Control mechanisms for articulatable medical devices

Abstract

To provide an endoscope which facilitates arrangement of an intratracheal device and delivery of medicines.SOLUTION: An endoscope device comprises a handle, a shaft projecting from the handle, a flexible tip coupled to the distal portion of the shaft; and first and second pull wires extending from the handle portion through the shaft portion and coupled to the flexible tip. The handle portion includes a control wheel assembly coupled to proximal ends of the first and second pull wires. The control wheel assembly comprises a control wheel having a disc-shaped body rotationally mounted within the handle and having an outer perimeter and a first surface and first and second pull wire troughs provided on the first surface for receiving the proximal ends of the first and second pull wires, respectively. Positioning of the first and second pull wires within the first and second pull wire troughs is performed independently to provide accurate tensioning of the first and second pull wires during assembly of the endoscope device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] An endoscope refers to a medical device that allows for remote examination of the inside of a patient's body. Endoscopes can be used for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, for example, relating to the gastrointestinal, respiratory, reproductive, and urinary systems. To improve the ability to view certain internal structures, endoscopes have been designed with articulating tips. However, such articulating endoscopes have problems with the precision of the articulating tip movement. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0002] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an endoscopic system according to an embodiment described herein. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the interior of the right shell 200 and the control mechanism of FIG. 1 according to embodiments described herein. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a left-front exploded isometric view of the right shell and control mechanism of FIG. 2A. [Figure 2C] 2B is a cross-sectional view of the handle 108 taken along line AA in FIG. 2A. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2B is a right-front exploded isometric view of the left shell and control mechanism of FIGS. 1 and 2A. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2E is a rear view of the control wheel and control lever of FIGS. 2A-2D according to embodiments described herein. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2E is a left side view of the control wheel and control lever of FIGS. 2A-2D according to embodiments described herein. [Figure 3C] 2A-2D according to an embodiment described herein. FIG. [Figure 3D] 2A-2D according to an embodiment described herein. FIG. [Figure 3E] FIG. 2E is a left front isometric view of the control wheel and control lever of FIGS. 2A-2D according to embodiments described herein. [Figure 3F]FIG. 2E is a left rear isometric view of the control wheel and control lever of FIGS. 2A-2D according to embodiments described herein. [Figure 4A] FIG. 13 is a right side view showing an endoscope having a lock assembly according to an additional embodiment described herein. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a right-front exploded isometric view showing the lock assembly of FIG. [Figure 4C] FIG. 5 is a left-front exploded isometric view of the lock assembly of FIGS. 4A and 4B according to an embodiment described herein. [Figure 4D] FIG. 5 is a right side view showing the lock assembly of FIGS. 4A to 4C. [Figure 4E] 4A-4D taken along line BB in FIG. 4D. FIG. [Figure 4F] FIG. 4F is a left front partial isometric view of the handle of FIG. 4E. [Figure 5A] FIG. 4C is a right front isometric view of the control wheels and braking components of FIGS. 4A-4E. [Figure 5B] FIG. 4C is a right rear isometric view of the control wheels and braking components of FIGS. 4A-4E. [Figure 5C] 5B is a cross-sectional view of the control wheel and braking components taken along line CC of FIG. 5A. [Figure 5D] FIG. 5C is a right front partial exploded isometric view of the control wheel and braking components of FIGS. 5A-5C. [Figure 5E] FIG. 5C is a right rear partial exploded isometric view of the control wheel and braking components of FIGS. 5A-5C. [Figure 5F] FIG. 5E is a right side view of the lock lever of FIGS. 5A to 5D. [Figure 5G] FIG. 5B is a right side view of the control wheel and locking assembly of FIGS. 4A-5D, illustrating both the unlocked and locked configurations. [Figure 5H] FIG. 5C is a right side partial cross-sectional view of the control wheel and lock assembly of FIGS. 4A-5D, illustrating both the unlocked and locked configurations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0003] In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements, and in which:

[0004] The following describes a video-based endoscope or catheter system that allows for inspection of a patient's airway to facilitate placement of an endotracheal device (e.g., an endotracheal tube), delivery of medication, and the like. The system uses an embodiment of a video endoscope that includes a flexible tip that is controlled by operating a control lever on the handle of the endoscopic device. According to the embodiments described herein, the video endoscope includes several components to ensure accurate and reproducible positioning of the flexible tip. In particular, the video endoscope can include a control mechanism that includes a circular control wheel having a pair of control wire conduits disposed in the control wheel on either side of a central bore. The control wire conduits each include an enclosed portion for holding a pair of control wires within the pair of control wire conduits. As described herein, the portion of the outer periphery of the control wheel between the exits of the control wire conduits includes an extension or lobe-like portion for engaging each of the control wires to provide a variable articulation ratio at various positions relative to the control wheel when the control wheel is rotated about the central bore.

[0005] According to a further embodiment, the control mechanism can include a brake assembly for locking the control wheel in a selected orientation. In one embodiment, the brake assembly can include a generally tubular brake drum having a portion configured to be received within a central aperture of the control wheel. The lock actuation element is configured to engage a portion of the brake drum to expand the brake drum to engage the central aperture of the control wheel.

[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a video endoscope system 100 according to an embodiment described herein. As shown, the video endoscope system 100 includes an endoscope 102, a data cable 104, and a video monitor 106. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 102 includes a handle 108 and a shaft 110. The shaft 110 is coupled to and extends longitudinally from the handle 108. As described in more detail below, the handle 108 may be formed from two similarly sized halves, referred to as a right shell 200 and a left shell 202, which mate or are otherwise joined together along a longitudinal centerline of the handle 108 to form a lumen 203. When assembled, the handle 108 includes, among other things, a grip 111, a control mechanism 112, a suction port assembly 114, an access port 116, and a data interface 118. The shaft 110, relative to the handle 108, includes a distal end 119, an intermediate section 120, and a proximal end 122. The distal end 119 includes a flexible tip 124. According to the embodiments described herein, the dimensions (e.g., length, outer diameter, and inner diameter) of the shaft 110 can vary based on the intended use of the endoscope 102, such as the intended procedure, the size of the patient, etc.

[0007] During use, the flexible tip 124 of the endoscope 102 is introduced into a body cavity to be investigated (such as the patient's mouth). In some embodiments, a camera module and a light source module are provided at the distal end 118 of the shaft 110 to capture and transmit images of the distal tip 118 and corresponding patient anatomy to the video monitor 106 via the data cable 104. As described below, articulation of the flexible tip 124 may be enabled by one or more pull wires 206 (FIG. 2A) coupled between the flexible tip 124 and the control mechanism 112, which, upon manipulation, causes the flexible tip 124 to deflect or bend in at least one plane.

[0008] The video monitor 106 can provide power to the endoscope 102 via the data cable 104 and can initiate image capture from the endoscope 102. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the video monitor 106 can include a display 128 and a control interface 130. During use, a practitioner (e.g., a medical professional) can interface with the video monitor 106 to initiate image capture, freeze at a particular frame, or adjust certain settings. Although not shown, the video monitor 106 can also include a data cable interface for receiving an end of the data cable 104, a battery or other power source, and a remote monitor interface for allowing the view of the display 128 to be transmitted to one or more other display monitors.

[0009] According to the embodiments described herein, shaft 110 may be formed from several separate pieces. In particular, proximal section 122 and intermediate section 120 of shaft 110 may be formed from a braided semi-rigid polymeric material having a single lumen sized to receive the internal components described below. In contrast, flexible tip 124 may be formed from an injection molded material that includes multiple separate lumens and a series of articulation slits around its circumference.

[0010] FIG. 2A is a left side view showing the interior of the right shell 200 and the control mechanism 112. FIG. 2B is a left front exploded isometric view of the right shell 200 and the control mechanism 112. FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the handle 108 along line AA in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2D is an exploded isometric view of the left shell 202 and the control mechanism 112. As shown, in one exemplary embodiment, the control mechanism 112 can include a control wheel 204, a pair of pull wires 206a and 206b (collectively and collectively referred to as "pull wires 206"), and a control lever 208. FIGS. 3A-3F are rear, left, front, bottom, left front isometric, and left rear isometric views, respectively, of the control wheel 204 and the control lever 208, according to embodiments described herein.

[0011] 2A-3F, the control wheel 204 includes a generally disk-shaped disk-shaped body 210 rotatably mounted in the lumen 203 of the handle 108. As shown, the disk-shaped body includes a left side 212 and a right side 214. In particular, in one embodiment, the control wheel 204 includes a left shank 216 that projects leftward from the left side 212 of the disk-shaped body 210 toward the left shell 202, and a right shank 218 that projects rightward from the right side 214 of the disk-shaped body 210 toward the right shell 200. To accommodate rotatable mounting within the lumen 203, the left shell 202 can include a left boss 220 sized to receive the left shank 216, and the right shell 200 can include a right boss 222 sized to receive the right shank 218. For example, the outer surface of the left boss 220 can receive and engage the inner surface of the left shank 216 and the inner surface of the right boss 222 can receive and engage the outer surface of the right shank 218, although other configurations may be used.

[0012] According to embodiments described herein, the disk-shaped body 210 includes a lobed or cam-like configuration in which at least a portion 224 of the circumference of the body 210 projects radially outward relative to the remainder of the body 210. Thus, at least a portion of the control wheel 204 is provided with a different outer diameter, with a first portion having a smaller outer diameter and a second portion having a larger outer diameter. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the front portion of the body 210 includes a lobed or extended portion 224 that effectively forms an area of ​​increasing radius for engaging the respective pull wires 206. Such a configuration allows a variable pull ratio to be applied to the pull wires 206 as the control wheel 204 is rotated and the pull wires 206 engage the lobed portions 224.

[0013] In addition to the lobes 224, the disk-shaped body 210 may further include an enlarged region 225. Like the lobes 224, the enlarged region 225 may have a larger outer diameter than the remainder of the body 210. In some implementations, the outer diameter of the enlarged region 225 may be the same as the outer diameter of the lobes 224, while in other embodiments, the enlarged region 225 may have a different (e.g., larger) outer diameter. As shown in FIG. 3E, the enlarged region 225, in contrast to the lobes 224, may be configured not to engage or otherwise support the pull wire 206 at its periphery. Specifically, as shown, the lobes 224 may be formed in a region of the body 210 to the left or above the enlarged region 225.

[0014] 2A , the enlarged region 225 can include a portion of the control wheel 204 that may be near the opening 242 in the handle 108 through which the control lever 208 extends. By including the enlarged region 225 in this area of ​​the handle 108, the gap between the control wheel 204 and the opening 242 can be minimized, thereby preventing or minimizing the entry of foreign objects into the lumen 203.

[0015] As shown, body 210 of control wheel 204 includes a pair of pull wire troughs 226 and 228 for receiving and positioning pull wires 206a and 206b, respectively. As shown in Figures 3E and 3F, pull wire troughs 226 / 288 may be formed as parallel protrusions extending from a left side of body 210 in an orientation generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of control wheel 204 and on either side of left shaft portion 216. Pull wire troughs 226 and 228 may be formed near opposing portions 224a and 224b of lobed portion 224 such that forward ends of troughs 226 / 228 terminate near opposing portions 224a and 224b of lobed portion 224, respectively.

[0016] As shown, pull wire troughs 226 and 228 are formed on either side of the left shaft 216, such that rotation of the control wheel 204 in a clockwise direction about the left shaft 216 retracts pull wire 206a relative to the endoscope shaft 110 and advances pull wire 206b into the endoscope shaft 110, thereby deflecting the tip 124 downward relative to the handle 108. Conversely, rotation of the control wheel 204 in a counterclockwise direction about the left shaft 216 advances pull wire 206a into the endoscope shaft 110 and retracts pull wire 206b relative to the endoscope shaft 110, thereby deflecting the tip 124 upward relative to the handle 108.

[0017] 2A and 3A, in one embodiment, the troughs 226 / 228 may be asymmetrically formed with respect to the left shaft 216, with the trough 226 formed closer to the left shaft 216 than the trough 228. However, as shown, the positioning of the opposing portions 224a and 224b of the lobed portion 224 determines the flex geometry to effect motion of the pull wire 206. Notably, in the illustrated embodiment, the distance from the center of the left shaft 216 (i.e., the center of the disk-shaped body portion 210) to each of the portions 224a and 224b is the same. In this manner, rotation of the control wheel 204 about the left shaft 216 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction results in equal momentum of the pull wire 206. In contrast, in other embodiments, the portions 224a and 224b may be asymmetrically positioned such that motion of the pull wire is biased in a particular direction.

[0018] Each pull wire trough 226 / 228 includes a channel 230 for receiving a respective pull wire 206 during assembly of the endoscope 102. The channel 230 may be sized to receive the pull wire 206. In some embodiments, the channel 230 may include a V-groove configuration for seating each pull wire 206 in a specific position relative to the channel 230. According to embodiments described herein, each pull wire trough 226 / 228 includes an enclosure portion 232 for covering at least a portion of the channel 230 of the trough 226 / 228. Such an arrangement prevents a pull wire placed in the trough before or during use from falling out of the channel 230 and becoming disengaged from the lobed portion 224. In some embodiments, the enclosure portion 232 may extend forward from the trough 226 / 228 to the outer periphery of the control wheel 204 to prevent the pull wire 206 from becoming disengaged from the control wheel 204.

[0019] In some embodiments, the body 210 of the control wheel 204 may be provided with a tension pin hole 234 for receiving a tension pin 236 during assembly of the endoscope 102. As shown in FIG. 2B, the tension pin hole 234 may be configured to align with a tension pin boss 238 provided on the right shell 200 such that the tension pin 236 may be received in the tension pin boss 238 through the tension pin hole 234 to fix the rotation of the control wheel 204 relative to the right shell 200 during assembly of the endoscope 102. When the rotation is fixed, the pull wires 206 may be received in the conduits 230 and the tension of each may be adjusted to obtain a neutral setting in which the pull wires 206a and 206b are at equal tension. Once such a neutral setting is achieved, the pull wires 206 may be secured in the troughs 226 / 228, such as via glue or a suitable clamping mechanism. In one embodiment, a self-curing adhesive or UV-curable glue may be applied to the pull wires 206 within the troughs 226 / 228 and allowed to harden or UV-cured. At this point during assembly, the tensioning pins 236 may be removed, thereby allowing the control wheel 204 to rotate freely relative to the handle 108.

[0020] 2A and 2B, to facilitate precise routing of the pull wires 206 through the handle 108, one or both of the shells 200 / 200 can include routing posts 239 projecting inwardly and having a precise configuration for guiding the pull wires 206 and preventing unnecessary wear or binding. As shown, the routing posts 239 can be located at specific intermediate locations within the handle 108 to provide a longitudinal path through the handle 108 that avoids interference with other features contained within the handle 108, such as conduits or tubing associated with the suction port assembly 114 or access port 116, gripper 111, etc., not shown in the drawings. As shown in FIG. 2A, such locations do not have to be symmetrically aligned with the pull wire troughs 226 / 228.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3A and 2C, the control wheel 204 further includes a control lever engagement portion 240. The control lever engagement portion 240 includes a radially inner slot 241 formed in the outer periphery of the body 210 of the control wheel 204 and configured to align with a corresponding opening 242 in the handle 108. As shown in Figure 2C, the opening 242 in the handle 108 may be created by a corresponding slot in the right shell 200 and the left shell 202. In some implementations, the control lever engagement portion 240 may include a clip element 243 for enabling releasable engagement with a corresponding clip portion of the control lever 108, as described below. In other implementations, the control lever 108 may be secured within the control lever engagement portion 204 by other means, such as adhesive, friction fit, etc.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2B, the control lever 208 can include a generally T-shaped T-body 244 having an engagement portion 246 and a shaft portion 248 projecting downwardly from the engagement portion 246. As shown, the engagement portion 246 can be configured for easy forward and backward manipulation by a user's thumb during manipulation of the endoscope 102. In some embodiments, the engagement portion 246 includes a curved lateral profile that generally mirrors the profile of the handle 108. Such a feature minimizes the possibility of the control lever 108 getting caught on various environmental elements such as clothing, furniture, wires / cables, etc. The outer surface of the control lever 108 can include a frictional surface, such as a ribbed, grooved, or knurled surface. Such a configuration reduces the possibility of the user's thumb slipping off the control lever 108 during use. The shaft portion 248 of the control lever 208 can include a profile that corresponds to the slot 241 of the control lever engagement portion 240 and can include a rectangular, cylindrical, or tapered shape. As briefly described above, the shaft 248 may include a clip feature 250 to facilitate releasable coupling of the control lever 208 to the control wheel 204. Although a T-shape is shown in the drawings, in other embodiments additional or alternative configurations may be used, such as a generally cylindrical or spherical knob.

[0023] As briefly described above, the control lever engagement portion 240 of the control wheel 204 includes a clip element 243 configured to allow for removable coupling of the control lever 112. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the clip element 243 can include an opening or hole in the body 210 of the control wheel 204 configured to align with a radially inner slot 241 of the control lever engagement portion 240 at a location aligned with a clip feature 250 of the control lever shank 248 when the control lever shank 248 is fully loaded. As shown in FIG. 2C, the width of the slot 241 at the distal end can be slightly wider than the width of the distal end of the shaft 248 such that the shaft 248 can resiliently flex to allow at least a portion of the clip feature 250 to engage the clip element 243.

[0024] FIG. 4A is a right side view showing the interior of the left shell 202 and the control mechanism 112, showing a lock assembly 400, according to additional embodiments described herein. FIG. 4B is a right front exploded isometric view showing the lock assembly 400 of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is a left front exploded isometric view showing the interior of the right shell 200 and showing the lock assembly 400, according to embodiments described herein. FIG. 4D is a right side view of the handle 108, showing the lock assembly 400. FIG. 4E is a cross-sectional view of the handle 108 along line BB of FIG. 4D. FIG. 4F is a left front partial isometric view of the handle 108 shown in FIG. 4E.

[0025] 4A-4F, the lock assembly 400 can include a brake component 402 and a lock lever 404. In the illustrated embodiment, the brake component 402 includes a generally ring-shaped ring body 406 formed as a single piece, the ring body 406 including a hinge portion 408, a friction portion 410, a flange portion 411, and a lock lever engagement portion 412.

[0026] 5A and 5B are right front and right rear isometric views, respectively, of the control wheel 204 and the brake assembly 402. FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the control wheel 204 and the brake assembly 402 taken along line CC in FIG. 5A. FIG. 5D and 5E are right front and right rear partially exploded isometric views, respectively, of the control wheel 204 and the brake assembly 402. FIG. 5F is a right side view of the lock lever 404. FIG. 5G is a right side view of the control wheel 204 and the lock assembly 400, illustrating both the unlocked and locked configurations. FIG. 5H is a right side partial cross-sectional view of the control wheel 204 and the lock assembly 400, illustrating both the unlocked and locked configurations.

[0027] As shown, a flange portion 411 projects radially outward from the friction portion and includes a shoulder 414 for sliding engagement with an end of a brake shaft 416 that projects rightward from the control wheel 210 coaxially with the right shaft portion 218. As shown, the friction portion 410 of the ring-shaped body 406 includes a central hole 418 formed therethrough and a flange portion 411 having an inner diameter that generally corresponds to an outer diameter of a brake boss 420 that projects leftward from the right shell 200 and is coaxial with the right boss 222 and the brake shaft 416. In a relaxed or initial state, the outer diameter of the friction portion 410 is sized slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the brake shaft 416 such that in an unlocked configuration, the brake shaft 416 is free to rotate relative to the friction portion 410. Such a configuration may be accomplished by forming the brake component 402 of a suitable rigid material.

[0028] As shown, the friction portion 410 of the ring-shaped body 406 includes a gap 422 formed on the outer periphery opposite the hinge portion 408. The lock lever engagement portion 412 includes exposed interiors 412a and 412b of the friction portion 410 near the gap 422. As shown in FIGS. 4A-5B, a portion of the flange portion 411 near the hinge portion 408 is removed to leave only the friction portion 410 having a radially thin and therefore flexible configuration. Such a configuration allows the hinge portion 408 to flex when the width of the gap 422 is increased, such as when an outward pressure is applied to the lock lever engagement portion 412 via the lock lever 404.

[0029] As shown, the friction portion 410 is sized relative to the brake shaft 416 to allow free rotation of the control wheel 204 relative to the ring-shaped body 406 when the lock lever 404 and body 406 / friction portion 410 are in the unlocked configuration. However, when the friction portion 410 is placed in the locked configuration, such as via outward pressure on the interiors 412a and 412b of the lock lever engagement portion 412, the friction portion 410 can frictionally engage with the inner surface of the brake shaft 416, thereby preventing rotation of the control wheel 204 and further flexing of the flexible tip 124. According to embodiments described herein, the texture or material of the outer surface of the friction portion 410 can be configured to increase or decrease frictional engagement with the inner surface of the brake shaft 416 depending on the type of application or procedure for which the device is used. For example, a rough texture or material may be applied to the outer surface of the friction portion 410 and / or the inner surface of the brake shaft 416 to increase friction between the friction portion 410 and the brake shaft 416 upon contact, while in other embodiments, a smoother or smoother surface treatment may be applied to decrease friction upon contact, resulting in the need for increased pressure to effect stopping of the control wheel 204. Thus, according to this description, the friction surface of the friction portion 410 and / or the brake shaft 416 may be adjusted (e.g., decreased or increased) to provide the desired functionality and safety accordingly for any given endoscopic procedure.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4A, the lock lever 404 includes a lock actuator portion 424 and a lever portion 426. The lock actuator portion 424 has a generally rectangular or elliptical configuration having a length "L" and a width "W" with the length being greater than the width such that an effective cam surface is formed when the lock actuator portion 424 rotates within the gap 422. The relative dimensions of the length to width may be selected to provide a desired lock lever actuation performance. For example, a larger length to width ratio will result in less movement of the lever portion 426 to engage the friction portion 410 of the brake ring 406 with the brake shaft 416, and a smaller length to width ratio will result in more movement of the lever portion 426 to engage the friction portion 410 of the brake ring 406 with the brake shaft 416. In any case, the length of the lock actuator portion 424 is selected to be sufficient to provide the amount of expansion of the friction portion 410 required to arrest rotation of the control wheel 204. In one embodiment, corners 427 of lock actuator 424 are curved to allow for a smooth transition between the unlocked and locked configurations. Lock actuator 424 further includes a central hole 428 for receiving lock lever pivot pin 430. As shown in Figures 4B and 4E, right shell 200 includes pivot pin receiving hole 432 for receiving pivot pin 430, which allows pin 430 to remain fixed relative to handle 108 during actuation.

[0031] 4D-4F, right shell 200 is configured to include an opening 434 for receiving a user-manipulable portion of lever portion 426 to protrude through opening 434. Lever portion 426 is thus suitable for protruding through opening 434 and has a suitable length for providing sufficient torque to actuate braking element 402, as described above. In some embodiments, lever portion 426 may be angled with respect to actuating portion 424 to improve reach or use.

[0032] During assembly, the brake component 402 may be positioned in the brake boss 420 and rotated so that the gap 422 is adjacent to the opening 434. The lock actuator 424 is inserted into the gap 422 through the opening 434. The pivot pin 430 is then inserted through the central bore 428 and seated within the pivot pin receiving bore 432. The right axle 218 of the control wheel 204 may then be seated in the right boss 222 such that the friction portion 410 is received within the brake axle 416. Assembly of the control mechanism 112 into the endoscope 102 may then occur as described above with respect to Figures 1-3F.

[0033] 5G and 5H illustrate the lock assembly 400 and control wheel 204 in both locked and unlocked states, with the locked state shown in dashed lines. To actuate the lock actuator 424, as shown in FIGS. 5G and 5H, the lock lever 404 can be rotated (e.g., by pressure of a user's thumb) about the pivot pin 430 such that a portion of the lock actuator 424 exerts outward pressure on the interior 412a / 412b of the lock lever engagement portion 412 (illustrated at elements 404' and 424' in FIGS. 5G and 5H). Continued rotation of the lever portion 426 causes the friction portion 410 to expand outwardly about the hinge portion 408 (illustrated at element 410' in FIGS. 5G and 5H) and engage the inner surface of the brake shaft 416, thereby restricting movement of the control wheel 204. Returning to the unlocked state is accomplished by reversing the rotation of the lock lever 204, thereby removing the outward pressure on the friction portion 410 and allowing the friction portion 410 to return to the relaxed configuration.

[0034] The above description of the embodiments provides examples, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. In the above description, various embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented without departing from the broader scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. Thus, the specification and drawings should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0035] As described herein and illustrated by the drawings, references are made to "exemplary embodiments," "embodiments," and the like, which may include particular features, structures, or characteristics relating to the embodiments. However, use of a phrase or term such as "embodiment" in various places in this specification does not necessarily refer to all embodiments described, does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, and separate or alternative embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. The same applies to terms such as "embodiment."

[0036] The terms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to be interpreted as including one or more items. Additionally, the phrase "based on" is intended to be interpreted as "based at least in part on," unless expressly stated otherwise. The term "and / or" is intended to be interpreted as including any and all combinations of one or more of the associated items.

[0037] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example." Any example or embodiment described as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other examples or embodiments.

[0038] The use of ordinal terms such as "first," "second," "third," and the like in the claims to modify claim elements does not by itself imply any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another, such as the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, the temporal order in which instructions are executed by an apparatus, and so forth, but is merely used as a marker to distinguish one claim element having a particular name from another element having the same name (except for the use of ordinal terms) to distinguish among the claim elements. Similarly, relative terms such as right, left, front, back, above, below, and the like are used to describe the relative positions and relative positioning of various elements described herein, and do not constitute absolute or permanent directions or positions with respect to an external perspective.

[0039] No element, act, or instruction described in the present application should be construed as essential or required to the embodiments described herein unless expressly described as such.

Claims

1. A handle and a shaft protruding from the handle; a flexible tip coupled to a distal end of the shaft; a first pull wire and a second pull wire extending from the handle portion through the shaft portion and coupled to the flexible tip; An endoscope apparatus comprising: the handle portion includes a control wheel assembly coupled to a proximal end of the first pull wire and a proximal end of the second pull wire; the handle includes a control lever coupled to the control wheel assembly; manipulation of the control lever causes rotation of the control wheel assembly, which in turn causes deflection of the flexible tip via the first pull wire and the second pull wire; said control wheel assembly a control wheel having a disk-like body rotatably mounted within the handle, the control wheel having an outer periphery and a first surface; a first pull wire trough and a second pull wire trough disposed in the first surface for receiving the proximal end of the first pull wire and the proximal end of the second pull wire, respectively; Including, positioning the first and second pull wires within the first and second pull wire troughs, respectively, independently to provide precise tensioning of the first and second pull wires during assembly of the endoscopic device. Endoscopic device.

2. the control wheel includes a central axis or aperture about which the disk rotates in use; the first pull wire trough and the second pull wire trough are provided on opposite sides of the central axis or the central hole; The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The endoscopic apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first pull wire trough and the second pull wire trough are parallel to one another.

4. The endoscopic device of claim 1 , wherein the first pull wire trough and the second pull wire trough each include a conduit for supporting the first pull wire and the second pull wire, respectively.

5. The endoscopic device of claim 4 , wherein each of the first pull wire trough and the second pull wire trough further includes an enclosing portion that covers at least a portion of the conduit.

6. 2. The endoscopic device of claim 1, wherein each of the first pull wire trough and the second pull wire trough are configured to receive and retain a sealant or adhesive when the first pull wire and the second pull wire are tensioned.

7. 2. The endoscopic device of claim 1, wherein the outer periphery of the disk near an end of each pull wire trough includes a lobe to provide an area of ​​increased radius at the outer periphery of the control wheel.

8. The endoscopic device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the outer periphery of the disk-shaped body includes an enlarged area near the control lever to prevent foreign objects from entering the handle.

9. a locking assembly for restricting rotation of the control wheel to lock the flexible tip in a selected position; The lock assembly includes: a brake component configured to frictionally engage a brake shaft protruding from the control wheel; a lock lever configured to actuate the braking element; Including, At least a portion of the lock lever protrudes from the handle. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 .

10. The brake component includes a ring-shaped body configured to fit within the brake shaft, The ring-shaped body is A friction portion; A hinge portion; a lock lever engagement portion disposed on the opposite side of the hinge portion; Including, The endoscope apparatus according to claim 9 .

11. the lock lever engagement portion includes a gap for receiving at least the lock actuation portion of the lock lever, The actuation of the lock lever causes the lock actuation portion to engage with the lock lever engagement portion, increasing the width of the gap of the ring-shaped body and moving the friction portion of the ring-shaped body radially outward around the hinge portion; The radially outward movement of the friction portion causes the friction portion to frictionally engage with an inner surface of the brake shaft. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 10.

12. the locking portion has a length and a width, the length being greater than the width; In an unlocked state, the width dimension is given at the gap, Actuation of the lock lever rotates the lock actuator, thereby increasing the size of the lock actuator within the gap and increasing the width of the gap. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 11.

13. The endoscopic device according to claim 12 , wherein the lock actuator includes a curved corner.

14. The endoscopic device according to claim 10 , wherein at least one of the braking shaft or the friction portion has a textured surface.

15. A handle and a shaft protruding from the handle; a flexible tip coupled to a distal end of the shaft; a first pull wire and a second pull wire extending from the handle portion through the shaft portion and coupled to the flexible tip; An endoscope apparatus comprising: the handle portion includes a control assembly coupled to a proximal end of the first pull wire and a proximal end of the second pull wire; the handle includes a control lever coupled to the control assembly; manipulation of the control lever causes rotation of the control assembly, which in turn causes deflection of the flexible tip via the first pull wire and the second pull wire; The control assembly includes: a control wheel having a disk-shaped body rotatably mounted within the handle; a locking assembly for restricting rotation of the control wheel to lock the flexible tip in a selected position; and Including, The lock assembly includes: a brake component configured to frictionally engage a brake shaft protruding from the control wheel; a lock lever configured to actuate the braking element; Including, At least a portion of the lock lever protrudes from the handle. Endoscopic device.

16. The brake component includes a ring-shaped body configured to fit within the brake shaft, The ring-shaped body is A friction portion; A hinge portion; a lock lever engagement portion disposed on the opposite side of the hinge portion; Including, The endoscope apparatus according to claim 15.

17. the lock lever engagement portion includes a gap for receiving at least the lock actuation portion of the lock lever, The actuation of the lock lever causes the lock actuation portion to engage with the lock lever engagement portion, increasing the width of the gap of the ring-shaped body and moving the friction portion of the ring-shaped body radially outward around the hinge portion; The radially outward movement of the friction portion causes the friction portion to frictionally engage with an inner surface of the brake shaft. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 16.

18. the locking portion has a length and a width, the length being greater than the width; In an unlocked state, the width dimension is given at the gap, Actuation of the lock lever rotates the lock actuator, thereby increasing the size of the lock actuator within the gap and increasing the width of the gap. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 17.

19. The endoscopic device of claim 18 , wherein the lock actuator includes a curved corner.

20. The endoscopic device according to claim 16 , wherein at least one of the braking shaft or the friction portion has a textured surface.

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