channel (1) accommodates at least one of an optical system and the deflection mechanism (not seen in the figure) which are capable of deflecting the deflectable portion (6) of the catheter (50) upon operation of the control of the deflection mechanism (4a). Here, dimension of the first channel (1) is substantially constant during operation of the flexible endoscope (100) and may have minimal to no variation in such dimension of the first channel (1). The second channel (2) is structured to expand on operation, in comparison to that of the first channel (1). Also, expansion of the second channel (2) may be selective and may depend on mode in which the flexible endoscope (100) is being operated. Further, the flexible endoscope (100) includes an actuating member (18), introducible into the second channel (2) of the catheter body, as seen in conjunction between figures 1, 3a and 3b. The actuating member (18) may be introducible about an introduction passage (not seen in figures) defined in at least one of the umbilical portion (5) or the catheter body, for selectively expanding the second channel (2). In the illustrative embodiment, the actuating member (18) is introduced through an outer port [can be referred to as numeral 9]being defined in either of the umbilical portion (5) or the catheter body (50), to form the second channel (2). The second channel (2) (referred to as numeral 2 in Figure 1, 3a & 3b), upon expansion, is operable in a plurality of modes, and one of such plurality of modesof the second channel (2) is configured to allow a suction operation in the second channel (2).

[0027] As seen in Figure 2, the actuating member (18) of the catheter (50) includes a plurality of sheaths (16). The actuating member (18) is connectable to an actuation mechanism (19) [as seen in Figure 1, 3 a and 3b], to operate at least one sheath (16) of the plurality of sheaths (16), to selectively expand the second channel (2) between the first mode and the second mode. The at least one sheath (16) of the plurality of sheaths includes a film (15) which is expandable and collapsible for operation of the second channel (2) between the first mode and the second mode. The sheath (16) further includes a support element (14) being connectable to at least a side portion of the film (15). i.e., the film (15) which is further supported by the strips (13, 13a, 13b) and a wire (13c) on its undersurface so that the film (15) is deflectable and / or deformable during operation of the catheter (50) between the first mode and the second mode. The support element(14) is displaceable by the actuating mechanism (19) to operate the film (15) between a first mode (seen in Figure 3a) and the second mode (seen in Figure 3b), correspondingly to operate the second channel (2) between the first mode and the second mode (seen as expanded portion of the second channel being depicted in Figure 3b). Also, the actuating member (18) of the catheter (50) including the plurality of sheaths (16) are detachably connectable to at least one edge portion in a groove (11, I la, 11b) defined in the first channel (1) of the catheter body, as seen in Figure 4.

[0028] In an embodiment, the at least one sheath (16) of the plurality of sheaths includes a first strip member (13), which is positioned along a portion of the film (15) in a first orientation. The first strip member (13) being displaceable along movement of the deflectable portion (6) of the catheter (50). Further, the at least one sheath (16) of the plurality of sheaths (16) includes a second strip member (13a) seen in Figure 3a and 3b, positioned at an end of the film (15). Here, it is to be noted that, thickness of the second strip member (13a) is selected to be greater than the thickness of the first strip member (13), in order to reduce dimension of the second channel at the tip portion (7), as depicted with numeral 2 to a dimension as being depicted with numeral 2a, in the second mode, for the suction operation of the catheter (50). Now since the diameter of the second channel (2) at the tip is smaller than the channel itself, this will prevent the dust, debris & small fragments of stone from getting stuck in the second channel (2). Also, as the dimension of the second strip (13a) is greater than the first strip (13) andthat the tip portion (7) of the catheter (50) being thick, movement of the deflectable portion (6) of the catheter (50) is rendered to become easy in the field of interest.

[0029] In an embodiment, the first channel of the catheter (50) & thereof, the flexible endoscope (100) includes a covering (20) which covers entire outer surface of the first channel (l).The catheter (50) as a whole including first channel (1), the second channel (2) and the third channel (3) may be covered by a hydrophilic coating which facilitates introduction of the catheter (50).

[0030] The covering (20) may be configured to define the third channel (3), when the endoscope (100) is operable to the second mode, such that the sheath (16) of the plurality of sheaths (16) is expandable and collapsible for operation of the second channel (2) between the first mode and the second mode. The sheath (16) is displaceable by the support element (14), where such support element (14) on being operable by the actuating mechanism (19) is configured to relatively and correspondingly displace (i.e., by way of twisting and / or, folding or unfolding) the sheath (16) to be in expandable and collapsible forms. Once the actuation mechanism (19) is actuated to operate the catheter (50) in the second mode, the support element (14) is operated (by either twisting in clockwise or anti clockwise direction) to displace the sheath (16) to expand, as seen in Figure 3b. With that, the sheath (16) is configured to define the third channel (3) for irrigation by allowing flow of the irrigation fluid from the proximal end (A) through an irrigation port (10) to the distal end (B) of the catheter (50).

[0031] Now, considering figures 1, 3a and 3b, the third channel (3) [which may be interchangeably referred to as “irrigation passage” or “the irrigation channel” (3)] is bound by covering (20) on one side, the stretchable membrane (17) on the other side, and the sheath (16) on the third side. Here, one end of the stretchable membrane (17) is connectable to at least a portion of the second channel (2) or the support element (14) and another end of the stretchable membrane (17), opposite to the one end, is connectable to at least one of the covering (20) or portion of the first channel (1). In the illustrative embodiment, one end of the stretchable membrane (17) being connectable to at least one edge of first channel (1) or with a sealing element (12b) at one side and other end of the membrane (17), opposite to the one end, being connectable to at least one of the covering (15) or support element (14) or portion of the second channel (2). Based on such connection, the first channel (1) or the sealing member (12b) or groove (11b) and the stretchable membrane (17) is configured to form the third channel (3)between the stretchable membrane (17), one of the plurality of sheaths (16) and the covering (20) of the first channel (1), to allow flow of the irrigation fluid along the catheter body, in the first mode and the second mode of the second channel (2) and in turn the catheter (50).

[0032] In an embodiment, atleast one of the plurality of sheaths (16), the stretchable membrane (17) and edge of the first channel (1) may be externally fused and / or integrally formed. In an embodiment, atleast one of the plurality of sheaths, the stretchable membrane (17) and the edge of the first channel (1) may be fused by at least one of adhesive boding, press-fitting, layup process, snap-fitting, and amongst others.

[0033] In an embodiment, the stretchable membrane (17) may be made of rubber or any polymeric or fibrous material which may be flexible and the stretchable membrane (17) being capable of accommodating one of the sheath (16) of the plurality of sheaths (16) along with being displaceable for operating the catheter (50) between the first mode and the second mode.

[0034] In an embodiment, the first strip members (13) may be positioned along longitudinal direction or lateral direction of the device (100). Alternatively, the first strip members (13) may be positioned on both longitudinal direction and lateral direction of the device (100). In an embodiment, the first strip members (13) may be positioned at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the device (100), where such positioning of the first strip members (13) may allow inflating of the device (100) upon rotation in one direction, while the device (100) may collapse (i.e., reduce in dimension) upon rotation of the first strip members (13) in another direction, opposite to the one direction. Also, the first strip members (13) may be defined with one or more protuberances (not shown in figures) that may resemble screw auger for drawing and retrieving fluid or solid residue along the device (100) and in-turn from the subject.

[0035] In an embodiment, the sheath (16) facilitates in selective inflation of the inflatable material upon supplying the irrigation fluid.

[0036] Referring to figure 4 which illustrates an other embodiment of the endoscope (100). The catheter (50) includes an inner surface (IS) being defined with a depressed and concave profile. This will increase the size of the suction channel. Further, the first sealing element (12), the second sealing element (12a) and a third sealing element (12b) is aligned and attached to the grooves (11, I la, 11b) of the first channel (1), to detachably attach and introduce the actuating member (18) and the stretchablemembrane (17) relative to the catheter body, and in-turn the catheter (50). The actuating member (18) and the stretchable membrane (17) is then slid along the grooves (11, I la, 11b) to introduce the actuating member (18) and the stretchable membrane (17) for operating the catheter (50) in the plurality of modes.

[0037] In an embodiment, the first strip members (13) along with the central wire (13c) extend several centimetres proximally beyond the deflectable portion and then followed by continuous strip (13b). This will have more stiffness and better control of the catheter during operation.

[0038] In an embodiment, second channel (2) together with third channel (3) are detachable from first channel (1) & the umbilical part (5) & therefore from the Catheter (50) & flexible endoscope (100). In such case, channel 2 and 3 can be of single use while the rest of scope can be multiple use.EQUIVALENTS

[0039] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and / or application. The various singular / plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0040] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claimsREFERENCE NUMERICALS

Claims

We Claim:

1. A catheter (50) of a flexible endoscope (100), the catheter (50) comprising: a catheter body, defined by a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being connectable to an umbilical section (5) of the flexible endoscope (100), and the distal end being defined with a deflectable portion, wherein the catheter body defined with a first channel (1), a second channel (2) and a third channel (3), the first channel (1) accommodates at least one of an optical system and a deflection mechanism to deflect the deflectable portion, the second channel (2) and the third channel (3) being structured to expand on operation; and an actuating member (18), introducible into the second channel (2) of the catheter body, the actuating member (18) is operable to selectively expand the second channel (2), wherein the second channel (2), upon expansion, is operable in a plurality of modes, and one of such plurality of modes of the second channel (2) is configured to allow a suction operation in the second channel (2).

2. The catheter (50) as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of modes of the second channel (2) of the catheter body, comprising: a first mode configured to a first volume, to channelize an irrigation fluid from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter body; and a second mode configured to expand the second channel (2) to a second volume, to define a passage for introduction of atleast one of an ancillary device and / or an irrigation fluid into the second channel (2), or to impart suction along the passage defined by the second channel (2) to operate the catheter body in the suction operation, wherein the second volume of the second channel (2) being greater than the first volume of the second channel (2).

3. The catheter (50) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating member (18) comprising a plurality of sheaths along with the third channel (3) is detachably connectable to the grooves (11,1 la, 1 lb) defined in the first channel (1) of the catheter body.

4. The catheter (50) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating member (18) is connectable to an actuation mechanism (19), to operate at least one sheathfirst mode and the second mode.

5. The catheter (50) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one sheath (16) of the plurality of sheaths comprising: a film (15) supported by strips (13, 13a, 13b) and a wire (13c) on its undersurface, expandable and collapsible for operation of the second channel (2) in the first mode and the second mode; and; a support element (14) being connectable to at least a side portion of the film, wherein the support element (14) is displaceable to operate the film between a first mode and the second mode, correspondingly to operate the second channel (2) between the first mode and the second mode.

6. The catheter (50) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sheath (16) of the plurality of sheaths comprising: a first interrupted strip member (13), positioned along a portion of the film in a first orientation, the first interrupted strip member (13) being displaceable along movement of the displaceable portion of the catheter (50) section; and a second strip member (13a), positioned at an end of the film at the opening (8), wherein thickness of the second strip member (13a) being greater than the thickness of the first interrupted strip member (13), to reduce dimension of the second channel (2) to (2a) at the opening (8) in the second mode, for the suction operation of the catheter (50).

7. The catheter (50) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a stretchable membrane (17), wherein one end of the stretchable membrane (17) being connectable to at least one edge of first channel (1) or with the sealing element (12b) at one side and other end of the stretchable membrane (17), opposite to the one end, being connectable to at least one of the film (15) or support element (14) or portion of the second channel (2), and wherein the stretchable membrane (17) being configured to form the third channel (3) between the stretchable membrane (17) and one of the plurality of sheaths (16) to allow flow of the irrigation fluid along the catheter body, in the first mode and the second mode of the second channel (2).

8. The catheter (50) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1-7, wherein the first channel (1) including a first groove (11) located along a first edge of the first channel (1),and a second groove (I la) located between the first edge and a second edge of the first channel (1), and a third groove (11b) located at second edge of the first channel (1) wherein the first (11), second (I la) and third (11b) grooves being adapted to receive the sealing elements (12,12a and 12b) respectively.

9. The catheter (50) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1-8, wherein the second channel (2) configured to expand between the first mode and the second mode, on displacement of plurality of sheaths relative to the sealing elements (12 and 12a) being accommodated in the first groove (11) and the second groove (I la) of the first channel (1) by the actuating mechanism (19).

10. A flexible endoscope (100), comprising: a handle (4) section defined with an umbilical section (5); and a catheter (50), wherein the catheter (50) comprising: a catheter body, defined by a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being connectable to the umbilical section (5) of the flexible endoscope (100), and the distal end being defined with a deflectable portion, wherein the catheter body defined with a first channel (1), a second channel (2), and a third channel (3), the first channel (1) being configured to accommodate at least one of an optical system and a deflection mechanism to deflect the deflectable portion, a second channel (2) being structured to expand on operation and a third channel for irrigation; and an actuating member (18), introducible into the second channel (2) of the catheter body, the actuating member (18) is operable to selectively expand the second channel (2), wherein the second channel (2), upon expansion, expands the third channel (3) and is operable in a plurality of modes, and one of such plurality of modes of the second channel (2) is configured to allow a suction operation in the second channel (2).

11. The flexible endoscope (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein plurality of modes of the second channel (2), comprising: a first mode configured to channelize an irrigation fluid from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter (50) section; and a second mode configured to expand at least a portion of the second channel (2) of the catheter (50) section, to define a passage for introduction of at least one of an ancillary device or irrigation fluid into the second channel (2), or to impart suctionalong the passage defined by the second channel (2) to operate the catheter (50) in the suction operation.

12. The flexible endoscope (100) as claimed in any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein dimension of the second channel (2) expanded in the second mode being greater than dimension of the second channel (2) in the first mode.

13. The flexible endoscope (100) as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising an actuation mechanism (19) located at the umbilical (5) section or the proximal end of the catheter (50) section, wherein the actuation mechanism (19) comprising a means to operate the support elements (14) of at least one sheath (16) of the plurality of sheaths, to selectively expand the second channel (2) between the first mode and the second mode.

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