Techniques for delivering fluids to an endoscope - Patent application

Abstract

Various embodiments described herein may separate one or more functions / components provided via the tower to mitigate the physical barrier created by the umbilicus and reduce the need to connect the umbilicus to the tower. For example, the liquid source may be worn by the user (e.g., a physician) or the liquid source may be modularly attached to the endoscope (such as the handle of the endoscope). Thus, some embodiments described herein may improve the user experience, such as by giving the user greater freedom of movement, without sacrificing functionality. Some embodiments provide a source and means of using water without the need to physically attach the umbilicus to the tower, improving the user's range and ease of movement by removing the need to navigate around water connectors.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for delivering fluid to an endoscope. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, endoscopic devices are widely used to perform diagnostic and / or therapeutic procedures. Such endoscopic devices sometimes include fluidic functions, such as those configured to deliver fluid to the end of the endoscope for spraying at a target site within the patient's body. In lens cleaning, a liquid, such as sterile water, is provided at relatively high pressure to spray across the camera lens to remove debris from the camera lens. A water source for lens cleaning and washing typically includes one or more fluid reservoirs with tube and cap assemblies that connect to the endoscope channels and valves via an umbilicus to create a plumbing circuit to achieve the described gas and water functions. Such tube and cap assemblies are generally available in a variety of configurations with a water bottle, a cap that fits the particular bottle, and an array of tubes that are extendable through openings in the cap. The tubes are typically arranged to accommodate a particular configuration of endoscopic instruments and valves.

[0003] It is with these considerations in mind that the improvements of the present disclosure may be useful. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to necessarily identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a device including an umbilicus, an elongate member, and a handle fixedly coupled to the umbilicus and the elongate member. The elongate member may include at least one lumen. The handle may include a control interface and a supply port. The control interface may be operable to control communication between the supply port and the at least one lumen. The handle may include at least one electrical connection to the elongate member. The liquid supply may include an adapter and a reservoir removably coupled to the adapter, the adapter being removably coupled to the handle via the supply port.

[0006] In various embodiments, the liquid source includes a pump for flowing fluid from the reservoir into the at least one lumen in response to operation of the control interface. In various such embodiments, the pump includes a peristaltic pump. In some embodiments, the liquid source includes a compressed gas container for flowing fluid from the reservoir into the at least one lumen in response to operation of the control interface. In many embodiments, the liquid source is disposed within the wearable device. In many such embodiments, the wearable device includes a backpack. In some such embodiments, the wearable device includes a power source configured to operate the liquid source. In some embodiments, the adapter includes threads onto which the reservoir screws. In various embodiments, the supply port includes threads onto which the adapter screws. In some embodiments, the control interface includes an air / water valve. Many embodiments include a sensor communicatively connected to the liquid source, the sensor configured to indicate a position of the control interface, and the liquid source includes a pump configured to flow fluid from the reservoir into the at least one lumen in response to a position of the control interface indicated by the sensor. In some embodiments, the liquid source includes a condenser configured to extract liquid from the atmosphere and funnel the liquid into the reservoir. Various embodiments include a gas source configured to pressurize the reservoir in response to operation of the control interface. Some embodiments include a tower including a video processor, an umbilicus coupling the handle to the tower, the video processor coupled to at least one electrical connection in the handle via the umbilicus. In some such embodiments, the tower includes a gas source configured to pressurize the reservoir in response to operation of the control interface.

[0007] In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an apparatus including a wearable device, an elongate member, a handle, and a liquid supply. The elongate member may include at least one lumen. The handle may be fixedly coupled to the wearable device and the elongate member. The handle may include a control interface and a supply port. The control interface may be operable to control communication between the supply port and the at least one lumen. The handle may include at least one electrical connection between the wearable device and the elongate member. The liquid supply may include an adapter and a reservoir removably coupled to the adapter, the adapter being removably coupled to the handle via the supply port.

[0008] In various embodiments, the wearable device includes a gas source for flowing fluid from the reservoir into at least one lumen in response to operation of the control interface. In some embodiments, the wearable device includes a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly connect a video processor to the elongate member via at least one electrical connection. Some such embodiments include a tower including a video processor and a wireless transceiver configured to connect to the wireless transceiver in the wearable device. In many embodiments, the wearable device includes a condenser configured to extract liquid from the atmosphere and funnel the liquid into the reservoir. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an aspect of the present subject matter in accordance with one embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 illustrates an aspect of the present subject matter in accordance with one embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates an aspect of the present subject matter in accordance with one embodiment. [Figure 4A] 1 illustrates an aspect of the present subject matter in accordance with one embodiment. [Figure 4B] 1 illustrates an aspect of the present subject matter in accordance with one embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 illustrates an aspect of the present subject matter in accordance with one embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates an aspect of the present subject matter in accordance with one embodiment. [Figure 7A] 1 illustrates an aspect of the present subject matter in accordance with one embodiment. [Figure 7B] 1 illustrates an aspect of the present subject matter in accordance with one embodiment. [Figure 7C] 1 illustrates an aspect of the present subject matter in accordance with one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Physicians may use endoscopes to perform several procedures. During procedures, physicians frequently need to move their body relative to the endoscope handle to perform actions within the human body that are critical to the particular procedure. In these cases, the physician may be restricted by the body of the umbilicus, which houses the connection between the scope and the tower. One important function provided by the scope tower is to have a liquid source (e.g., water). This liquid source may function to provide water to remove debris from the lens to improve visibility or to flush debris found within the body. In some procedures, such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy (ELS), and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), it can be cumbersome for the physician to continually try to contort their body to avoid the umbilicus while performing the procedure. Thus, the umbilicus may act as a physical barrier that prevents the full freedom of movement of the individual using the endoscope. This can limit the range of motion and may require the physician to assume an uncomfortable position to properly perform the procedure.

[0011] To mitigate the physical barrier created by the umbilicus and reduce the need to connect the umbilicus to the tower, various embodiments described herein may separate one or more functions / components provided via the tower. For example, a liquid source may be worn by a user (e.g., a physician) or the liquid source may be modularly attached to the endoscope (such as the handle of the endoscope). Thus, some embodiments described herein may improve the user experience, such as by giving the user greater freedom of movement, without sacrificing functionality. Some embodiments provide a source and means of using water without requiring the umbilicus to be physically attached to the tower, improving the user's range of motion and ease of movement by eliminating the need to navigate around water connectors. Various embodiments do not include a physical connection between the scope and the tower, eliminating the need to navigate a connection between the scope and the tower.

[0012] The present disclosure will be described with reference to an exemplary medical system that may be used in an endoscopic medical procedure. However, it should be noted that this reference to a particular procedure is provided for convenience only and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the concepts underlying the disclosed devices and associated methods of use may be utilized in any suitable procedure, medical or otherwise. The present disclosure can be understood with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0013] As used herein, the term "distal" refers to the portion of the device that is furthest from the user when the device is introduced into a patient. In contrast, the term "proximal" refers to the portion of the device that is closest to the user when the device is placed in the patient. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or device that includes a list of elements does not necessarily include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or device. The term "exemplary" is used in the sense of "example" rather than "ideal." Additionally, as used herein, the terms "about," "approximately," and "substantially" refer to a range of values ​​within + / - 10% of the stated or implied value. Additionally, terms indicating the geometry of components / surfaces refer to exact and approximate shapes.

[0014] Although embodiments of the present disclosure are described with specific reference to a tube assembly for use in dispensing liquid from a reservoir (e.g., a box or bottle, etc.) and one or more gases from different sources, it should be understood that such embodiments may be used to deliver liquid and / or gas to and / or from an endoscope for a variety of different purposes during an endoscopic procedure, including, for example, insufflation to a patient, facilitating lens cleaning, and / or cleaning the working end of the endoscope within the patient and aiding in flushing / rinsing a body cavity, and / or removing debris from the endoscopic field of view within a body cavity. The use of "lens cleaning" refers to flowing a liquid (e.g., water) through a nozzle or other opening at the distal end of the endoscope, typically at a higher flow rate and pressure compared to washing, for the purpose of washing or otherwise cleaning or sweeping a lens covering an imaging portion or light source at the distal end of the endoscope.

[0015] Although the present disclosure includes a description of a bottle and tube set (e.g., a tube assembly) suitable for use with an endoscopic system to supply liquid to an endoscope, the devices, systems, and methods herein can be implemented in other medical systems requiring fluid delivery and for a variety of other purposes.

[0016] It should be noted that references herein to "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," and the like, indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but that not all embodiments necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it will be within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, unless expressly stated to the contrary, whether or not explicitly described. That is, it is believed that various individual elements described below, even if not explicitly shown in a particular combination, can be combined or arranged with each other to form other additional embodiments or to complement and / or enhance the described embodiments, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0017] 1 and 2 and the corresponding description show a general case of how fluid may be provided to the distal end of an endoscope. However, in various embodiments described herein, one or more components in tower 202 may be relocated, such as to a wearable or handheld device, or integrated into handle 115, to improve the usability of endoscope 100. For example, relocating one or more components from the tower may reduce or eliminate a physical barrier to the user created by umbilicus 260. In various embodiments, reducing a physical barrier to the user created by umbilicus 260 may include making umbilicus 260 more flexible and / or thinner, such as by removing one or more fluid channels passing through the umbilicus. In some embodiments, all physical barriers created by umbilicus 260 may be eliminated, such as by removing all connections between handle 115 and tower 202. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

[0018] 1-2, an exemplary endoscope 100 and system 200 is shown that may include an elongate member 100a that is insertable into a patient. A light source 205 provides illumination to a distal portion 100b of the endoscope 100 that may house an imager (e.g., a CCD or CMOS imager) (not shown). The light source 205 (e.g., a lamp) is housed in a tower 202 that includes a video processing unit 210 or video processor that processes signals input from the imager and outputs a processed video signal to a video monitor (not shown) for display. In some embodiments, the tower 202 also functions as a component of an air / water supply circuit by housing a booster pump 215 (i.e., a gas supply), such as an air supply pump, within the unit. In the illustrated embodiment, the video processing unit 210 of the tower 202 houses the booster pump 215 and the light source 205.

[0019] The endoscope shaft 100a may include a distal tip 100c at a distal portion 100b of the shaft 100a and a flexible curved portion 105 proximal to the distal tip 100c. The flexible curved portion 105 may include an articulation joint (not shown) to aid in steering the distal tip 100c. On the end face 100d of the distal tip of the endoscope 100 is a gas / lens cleaning nozzle 220 for supplying gas to insufflate the interior of the patient at the treatment area and water to clean the lens covering the imager. A cleaning opening 225 in the end face 100d supplies cleaning fluid to the treatment area of ​​the patient. An illumination window (not shown) for transmitting illumination light to the treatment area and an opening 230 to a working channel 235 extending along the shaft 100a for passing a tool to the treatment area may also be included on the face 100d of the distal tip 100c. The working channel 235 extends along the shaft 100a to a proximal channel opening 110 positioned distally of the operating handle 115 of the endoscope 100. The biopsy valve 120 may be utilized to seal the channel opening 110 against unwanted fluid escape. In some embodiments, the channel opening 110 may include a Luer connection. In some such embodiments, the biopsy valve 120 may be coupled to the channel opening 110 via a Luer connection. In various embodiments, the biopsy valve 120 may include or refer to one or more of a biopsy cap, a biopsy port cap, and a biopsy port seal. In one embodiment, the biopsy valve 120 may include a polymer cap.

[0020] The operating handle 115 may be provided with knobs 125 for providing remote four-way steering of the distal tip via wires connected to articulation joints in the bendable flexible section 105 (e.g., one knob controls up / down steering and another knob controls left / right steering). A number of video switches 130 may be arranged on the proximal end side of the handle 115 for remotely operating the video processing unit 210. In addition, the handle is provided with a double valve hole 135 for receiving a gas / lens cleaning liquid valve 140 (or air / water valve) for performing insufflation gas and lens water supply operations. A gas supply line 240a and a lens cleaning liquid (e.g., liquid) supply line 245a extend distally from the gas / water valve 140 along the shaft 100a and converge at the distal tip 100c proximal to the gas / cleaning liquid nozzle 220 (FIG. 2). The other valve hole 135 receives a suction valve 145 for performing suction operation. A suction supply line 250 a extends distally along shaft 100 a from suction valve 145 to a junction point that communicates with the working channel 235 of endoscope 100 .

[0021] The operating handle 115 is electrically and fluidly connected to the tower 202 via a flexible umbilicus 260 and a connector portion 265 that extends between the tower 202 and the flexible umbilicus 260. The flexible umbilicus 260 has a gas (e.g., air or CO2) supply line 240b, a lens cleaning fluid supply line 245b, a suction supply line 250b, a cleaning fluid supply line 255b, a light guide (not shown), and an electrical signal cable (not shown). When the connector portion 265 is plugged into the video processing unit 210, it connects the light source 205 and the light guide within the video processing unit. The light guide extends along the length of the umbilicus 260 and the endoscope shaft 100a and transmits light to the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100. Connector portion 265 also connects air pump 215 to gas supply line 240 b in umbilicus 260 when plugged into tower 202 .

[0022] A liquid reservoir 270 (e.g., a water bottle or other type of container for holding fluid) is fluidly connected to the endoscope 100 via the connector portion 265 and the umbilical 260. A portion of the gas supply tube 240c leads from one end positioned in a gap 275 between the top 280 of the reservoir 270 (e.g., a bottle cap or closure device) and the remaining water 285 in the reservoir to a removable gas / lens cleaning fluid connection 290 outside the connector portion 265. The gas supply line 240b from the umbilical 260 branches in the connector portion 265 to communicate with the gas supply tube 240c of the removable gas / lens cleaning fluid connection 290 and the air pump 215. A portion of the lens cleaning fluid tube 245c, one end of which is located at the bottom of the reservoir 270, passes through the top 280 of the reservoir to reach the same removable connection 290 as the gas supply tube 240c of the connector portion 265. In other embodiments, the connections may be separate, such as located in a wearable or portable device or on the handle 115, and / or may be separate from one another. The connector portion 265 also has a removable irrigation fluid connection 293 for an irrigation fluid supply tube (not shown) that extends from an irrigation fluid source (not shown) to an irrigation fluid supply line 255b in the umbilicus 260. In some embodiments, the irrigation fluid is supplied via a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump) from a water source (not shown) that is separate from the reservoir 270. In other embodiments, the irrigation fluid supply tube and the lens cleaning fluid tube 245c may be supplied with water from the same fluid reservoir. The connector portion 265 also includes a removable suction connection 295 for a suction supply line 250b and a suction supply line 250a that communicate a vacuum source (e.g., in-house suction) (not shown) to the umbilicus 260 and the endoscope 100.

[0023] Gas supply line 240b and lens cleaning fluid supply line 245b are connected to valve hole 135 for gas / water valve 140, such that operation of the gas / water valve within the hole is configured to control the supply of gas or lens cleaning fluid to distal tip 100c of endoscope 100. Suction supply line 250b is connected to valve hole 135 for suction valve 145, such that operation of the suction valve within the hole is configured to control suction applied to working channel 235 of endoscope 100.

[0024] With reference to FIG. 2, an exemplary operation of an endoscope system 200 including an endoscope such as the endoscope 100 described above will be described. Air from an air pump 215 in the tower 202 flows through a connector portion 265 and branches through a gas supply line 240b in the umbilicus 260 to a gas / water valve 140 on the operating handle 115, and similarly branches through a gas supply tube 240c via a connection 290 on the connector portion 265 to a water reservoir 270. When the gas / water valve 140 is in a neutral position, if the user's finger is not on the valve, air can flow out of the valve to atmosphere. In a first position, the user's finger is used to block the vent to atmosphere. Gas can flow out of the valve 140, down the gas supply line 240a, and out of the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100, for example, to insufflate a treatment area of ​​a patient. When the gas / water valve 140 is pushed downward to a second position, gas is prevented from exiting the valve, allowing the pressure of the air passing from the air pump 215 to build up in the water reservoir 270. Pressurizing the water supply forces water out of the lens cleaning solution tube 245c, through the connector portion 265, the umbilicus 260, through the gas / water valve 140, down the lens cleaning solution supply line 245a, merges with the gas supply line 240a, and exits the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100 via the gas / lens cleaning solution nozzle 220. The air pump pressure can be adjusted to provide the lens cleaning water at a relatively low flow rate compared to the supply of cleaning solution.

[0025] The flow rate of the lens cleaning solution is controlled by the gas pressure in the water reservoir 270. As the gas pressure in the water reservoir 270 begins to drop as water is forced out of the reservoir 270 through the lens cleaning solution tube 245c, the air pump 215 replaces the lost air supply in the reservoir 270 to maintain a substantially constant pressure, which in turn provides a substantially constant lens cleaning solution flow rate. In some embodiments, a filter (not shown) may be placed in the path of the gas supply tube 240c to remove undesirable contaminants or particles from passing into the water reservoir 270. In some embodiments, an outflow check valve arrangement or other one-way valve arrangement (not shown) may be placed in the path of the lens cleaning solution supply tube to help prevent water from flowing back into the reservoir 270 after it has passed through the valve.

[0026] A relatively high flow rate is typically required for cleaning fluid compared to lens cleaning fluid, since its primary use is to remove debris from the patient's treatment area that would obscure the user's field of vision. Cleaning is typically accomplished by use of a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump) as described. In embodiments with a separate water source for cleaning fluid, a tube located at the bottom of the water source passes through the top of the water source and into the upstream head of the pump. A downstream tube of pump 255c connects to cleaning fluid delivery line 255b in umbilicus 260 and cleaning fluid supply line 255a of endoscope 100 via cleaning fluid connection 293 on connector portion 265. When cleaning is required, by operating the cleaning pump, such as by pressing a foot switch (not shown), fluid is pumped from the water source, through cleaning fluid connection 293, through cleaning fluid supply line 255b in the umbilicus, down the cleaning fluid supply line in the shaft 100a of the endoscope, and to the distal tip 100c. An air vent (not shown) may be included in the top 280 of the water reservoir 270 to equalize pressure in the water source as water is pumped out of the irrigation solution supply tube. The vent prevents atmospheric air from entering the water source and building up negative pressure in the water source. The negative pressure may create a vacuum that draws undesirable material from the patient, through the endoscope, and toward the water source. In some embodiments, an outflow check valve arrangement similar to the lens cleaning solution tube 245c or other one-way valve arrangement (not shown) may be placed in the path of the irrigation solution supply tube to help prevent backflow into the reservoir after the water has passed through the valve.

[0027] 3 shows a block diagram of an endoscopic system 300 with a liquid source 308 directly coupled to a handle 306, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the endoscopic system 300 includes a tower 302, an umbilicus 304, a handle 306, a liquid source 308, and an elongate member 310. The tower 302 may include a gas source 312, a light source 314, and a video processor 316. By directly coupling the liquid source 308 to the handle 306, the umbilicus 304 of the endoscopic system 300 has greater flexibility compared to the umbilicus 260 of the endoscopic system 200. In many embodiments, the handle 306 may include at least one electrical connection to the elongate member 310, such as one or more electrical connections between the umbilicus 304 and the elongate member 310. It will be understood that additional or alternative components may be included in or excluded from the endoscopic system 300 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the gas source 312 may be integrated with the liquid source 308. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

[0028] In various embodiments, the liquid source 308 may provide lens cleaning fluid and / or cleaning fluid to the elongate member 310 based on manipulation of a control interface on the handle 306. In various embodiments, the liquid source 308 may be removably coupled to the handle 306 and easily replaced with additional liquid sources. In one or more embodiments, the liquid source 308 may include a means for forcing liquid to flow through the handle and into the elongate member 310, such as by pressurizing the liquid. In other embodiments, a gas source 312 may be utilized to pressurize liquid in the liquid source 308 and force the liquid through the handle and into the elongate member 310. It will be understood that references to tubes, lines, channels, and / or components in communication are meant to include lumens therein and / or therebetween.

[0029] In some embodiments, the handle 306 can include a supply port to which the liquid source 308 couples. The liquid source 308 can include an adapter and a reservoir. The adapter can couple to the supply port of the handle 306 and to the reservoir. In some embodiments, the adapter can include a quick disconnect to allow for easy replacement of the reservoir. In various embodiments, the liquid source 308 can include a diaphragm or bladder that is utilized to push the liquid from the reservoir. For example, the reservoir can be collapsible and the liquid source 308 can include a compressed gas container that pushes the liquid from the reservoir, such as by filling a bladder in the liquid reservoir. In another example, the adapter of the handle 306 can be configured to couple to a gas source and introduce gas into the reservoir to push the liquid out.

[0030] In various embodiments, the handle 306 may include a sensor capable of determining a position of a control interface on the handle. In some such embodiments, the liquid source 308 may provide liquid to the elongate member 310 based on data provided by the sensor. Many embodiments may include one or more sensors communicatively connected to the liquid and / or gas source to control operation of the liquid and / or gas source. In many embodiments, one or more control interfaces described herein may include the suction valve 145 and / or the gas / lens cleaning liquid valve 140. In various embodiments, the light source 314 may be the same as or similar to the light source 205. In one embodiment, the light source 314 may provide illumination to the distal end of the elongate member 310 via an optical fiber. The video processor 316 may be the same as or similar to the video processing unit 210.

[0031] 4A and 4B show an exemplary embodiment of an endoscopic system 400 including a liquid source 408 directly coupled to a handle 406, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. The endoscopic system 400 includes a tower 402, an umbilicus 404, a handle 406, a liquid source 408, an elongate member 410, and a wearable device 424. As shown in FIG. 4A, the tower 402 is coupled to the handle 406 via the umbilicus 404. The handle 406 can include a supply port 420, a control interface 422, and a portion of a cleaning fluid supply line 412. As shown in FIG. 4B, the wearable device 424 can include a belt 426 including multiple replacement reservoirs 428b, 428c, 428d. In various embodiments, the reservoir 428a can be replaced with the reservoirs 428b, 428c, 428d. It will be understood that additional or alternative components may be included in, or excluded from, endoscopic system 400 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

[0032] The control interface 422 may be used to control communication between the cleaning fluid supply line 412 and / or the lens cleaning fluid supply line 416 and the supply port 420. In various embodiments, the control interface 422 may include an air / water valve. In some embodiments, the handle 406 may include a sensor that is utilized by the liquid supply 408 to determine whether to provide liquid to the cleaning fluid supply line 412 or the lens cleaning fluid supply line 416 based on the position of the control interface 422. The liquid supply 408 may include an adapter 418 and a reservoir 428a. The adapter 418 may be removably or fixedly coupled to the supply port 420 to facilitate communication between the reservoir and the supply port 420. In various embodiments, the supply port 420 may include threads into which the adapter 418 is screwed. Additionally or alternatively, the adapter 418 may include threads into which the reservoir is screwed. In the illustrated embodiment, the umbilicus 404 includes a gas supply line 414, but the umbilicus 404 does not include a cleaning fluid supply line or a lens cleaning fluid supply line. Instead, liquid for the lens cleaning fluid and / or cleaning fluid is supplied via a liquid source 408 coupled to the handle 406. In the illustrated embodiment, the gas supply line 414 includes a "T" junction that allows a reservoir to be pressurized and used to push liquid from the liquid source 408 towards the elongate member 410.

[0033] One of the key components for using liquids (e.g., water) in an endoscopic procedure is for the scope to have a source to draw water from. The endoscopic system 400 may allow the physician to have a set of reservoirs 428a, 428b, 428c, 428d (or reservoirs 428) that can be quickly switched between. The reservoirs 428 may be disposable or reusable. In some embodiments, the reservoirs 428 may include water bottles or packets. The reservoirs 428 may be attached either directly to the scope or via an additional device (e.g., adapter 418) that acts as an intermediary between the reservoirs and the cleaning fluid supply line 412 and the lens cleaning fluid supply line 416.

[0034] Another important component to using liquids (e.g., water) in endoscopic procedures is the ability to pressurize the water and force it through the scope's water channels (e.g., irrigation fluid supply line 412 and / or lens cleaning fluid supply line 416). In some embodiments, the liquid supply 408 includes a diaphragm or bladder that squeezes the liquid in the reservoir and pushes it out. In various embodiments, the squeezing force may be achieved by various means, such as a piston, hydraulics, an air expansion chamber, a foot pedal, or gears with a lead screw. A gas supply may operate based on a similar squeezing force. In the illustrated embodiment, the pressure supply is provided from the tower 402 via the umbilicus 404 and gas supply line 414. For example, fluid may be pushed from the reservoir 428a in a manner similar to the pressurizing pump 215 of the endoscopic system 200.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an endoscopic system 500 including a wearable device 516 incorporating a gas source 510 and a liquid source 506, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The endoscopic system 500 eliminates a physical connection between the tower 502 and the handle 504. Instead, the wearable device 516 includes a gas source 510 and a liquid source 506. In addition, the tower 502 and the wearable device 516 include wireless transceivers 512, 518 to facilitate communication between the video processor 514 and the elongate member 508 via at least one electrical connection in the handle 504. Thus, in various embodiments, the elongate member 508 may include a sensor, such as a video camera. In some embodiments, the wearable device 516 or the handle 504 may include a light source coupled to the elongate member 508, such as in a manner similar to the light source 314. In one embodiment, the light source may be coupled to an optical fiber that extends to the distal end of the elongate member 310. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

[0036] The handle 504 includes a sensor 520 that is utilized to determine the position of one or more control interfaces and activate one or more of the gas source 510 and the liquid source 506, such as to provide gas, lens cleaning fluid, and / or cleaning fluid to the elongate member 508. In some embodiments, the handle 504 includes one or more electrical connections to the elongate member 508. In some embodiments, the liquid source 506 may provide liquid at a first flow rate for the lens cleaning fluid and a second flow rate for the cleaning fluid. In some such embodiments, the first flow rate may be lower than the second flow rate. It will be understood that additional or alternative components may be included in or excluded from the endoscopic system 500 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the sensor 520 may be excluded from the handle 504. The video processor 514 may be the same as or similar to the video processing unit 210.

[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of an endoscopic system 600 including a wearable device 608 that wirelessly connects to a tower 616 in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. The endoscopic system 600 includes a handle 602, an elongate member 604, a wearable device 608, and a tower 616. The handle 602 may be coupled to the wearable device 608 via a supply port 618. In some embodiments, the connection between the handle 608 and the wearable device 608 may be referred to as an umbilicus. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 602 includes a control interface 610 that includes a sensor 606. In many embodiments, the control interface 610 includes an air / water valve. In various embodiments, the sensor 606 is utilized by the wearable device 608 to determine a position of the control interface 610, and based on the position of the control interface 610, the wearable device 608 may provide one or more of air, lens cleaning fluid, and cleaning fluid to the elongate member 604. In one embodiment, a number of control interfaces may be included along with a number of sensors to control the provision of one or more of air, lens cleaning fluid, and cleaning fluid to the elongate member 604. For example, a user may manually select whether cleaning fluid or lens cleaning fluid is provided. In one such example, cleaning fluid may be provided unless the control interface 610 is pressed. In some embodiments, the speed of the pump may be controlled based on the position of the control interface 610. In some such embodiments, a variable flow rate for lens cleaning fluid and / or cleaning fluid may be provided based on the position of the control interface 610. It will be understood that additional or alternative components may be included in or excluded from the endoscopic system 600 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the sensor 606 may be excluded from the handle 602. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

[0038] 7A-7C show an exemplary embodiment of a wearable device 706 including a liquid source 708, according to one or more embodiments described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the wearable device 706 includes a backpack 710 with straps 712, which is coupled to a user 702 with an arm 704. The liquid source 708 includes a reservoir 714, a pump 716, a power source 718, a supply tube 720, and a condenser 738. It will be understood that additional or alternative components may be included in or excluded from the wearable device 706 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a gas source may be incorporated into the wearable device 706. In another example, the condenser 738 may be excluded from the liquid source 708. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 7A, in many embodiments, a power source 718 may be utilized to operate the pump 716. In various embodiments, the power source 718 may include a battery. In the illustrated embodiment, the pump 716 includes a peristaltic pump. In other embodiments, one or more of a rotary lobe pump, a progressive cavity pump, a rotary gear pump, a piston pump, a diaphragm pump, a screw pump, a gear pump, and a hydraulic pump may be utilized. Similarly, one or more of the gas sources described herein may include one or more of the pump types described above to provide the gas flow. In various embodiments, a supply tube 720 may be coupled to a handle of the endoscope system, such as through a supply port, to provide liquid to the endoscope system. A condenser 738 may be utilized to continuously refill the reservoir 714 by extracting water from the surrounding atmosphere. In the illustrated embodiment, the wearable device 706 includes a backpack. In other embodiments, the wearable device 706 may include a hip belt, such as a front-worn or back-worn fanny pack. In one embodiment, the wearable device 706 may include a backpack combined with a hip belt. More generally, in some embodiments, the wearable device may include portable devices that are not necessarily worn by a user without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, one or more of a liquid source, a gas source, and a wireless transceiver may be carried by a user.

[0040] 7B, the supply tube 720 may include an upstream tube section 728, a pump tube section 730, and a downstream tube section 732. The upstream tube section 728 may provide communication between the reservoir 714 and the pump 716. The pump 716 may include a rotor 734 and a pump wall 726. As seen in FIG. 7C, the rotor 734 may have a triangular shape and include a number of rollers 736a, 736b, 736c. In operation, the rotor 734 may rotate causing the rollers 736a, 736b, 736c to compress portions of the pump tube section 730 against the pump wall 726 to push liquid from the reservoir 714 into the downstream tube section 732. In various embodiments, the speed at which the rotor 734 rotates may be based on the position of a control interface. As previously discussed, in many embodiments, the position of the control interface may be determined based on a sensor.

[0041] In various embodiments, the upstream tube section 728 may be removably coupled to the reservoir 714, such as via a cap. In the illustrated embodiment, the pump wall 726 includes an approximately 90 degree bend, allowing the upstream tube section 728 and the downstream tube section 732 to be oriented approximately 90 degrees relative to one another. In other embodiments, the pump wall 726 may include a second approximately 90 degree bend to form a "U" shape, allowing the upstream tube section 728 and the downstream tube section 732 to be oriented approximately 180 degrees relative to one another.

[0042] As will be appreciated, the lengths of the cleaning fluid, lens cleaning fluid, gas supply, and alternative gas supply tubes may have any suitable size (e.g., diameter). Additionally, the size (e.g., diameter) of the tubes may vary depending on the application. In one non-limiting embodiment, the cleaning fluid supply tube may have an inner diameter of about 6.5 mm and an outer diameter of about 9.7 mm. The lens cleaning fluid supply tube may have an inner diameter of about 5 mm and an outer diameter of about 8 mm. The gas supply tube may have an inner diameter of about 2 mm and an outer diameter of about 3.5 mm. The alternative gas supply tube may have an inner diameter of about 5 mm and an outer diameter of about 8 mm.

[0043] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed devices without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

[0044] All devices and methods discussed herein are examples of devices and / or methods implemented according to one or more principles of the present disclosure. These examples are merely examples, not the only ways to implement these principles. Thus, references to elements or structures or features in the drawings should be recognized as references to example embodiments of the present disclosure, and should not be understood as limiting the present disclosure to the particular elements, structures or features shown. Other examples of ways of implementing the disclosed principles will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure.

[0045] In the foregoing description and in the claims that follow, it will be understood that: The terms "at least one," "one or more," and "and / or," as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. The term "a" or "an" entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. Thus, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more," and "at least one" can be used interchangeably herein. All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, rear, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, counterclockwise, etc.) are used for identification purposes only to aid in the reader's understanding of this disclosure and / or serve to distinguish regions of associated elements from one another, and do not limit the associated elements, particularly with respect to the position, orientation, or use of this disclosure. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) should be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between the elements, unless otherwise indicated. Thus, connection references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected and in a fixed relationship to one another. Distinguishing references (e.g., primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) are not intended to imply importance or priority, but are used to distinguish one feature from another.

[0046] The foregoing discussion is presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to limit the disclosure to one or more forms disclosed herein. It will be understood that various additions, modifications, and substitutions may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the disclosure. In particular, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the principles of the disclosure may be embodied in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, and with other elements, materials, and components without departing from the concept, spirit, or scope or characteristics thereof. For example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. However, it should be understood that various features of a particular aspect, embodiment, or configuration of the disclosure may be combined in alternative aspects, embodiments, or configurations. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the disclosure may be used with many modifications of the structures, arrangements, proportions, materials, components, and the like used in the implementation of the disclosure that are specifically adapted to a particular environment and operating requirements without departing from the principles of the disclosure. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be comprised of multiple pieces or elements shown as multiple pieces may be integrally formed, the operation of the elements may be reversed or otherwise changed, the sizes or dimensions of the elements may be changed, and the features and components of the various embodiments may be selectively combined. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the claimed invention being indicated by the appended claims, and not limited by the foregoing description.

[0047] The following claims are incorporated by reference into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure. In the claims, the term "comprises" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Furthermore, although individually recited, a plurality of means, elements or method steps may be implemented by, for example, a single unit or processor. In addition, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may in some cases be advantageously combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that the combination of features is not feasible and / or advantageous. In addition, a reference to the singular does not exclude a plurality. The terms "a", "an", "first", "second", etc. do not exclude a plurality. Reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims in any way.

Claims

1. an elongate member including at least one lumen; a handle fixedly coupled to an elongate member, the handle including a control interface and a supply port, the control interface operable to control communication between the supply port and the at least one lumen, the handle including at least one electrical connection with the elongate member; a liquid supply including an adapter and a reservoir removably connected to the adapter, the adapter removably connecting to the handle via the supply port.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid supply includes a pump for driving fluid from the reservoir into the at least one lumen in response to operation of the control interface.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the pump comprises a peristaltic pump.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the liquid supply comprises a compressed gas container for causing fluid to flow from the reservoir into the at least one lumen in response to operation of the control interface.

5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the liquid source is located within a wearable device.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the wearable device comprises a backpack.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the wearable device includes a power source configured to operate the liquid supply.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the adapter comprises threads onto which the reservoir is screwed.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the supply port comprises threads onto which the adapter is screwed.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control interface comprises an air / water valve.

11. 11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor communicatively connected to the liquid source, the sensor configured to indicate a position of the control interface, the liquid source comprising a pump configured to flow fluid from the reservoir into the at least one lumen in response to the position of the control interface indicated by the sensor.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the liquid source comprises a condenser configured to extract liquid from the atmosphere and funnel the liquid into the reservoir.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a gas source configured to pressurise the reservoir in response to operation of the control interface.

14. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tower including a video processor, an umbilicus connecting the handle to the tower, the video processor connecting to the at least one electrical connection in the handle via the umbilicus.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the tower includes a gas source configured to pressurize the reservoir in response to operation of the control interface.

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