Tube flow control for endoscope systems.

Abstract

A medical device and a method for using the medical device are disclosed. An exemplary fluid reservoir and tubing set is disclosed that is arranged and configured to couple to an endoscope for use in an endoscopic procedure. The exemplary fluid reservoir and tubing set includes a fluid reservoir configured to contain a fluid, a fluid supply tube configured to be coupled to the endoscope, the fluid supply tube having a lumen therethrough in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and a first backflow prevention mechanism coupled to the fluid supply tube and configured to prevent backflow of fluid from the endoscope through the fluid supply tube to the fluid reservoir while allowing fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir through the fluid supply line to the endoscope.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to medical fluid reservoirs, tube assemblies, and related methods for fluid delivery, and more particularly to tubes and tube assemblies that include a backflow prevention mechanism designed to prevent backflow of fluid from an endoscope into a fluid reservoir. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 355,546, filed June 24, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional endoscopic devices are widely used to perform diagnostic and / or therapeutic procedures. Such endoscopic devices may be configured to provide fluid to the end of an endoscope for insufflation inside a patient or for cleaning the lens of the endoscope at a target site. For example, lens cleaning and irrigation solutions spray liquids, such as sterile water, at relatively high pressure to remove debris from a camera lens or target tissue. Water sources for lens cleaning and irrigation typically include one or more fluid reservoirs with tube and cap assemblies that connect with endoscope channels and valves to form tubing circuits to achieve the desired gas and water functions. Such tube and cap assemblies may be utilized in a variety of configurations, but typically include a water bottle, a cap that fits for the particular bottle, and a tube array that can extend through an opening in the cap. The tubes are typically arranged to accommodate a particular configuration of endoscope attachments and valves. The improvements of the present disclosure may be useful in light of these considerations. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure provides design, material, manufacturing methods, and use alternatives for a medical device. An exemplary fluid reservoir and tubing set is arranged and configured to couple to an endoscope for use in an endoscopic procedure. The fluid reservoir and tubing set includes a fluid reservoir configured to contain a fluid, a fluid supply tube configured to couple to the endoscope, the fluid supply tube having a lumen therethrough in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and a first backflow prevention mechanism coupled to the fluid supply tube, the first backflow prevention mechanism configured to prevent backflow of fluid from the endoscope through the fluid supply tube to the fluid reservoir while allowing fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir through the fluid supply line to the endoscope.

[0004] Alternatively or additionally to the above embodiments, the fluid supply tube is configured to allow fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir to a lens of the endoscope. Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the first backflow prevention mechanism includes a portion of the fluid supply tube, the portion of the fluid supply tube configured to transition between a radially closed configuration and a radially open configuration.

[0005] Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the portion of the fluid supply tube is configured to prevent fluid from flowing from the endoscope through the fluid supply tube to the fluid reservoir when in the closed configuration.

[0006] Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the system further comprises a gas supply tube having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to a gas pump and the second end located within the fluid reservoir, the gas supply tube configured to allow gas to flow into the fluid reservoir to pressurize the fluid within the fluid reservoir.

[0007] Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the portion of the fluid supply conduit is configured to transition from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to pressurized fluid flowing through the fluid supply conduit.

[0008] Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the portion of the fluid supply conduit has a generally elongated cross-sectional shape in the closed configuration. Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the portion of the fluid supply conduit has a generally circular cross-sectional shape in the closed configuration.

[0009] Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the first anti-reflux mechanism includes a resilient material portion. Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the first backflow prevention mechanism includes a clamp disposed adjacent to the fluid supply tube.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the clamp is configured to compress the fluid supply tube to prevent backflow from the endoscope through the fluid supply tube to the fluid reservoir.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the clamp is configured to open in response to pressurized fluid flowing through the fluid supply tube. Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the clamp is attached to the fluid reservoir.

[0012] Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the device further comprises an irrigation supply tube having a first end, a second end and a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen of the irrigation supply tube being in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the device may further include a second backflow prevention mechanism coupled to the irrigation supply tube, the second backflow prevention mechanism configured to prevent fluid from flowing back from the endoscope through the irrigation supply tube to the fluid reservoir while allowing fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir through the irrigation supply tube to the endoscope.

[0014] Another exemplary fluid reservoir and tubing set is arranged and configured to couple to an endoscope for use in an endoscopic procedure, the fluid reservoir and tubing set including a fluid reservoir configured to contain a fluid and a fluid supply tube configured to be coupled to the endoscope, the fluid supply tube having a lumen therethrough in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and a gas supply tube. Further, the gas supply tube includes a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to a gas pump, the second end of the gas supply tube being located within the fluid reservoir, the gas supply tube configured to allow gas to flow into the fluid reservoir to pressurize the fluid within the fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir and tubing set also includes a gas flow regulator coupled to the gas supply tube.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the gas flow regulator is configured to prevent backflow of gas into the gas pump to maintain a minimum gas pressure in the fluid reservoir.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the gas flow regulator includes a check valve. Another fluid reservoir and tubing set arranged and configured to couple to an endoscope for use in an endoscopic procedure includes a fluid reservoir configured to contain a fluid and a fluid supply tube configured to be coupled to the endoscope, the fluid supply tube having a lumen extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, the fluid supply tube including a undulating region.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally to any of the above embodiments, the fluid supply tube forms the undulating region by folding back on itself. The above summary of some embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure, the figures and detailed description more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

[0018] The present disclosure may be more fully understood from consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing components of an endoscope. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing components of the endoscope system. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A illustrates an endoscopic system in which the system is operated to deliver air to the atmosphere. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B illustrates the endoscopic system of FIG. 3A in which the system is operated to deliver air to a patient through the patient end of the endoscope. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C illustrates the endoscopic system of FIG. 3A with the system operated to deliver lens cleaning fluid through the patient end of the endoscope. [Figure 3D] FIG. 3D illustrates the endoscopic system of FIG. 3A with the system operated to deliver irrigation fluid through the patient end of the endoscope. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of an endoscopic system including a container and a number of tubes coupled to the container. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the tube of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is another cross-sectional view of the tube of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates the vessel and tubes of FIG. 4 with gas and fluid passing through one or more of the tubes. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the tube of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates a portion of another endoscopic system including a container and a number of tubes coupled to the container. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates the vessel and tubes of FIG. 8 with gas and fluid passing through one or more of the tubes. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates a portion of another endoscopic system including a container and a number of tubes coupled to the container, one of the number of tubes being a Tesla valve. [Figure 11A] FIG. 11A illustrates fluid flow through a Tesla valve in the tube of FIG. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B shows that backflow of fluid is prevented through the Tesla valve of the tube of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates a portion of another endoscopic system including a container and a number of tubes coupled to the container. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 illustrates the vessel and tubes of FIG. 12 with gas and fluid passing through one or more of the tubes. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 illustrates a portion of another endoscopic system including a container and a number of tubes coupled to the container, the endoscopic system including a siphon brake coupled to one of the number of tubes. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of another endoscopic system including a container and a number of tubes coupled to the container, the endoscopic system including an airflow regulator coupled to one of the number of tubes. [Figure 16] 16 illustrates the vessel and tubes of FIG. 15 with gas prevented from flowing back through the airflow regulator of FIG. 15. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 illustrates a portion of another endoscopic system including a container and multiple tubes coupled to the container, one of the multiple tubes being an S-trap. [Figure 18]FIG. 18 shows an endoscope and a tube connected to the endoscope, the tube being an S-trap. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to an exemplary medical system that may be used in an endoscopic medical procedure. However, reference to this 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 device and related methods of use may be utilized in any suitable procedure, medical, or other method. The present disclosure may be understood with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings. Similar elements in the present disclosure are referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0021] Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numbers are used to refer to the same or similar parts throughout the drawings. The term "distal" refers to the part that is furthest away from the user when the device is introduced into the patient. In contrast, the term "proximal" refers to the part that is closest to the user when the device is placed in the patient. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, and thus a process, method, article, or device that comprises a list of elements does not necessarily include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or that are not inherent to such process, method, article, or device. The term "exemplary" is used in the sense of "example" rather than "ideal." Additionally, the terms "about," "approximately," and "substantially" as used herein indicate 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.

[0022] It is noted that although the embodiments of the present disclosure are described with particular reference to bottles (e.g., containers, reservoirs, etc.) and tubing assemblies or sets, such embodiments may be used to supply fluids and / or gases to an endoscope for a variety of different purposes including, for example, facilitating insufflation to a patient, lens cleaning, and / or irrigating a working channel to assist in flushing / aspirating debris during an endoscopic procedure.

[0023] Although this disclosure includes a description of bottles and tubing sets suitable for use with an endoscopic system to supply fluids and / or gases to an endoscope, the devices, systems, and methods in this disclosure may be implemented in other medical systems requiring the delivery of fluids and / or gases and for a variety of other purposes.

[0024] References in this specification to "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," and the like, indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not all embodiments necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Also, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in relation to one embodiment, it may be within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in relation to other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described, unless expressly stated otherwise. That is, it is intended that the 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 embodiment, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0025] 1-2, an exemplary endoscope 100 and endoscope system 200 are shown that may include an elongated shaft 100a for insertion 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 within a video processing unit 210 that processes signals input from the imager and outputs the processed video signal to a video monitor (not shown) for viewing. The video processing unit 210 also serves as a component of an air / water supply circuit by housing within the unit a pressurizing pump 215, such as an air or gas supply pump.

[0026] 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 for insufflation inside the patient at the treatment area and water for cleaning the lenses covering the imaging device. Irrigation openings 225 on the end face 100d provide irrigation fluid to the treatment site on the patient. Also included on the end face 100d of the distal tip 100c may be 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. The working channel 235 extends along the shaft 100a to a proximal channel opening 110 located distal to the operating handle 115 of the endoscope 100. A biopsy valve 120 may be utilized to seal the channel opening 110 against unwanted fluid escape.

[0027] The operating handle 115 may include multiple knobs 125 (e.g., one knob controls up / down steering and another knob controls left / right steering) for providing remote four-way steering of the distal tip via wires connected to articulation joints in the flexible curved portion 105. A plurality of video switches 130 may be disposed on the proximal side of the handle 115 for remotely operating the video processing unit 210. The handle 115 also includes dual valve wells 135. One of the valve wells 135 may receive a gas / water valve 140 for actuating the supply of insufflation gas and lens water. A gas supply line 240a and a lens cleaning solution supply line 245a extend distally from the gas / water valve 140 along the shaft 100a and meet at the distal tip 100c proximal to the gas / cleaning nozzle 220 (FIG. 2). The other valve well 135 receives a suction valve 145 for actuating the suction operation. A suction supply line 250 a extends distally from the suction valve 145 along the shaft 100 a to a junction in fluid communication with the working channel 235 of the endoscope 100 .

[0028] The operating handle 115 is electrically and fluidly connected to the video processing unit 210 via a flexible umbilical 260 and a connector portion 265 that extends between the flexible umbilical 260 and the video processing unit 210. The flexible umbilical 260 is adapted to receive a gas (e.g., air or CO 2 umbilical 260. The umbilical 260 includes a gas feed line 240b, a lens wash feed line 245b, a suction feed line 250b, an irrigation feed line 255b, a light guide (not shown), and an electrical signal cable (not shown). A connector portion 265 plugs into the video processing unit 210 to connect a light source 205 in the video processing unit to the light guide. The light guide extends along the length of the umbilical 260 and the endoscope shaft 100a and transmits light to the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100. The connector portion 265 also plugs into the video processing unit 210 to connect an air pump 215 to a gas feed line 240b in the umbilical 260.

[0029] A fluid container or reservoir 270 (e.g., a water bottle) is fluidly connected to the endoscope 100 via the connector portion 265 and the umbilical 260. A length of gas supply tube 240c runs from one end located in a space 275 between the cap 280 (e.g., a bottle cap) of the reservoir 270 and the remaining water 285 in the reservoir 270 to a removable gas / lens cleaning connection 290 on the outside of the connector portion 265. The gas feed line 240b of the umbilical 260 branches in the connector portion 265 to be in fluid communication with the gas supply tube 240c at the removable gas / lens cleaning connection 290 and the air pump 215. A length of lens cleaning tube 245c, one end of which is located at the bottom of the reservoir 270, extends through the cap 280 of the reservoir 270 to the same removable connection 290 as the gas supply tube 240c at the connector portion 265. In other embodiments, the connections may be separate and / or separate from one another. Connector portion 265 also has a removable irrigation connection 293 for an irrigation supply tube (not shown) that extends from an irrigation water source (not shown) to irrigation feed line 255b in umbilical 260. In some embodiments, irrigation water is supplied via a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump) from a water source (not shown) that is separate from reservoir 270. In other embodiments, irrigation supply tube and lens wash tube 245c may supply water from the same reservoir. Connector portion 265 may also include a removable suction connection 295 for suction feed line 250b and suction supply line 250a that fluidly connect a vacuum source (e.g., a hospital aspirator) (not shown) to umbilical 260 and endoscope 100.

[0030] Gas feed line 240b and lens cleaning feed line 245b are fluidly connected to valve well 135 for gas / water valve 140 and are configured to control the supply of gas or lens cleaning fluid to distal tip 100c of endoscope 100 upon actuation of the gas / water valve therein. Suction feed line 250b is fluidly connected to valve well 135 for suction valve 145 and are configured to control the suction applied to working channel 235 of endoscope 100 upon actuation of the suction valve therein.

[0031] 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 video processing unit 210 flows to a connector portion 265, is diverted through a gas feed line 240b in the umbilical 260 to a gas / water valve 140 on the operating handle 115, and flows through a gas supply tube 240c to a water reservoir 270 via a connection 290 on the connector portion 265. When the gas / water valve 140 is in a neutral position, with the user's finger not over the valve, air is allowed to flow out of the valve to atmosphere. In a first position, the user's finger is used to block the vent to atmosphere. Gas is allowed to 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, for insufflation to a treatment site on a patient. When the gas / water valve 140 is pushed downward to a second position, gas is prevented from flowing out of the valve, thereby allowing the pressure of air passing from the air pump 215 to build up in the water reservoir 270. Pressurizing the water source forces water out of the lens cleaning tube 245c, through the connector portion 265, the umbilical 260, through the gas / water valve 140, down the lens cleaning solution supply line 245a, and converges with the gas supply line 240a before exiting the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100 via the gas / lens cleaning nozzle 220. The air pump pressure may be calibrated to provide lens cleaning water at a relatively low flow rate compared to the irrigation water supply.

[0032] The flow rate of the lens cleaning solution is regulated 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 line 245c, the air pump 215 replenishes the lost air supply in the reservoir 270 to maintain a substantially constant pressure, thereby providing a substantially constant lens cleaning flow rate. In some embodiments, a filter (not shown) may be placed in the path of the gas supply line 240c to filter out undesirable contaminants or particulate matter from entering the water reservoir 270. As described in more detail below, an outflow check valve, one-way valve, or backflow prevention mechanism may be placed in the path of the lens cleaning solution supply line (or other line of the system 200, 300) to help prevent water from flowing back into the reservoir 270 after passing through the valve.

[0033] A relatively high flow rate of irrigation water is typically required compared to lens cleaning, as the primary use is to remove debris from the patient treatment site that would obscure the user's vision. Irrigation is typically accomplished by use of a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump) as described. In an embodiment with a separate water source for irrigation, a tube located at the bottom of the water source is routed through the cap of the water source and through the upstream head of the pump. The downstream tube of the pump is connected via irrigation connection 293 on connector portion 265 to irrigation feed line 255b in umbilical 260 and irrigation supply line 255a of endoscope 100. When irrigation water is needed, irrigation pump is activated, such as by pressing a foot switch (not shown), causing fluid to be pumped from the water source, through irrigation connection 293, through irrigation feed line 255b in the umbilical, down the irrigation 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 cap 280 of the water reservoir 270 to equalize pressure in the water source as water is pumped out of the irrigation supply tube. This vent allows air to enter the water source to prevent a negative pressure buildup in the water source that may create a vacuum that draws unwanted material from the patient through the endoscope and into the water source. In some embodiments, an outflow check valve, one-way valve, or backflow prevention mechanism, similar to the lens wash tube 245c, may be placed in the path of the irrigation supply tube to help prevent water from flowing back into the reservoir after passing through the valve.

[0034] 3A-3D are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of an embodiment of a hybrid system 300 in which supply tubes for irrigation and lens cleaning are connected to and led out of a single water reservoir. The hybrid system 300 includes a single water reservoir 305, a cap 310 for the reservoir, a gas supply tube 240c, a lens cleaning solution supply tube 245c, an irrigation pump 315 with a foot switch 318, an upstream irrigation tube 320, and a downstream irrigation supply tube 255c. The cap 310 may be configured to sealingly attach to the water reservoir 305, typically by a threaded structure. The cap 310 may include a gasket for sealing the cap 310 to the reservoir 305. The gasket may be an O-ring, a flange, a collar, and / or the like, and may be formed from any suitable material. Several through openings (325a, 325b, 325c) in the cap 310 are provided to respectively receive the gas supply tube 240c, the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 245c, and the upstream irrigation supply tube 320. In Figures 3A-3D, the system shown includes separate tubes for the gas supply, lens cleaning, and irrigation.

[0035] During operation of the system of Figures 3A-3D, water flow for irrigation may be achieved by operating the irrigation pump 315. Water flow for lens cleaning may be achieved by depressing the gas / water valve 140 on the operating handle 115 of the endoscope 100. These functions may be performed independently of one another or simultaneously. When operating lens cleaning and irrigation simultaneously, as fluid is drawn from the water reservoir 270, 305, the pressure in the system may be controlled to maintain the lens cleaning fluid supply line 245c at the pressure required to achieve substantially low-flow lens cleaning while compensating for the reduced pressure in the water reservoir 270, 305 due to performing high-flow irrigation. If pressure in the water reservoir is reduced by using the lens cleaning function, the irrigation function, or both functions simultaneously, the reduced pressure may be compensated for by the air pump 215 via the gas supply line 240c.

[0036] The schematic arrangement of Figures 3A-3D has been highlighted to show the different flow paths possible with hybrid system 300 having supply tube 320 for irrigation and supply tube 240c for lens cleaning connected to and drawing from a single water reservoir 305. As shown in Figure 3A, endoscope 100 is in a neutral state with gas / water valve 140 in an open position. The neutral state delivers no gas or lens cleaning solution to the distal tip of the endoscope. Rather, gas (pressure) is delivered along path A from air pump 215 which pressurizes, through gas feed line 240b in umbilical 260 via connector portion 265, and vented to atmosphere through the gas / water valve. Because the system is open at the vent hole in gas / water valve 140, there is no buildup pressurizing water reservoir 305, and thus no water is forced through lens cleaning solution supply tube 245c.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3B, the endoscope 100 is in a gas delivery state with the gas / water valve 140 in a first position. When gas is needed at the distal tip 100c, for example to clean the end face 100d of the distal tip or to insufflate the patient's body in the treatment area, the user closes the vent in the gas / water valve 140 with a thumb, finger, or the like (first position). In this state, gas (pressure) is delivered from the air pump 215 along path B, and gas flows through the gas feed line 240b in the umbilical 260 via the connector portion 265. The gas travels through the gas / water valve 140, through the gas supply line 240a in the endoscope shaft 100a, and out the gas / lens cleaning nozzle 220 at the distal tip 100c. Because the system is open at the gas / lens water nozzle 220, there is no buildup to pressurize the water reservoir, and as a result, water is not forced through the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 245c.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3C, the endoscope 100 is in a lens cleaning solution delivery state with the gas / water valve 140 in a second position. When lens cleaning is required at the distal tip 100c, for example to clean the end face 100d of the distal tip 100c, the user holds the vent hole of the air / water valve closed and pushes the valve 140 down to the deepest point in the valve well 135. The second position blocks gas supply to both the atmosphere as well as the endoscope gas supply line 240a, and opens the gas / water valve 140 to allow lens cleaning water to flow out of the gas / lens cleaning nozzle 220 of the distal tip 100c through the lens cleaning solution supply line 245a in the endoscope shaft 100a. In this state, gas (pressure) is delivered from the air pump 215 along path C through the branch line in the connector portion 265 to the gas supply tube 240c to the water reservoir 305. The gas (pressure) pressurizes the surface of the remaining water 285 in the reservoir 305, forcing the water up the lens cleaning solution supply tube 245c and up the connector portion 265. The pressurized lens cleaning water is forced further through the lens cleaning solution supply line 245b in the umbilical 260 and through the gas / water valve 140. Because the system 300 is closed, the gas pressure is not vented to atmosphere or delivered to the patient, but rather allowed to build and maintain a calibrated pressure level in the water reservoir 305. This pressure, along with the feed and supply lines of the endoscope and the external tubing, translates the lens cleaning solution into a range of flow rates.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3D, the endoscope 100 is in an irrigation delivery state. This may occur at the same time or at a different time than the delivery of gases and / or lens cleaning. For example, if the treatment area has poor visibility or is obstructed by debris, etc. and irrigation is required at the distal tip 100c, the user delivers water along path D by activating the irrigation pump 315 (e.g., by pressing the foot switch 318). When the pump 315 is activated, water is pumped from the water reservoir 305 through the upstream irrigation supply tube 320 and pumped along the downstream irrigation supply tube 255c to the connector portion 265. The irrigation pump head pressure further pushes the irrigation water through the irrigation feed line 255b in the umbilical 260, through the irrigation supply line 255a in the endoscope shaft 100a, and out the irrigation opening 225 at the distal tip 100c. The irrigation pump pressure can be calibrated along with the irrigation and supply lines and external tubing of the endoscope to deliver a range of flow rates of irrigation fluid.

[0040] In some embodiments, various backflow prevention mechanisms may be incorporated into the embodiments disclosed herein, including the tubing of systems 200, 300. For example, different backflow prevention mechanisms (e.g., clamping mechanisms, valves, compressible tubing, traps, etc.) may be incorporated into lens cleaning solution supply tube 245c, upstream irrigation supply tube 320, and / or downstream irrigation supply tube 255c to help prevent backflow of water from either or both of the lens cleaning and irrigation tubes during negative pressure conditions.

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary fluid reservoir 405 (e.g., a water reservoir). The fluid reservoir 405 may be similar in form and function to the water reservoirs 270, 305 of the endoscopic systems 200, 300 described herein. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates that the water reservoir 405 may include an internal chamber designed to hold various volumes of water 485. FIG. 4 also illustrates that a cap 480 may be securely secured to the water reservoir 405. By securing the cap 480 to the water reservoir 405, an air gap 475 may be provided between the cap 480 of the reservoir 405 and the water 485 in the reservoir 405.

[0042] FIG. 4 further illustrates a length of gas supply tube 440 having one end located within cavity 475 and passing through an opening in cap 480 of reservoir 405. It can be seen from FIG. 4 that this gas supply tube 440 may be similar in form and function to gas supply tube 240c described herein. FIG. 4 also illustrates a length of lens wash tube 445 having one end located within water 485 of reservoir 405 and passing through an opening in cap 480 of reservoir 405. It can be seen from FIG. 4 that this lens wash tube 445 may be similar in form and function to lens wash tube 245c described herein. FIG. 4 further illustrates a length of irrigation tube 455 having one end located within water 485 of reservoir 405 and passing through an opening in cap 480 of reservoir 405. It can be seen from FIG. 4 that this irrigation tube 455 may be similar in form and function to irrigation tube 320 described herein. Although FIG. 4 shows that the irrigation supply tube 455 and the lens wash tube 445 may supply water from the same reservoir 405, in some embodiments, the irrigation water may be supplied via a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump) from a water source (not shown) that is independent of the water reservoir 405.

[0043] The utilization of insufflation, irrigation, and lens cleaning to provide a clear view of the working lumen 235 and the target tissue may create a vacuum in one or more of the working channel 235, the gas supply line 440, the lens cleaning fluid supply line 445, and / or the irrigation supply line 455. Creating a vacuum in one or more of the working channel 235, the gas supply line 440, the lens cleaning fluid supply line 445, and / or the irrigation supply line 455 can potentially create a negative pressure that draws fluid from the patient's body lumen back through the endoscope and into one or more of the working channel 235, the gas supply line 440, the lens cleaning fluid supply line 445, and the fluid reservoir 405, potentially contaminating purified water located within the lumens and fluid reservoir 405 of the endoscope 100.

[0044] Thus, in some embodiments, the working channel 235, the gas supply tube 440, the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 445, and the irrigation supply tube 455 may include features designed to prevent backflow of fluid from outside the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100 into the fluid reservoir 405 through the working channel 235, the gas supply tube 440, the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 445, or the irrigation supply tube 455. For example, the detailed view of FIG. 4 shows that in some embodiments, a portion of the lens cleaning tube 445 may include a feature designed to prevent backflow of fluid from outside the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100 into the fluid reservoir 405 through the working channel 235, the gas supply tube 440, the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 445, and / or the irrigation supply tube 455. Including a feature designed to prevent backflow of fluids may be beneficial as it may reduce the possibility of cross-contamination of fluids between patients.

[0045] 4 shows that in some embodiments, the lens wash tube 445 can include a tube region 460 that is laterally or radially closed (e.g., radially collapsed) in its natural state. In this configuration, the inner surfaces of the lens wash tube 445 along the tube region 460 are closed radially inward such that the surfaces contact each other, thereby forming a fluid-tight seal designed to prevent fluid located upstream from the radially closed region 460 from flowing back into the fluid reservoir 405. The detailed view of FIG. 4 shows that the radially closed tube region 460 can extend along the length of the lens wash tube 445.

[0046] In some examples, the collapsed tube region 460 can be designed to include cross-sections having different shapes. For example, FIGS. 5A and 5B show two embodiments of the cross-sectional shape of the region 460 along line 5-5 of FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5A, in some examples, the cross-sectional shape of the closed tube region 460 (in its collapsed state) can be generally elongated or oval. FIG. 5B shows that in other examples, the cross-sectional shape of the collapsed region 460 along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 can be generally circular. Both FIGS. 5A and 5B show that the inner surface of the lens wash tube 445 can close (e.g., radially collapse) on its surface to provide a fluid-tight seal designed to prevent fluid from flowing back from a location upstream of the tube region 460 to a location downstream of the tube region 460 (e.g., into the water reservoir 405).

[0047] Additionally, in some embodiments, the collapsed region 460 of the lens cleaning tube 445 may include cross-sectional shapes other than generally oval and other than generally circular. For example, the collapsed region 460 of the lens cleaning tube 445 may include cross-sectional shapes such as a generally ellipse, a triangle, a square, a half-moon, a polygon, a rectangle, a star, etc.

[0048] In some embodiments, the lumen region 460 can be designed to expand radially to allow fluid 485 to flow from the water reservoir 405 upstream of the operating handle 115 and ultimately through the elongate sheath 100a of the endoscope 100. As described herein, the lumen region 460 of the lens wash tube 445 can be designed to be radially closed in its natural state (or first position) such that the lumen region 460 is not radially expanded by the water column present in the lens wash line upstream of the lumen region 460 (thereby preventing fluid from flowing back into the water reservoir 460 through the closed region 460).

[0049] However, in some embodiments, the radially collapsed tube region 460 may be designed to radially expand by forcing water 485 upstream through the lens cleaning tube 445. For example, FIG. 6 shows the water 485 being pressurized by the introduction of gas into the water reservoir 405 via the gas supply tube 440. Referring again to the system configuration described with respect to FIG. 3C, when the endoscope system 300 is in the lens cleaning delivery configuration, gas (pressure) may be delivered from the air pump 215 and out of the gas supply tube 440 to the water reservoir 405. In FIG. 6, the gas entering the reservoir is indicated by arrow 464. The gas (pressure) pressurizes the surface of the water 485 in the reservoir 405, forcing the water up the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 445. The pressurized lens cleaning water is forced through the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 445 into the endoscope 100. FIG. 6 shows that when the gas pressure delivered by the air pump meets a given threshold, the fluid flowing through the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 445 generates sufficient pressure to expand tube region 460 radially outward (as shown in the detailed view of FIG. 6 ) (water 485 flowing upstream through lens cleaning tube 445 is indicated by arrows 462), thereby allowing water 485 to flow upstream across tube region 460 to endoscope 100.

[0050] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of lens cleaning tube 445 taken along line 7-7 in Figure 6. Comparing the cross-sectional view of lens cleaning tube 445 shown in Figure 7 (in a radially expanded state) to the cross-sectional view of lens cleaning tube shown in Figures 5A and 5B (in a radially collapsed state), it can be seen that in the radially expanded state, the inner walls of lens cleaning tube 460 along tube region 445 in Figure 7 have expanded apart (e.g., tube 445 has been forced open by sufficient fluid flow), thereby allowing water 485 to flow upstream through open lumen 466 of lens cleaning tube 445.

[0051] However, as described herein, the flow of water for lens cleaning may be stopped by the user by releasing the gas / water valve 140 from a depressed position on the operating handle 115 of the endoscope 100. When the gas / water valve 140 is released and gas stops flowing into the water reservoir 405, the fluid pressure expanding the collapsed tube region 460 of the lens cleaning tube 445 may decrease, causing the tube region 460 to collapse and the inner surface of the tube 445 to seal itself, preventing fluid upstream of the tube region 460 from flowing back into the water reservoir 405.

[0052] The material utilized to construct the portion of lens wash tube 445 that defines radially collapsible tube region 460 may be selected based on its radial elasticity and the corresponding force required to radially expand the tube from a collapsed state to an expanded state. The material utilized to construct the portion of lens wash tube 445 may be elastic. For example, the material selected to construct radially collapsible tube region 460 may be selected based on its ability to effectively prevent backflow of fluid when the fluid located upstream of tube region 460 is in a static state, but the material of tube region 460 must be radially expandable when gas (pressure) delivered from air pump 215 creates a given upstream fluid flow through lens wash tube 445 creating a corresponding radially outward force.

[0053] 8 and 9 show another anti-backflow mechanism that may be incorporated into the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 245c, the upstream irrigation supply tube 320, and / or the downstream irrigation supply tube 255c to help prevent backflow of water from either or both of the lens cleaning and irrigation tubes during negative pressure conditions.

[0054] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary water reservoir (e.g., container) 505. The water reservoir 505 may be similar in form and function to the water reservoirs 270, 305 of the systems 200, 300 described herein. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates that the water reservoir 505 may include an internal chamber designed to hold various volumes of water 585. FIG. 8 also illustrates that a cap 580 (e.g., a bottle cap) may be securely secured to the water reservoir 505. Securing the cap 580 to the water reservoir 505 may provide an air gap 575 between the cap 580 of the reservoir 505 and the water 585 within the reservoir 505.

[0055] FIG. 8 further illustrates a length of gas supply tube 540 having one end located within cavity 575 and passing through an opening in cap 580 of reservoir 505. It can be seen from FIG. 8 that gas supply tube 540 may be similar in form and function to gas supply tube 240c described herein. FIG. 8 also illustrates a length of lens wash tube 545 having one end located within water 585 of reservoir 505 and passing through an opening in cap 580 of reservoir 505. It can be seen from FIG. 8 that lens wash tube 545 may be similar in form and function to lens wash tube 245c described herein. FIG. 8 further illustrates a length of irrigation tube 555 having one end located within water 585 of reservoir 505 and passing through an opening in cap 580 of reservoir 505. It can be seen from FIG. 8 that irrigation tube 555 may be similar in form and function to irrigation tube 320 described herein. Although FIG. 8 shows that the irrigation supply tube 555 and the lens wash tube 545 may supply water from the same reservoir 505, in some embodiments, the irrigation water may be supplied via a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump) from a water source (not shown) that is independent of the water reservoir 505.

[0056] 8 further illustrates that endoscope system 200, 300 may include a clamping mechanism 570 secured to cap 580. Clamping mechanism 570 may include a bracket 572 extending vertically from cap 580 and a lateral beam portion 578 extending laterally from the vertical portion and wrapping around an outer surface of lens wash tube 545. Clamping mechanism 570 may also include a pad 576 attached to a distal end of spring 574. FIG. 8 further illustrates that a proximal end of spring 574 may be attached to the vertically extending portion of bracket 572.

[0057] FIG. 8 further illustrates that the lens wash tube 545 is disposed between the pad 576 and the side beam portion 578 of the bracket 572. FIG. 8 also illustrates that lens wash is not activated and therefore no pressure is being applied from the gas supply tube 540 into the water reservoir 505 to force the water 585 upstream through the lens wash tube 545. Thus, FIG. 8 illustrates that the spring 547 has sufficient force to expand and compress (e.g., squeeze, push, or the like) the lens wash tube 545 between the pad 576 and the side beam portion 578 of the bracket 572 such that the inner surfaces of the lumens of the lens wash tube 545 come into contact with each other, thereby closing off the inner lumen of the lens wash tube 545 and preventing stationary fluid present in the lens wash tube 545 from flowing back into the reservoir 505.

[0058] FIG. 9 illustrates that the lens cleaning tube 545 may be designed to expand radially by forcing water 585 upstream through the lens cleaning tube 545. For example, FIG. 9 illustrates that the water 585 is pressurized by the introduction of gas into the water reservoir 505 via the gas supply tube 540. Referring again to the system configuration described with respect to FIG. 3C, when the endoscope system 300 is in the lens cleaning delivery configuration, gas (pressure) may be delivered from the air pump 215 and from the gas supply tube 540 to the water reservoir 505. In FIG. 9, the gas entering the reservoir 505 is indicated by arrow 564. The gas (pressure) pressurizes the surface of the water 585 in the reservoir 505, forcing the water up the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 545. The pressurized lens cleaning water 585 is forced through the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 545 to the endoscope 100. FIG. 9 shows that when the gas pressure delivered by the air pump meets a given threshold, the fluid flowing through the lens cleaning solution supply tube 545 generates sufficient pressure to expand the tube area 545 radially outward (as shown in FIG. 9) against the force of the spring 574 (water 585 flowing upstream through the lens cleaning tube 545 is indicated by arrows 562), thereby allowing the water 585 to flow upstream past the clamping mechanism 570 to the endoscope 100.

[0059] 10-11B show another anti-backflow mechanism that may be incorporated into the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 245c, the upstream irrigation supply tube 320, and / or the downstream irrigation supply tube 255c to help prevent backflow of water from either or both of the lens cleaning tubes and irrigation tubes during negative pressure conditions.

[0060] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary water reservoir (e.g., container) 605. The water reservoir 605 may be similar in form and function to the water reservoirs 270, 305 of the systems 200, 300 described herein. For example, FIG. 10 illustrates that the water reservoir 605 may include an internal chamber designed to hold various volumes of water 685. FIG. 10 also illustrates that a cap 680 (e.g., a bottle cap) may be securely secured to the water reservoir 605. Securing the cap 680 to the water reservoir 605 may provide an air gap 675 between the cap of the reservoir 605 and the water 685 within the reservoir 605.

[0061] FIG. 10 further illustrates a length of gas supply tube 640 having one end located within cavity 675 and passing through an opening in cap 680 of reservoir 605. It can be seen from FIG. 10 that gas supply tube 640 may be similar in form and function to gas supply tube 240c described herein. FIG. 10 also illustrates a length of lens wash tube 645 having one end located within water 685 of reservoir 605 and passing through an opening in cap 680 of reservoir 605. It can be seen from FIG. 10 that lens wash tube 645 may be similar in form and function to lens wash tube 245c described herein. FIG. 10 further illustrates a length of irrigation tube 655 having one end located within water 685 of reservoir 605 and passing through an opening in cap 680 of reservoir 605. It can be seen from FIG. 10 that irrigation tube 655 may be similar in form and function to irrigation tube 320 described herein. Although FIG. 10 shows that the irrigation supply tube 655 and the lens wash tube 645 may supply water from the same reservoir 605, in some embodiments, the irrigation water may be supplied via a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump) from a water source (not shown) that is independent of the water reservoir 605.

[0062] The detailed view of FIG. 10 further illustrates that a portion of the lens wash conduit 645 of the endoscope system 200, 300 may include a Tesla valve 670. Generally, a Tesla valve may be described as a passive check valve of fixed geometry having a shape that allows fluid to preferentially flow only in one direction. In other words, the Tesla valve 670 shown in the detailed view of FIG. 10 may include an enlargement, recess, protrusion, baffle, or bucket formed within the lumen of the lens wash conduit 445 that allows water 685 to pass relatively unimpeded upstream from the reservoir 605 toward the endoscope 100 while resisting backflow of fluid in the opposite direction (e.g., preventing backflow of fluid from the endoscope toward the reservoir 605).

[0063] Figure 11A illustrates the unimpeded passage of water 685 through the Tesla valve 670 described with respect to Figure 10. As shown by arrow 672 in Figure 11A, water 685 from the reservoir 605 is able to flow upstream through the Tesla valve 670 with substantially no resistance. However, Figure 11B illustrates that fluid attempting to flow in a downstream direction is repeatedly blocked by fluid flowing through multiple interfering flow paths 676 (fluid attempting to flow downstream is illustrated by arrow 674).

[0064] 12-13 show another anti-backflow mechanism that may be incorporated into the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 245c, the upstream irrigation supply tube 320, and / or the downstream irrigation supply tube 255c to help prevent backflow of water from either or both of the lens cleaning and irrigation tubes during negative pressure conditions.

[0065] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary water reservoir (e.g., container) 705. The water reservoir 705 may be similar in form and function to the water reservoirs 270, 305 of the systems 200, 300 described herein. For example, FIG. 12 illustrates that the water reservoir 705 may include an internal chamber designed to hold various volumes of water 785. FIG. 12 also illustrates that a cap 780 (e.g., a bottle cap) may be securely secured to the water reservoir 705. Securing the cap 780 to the water reservoir 705 may provide an air gap 775 between the cap 780 of the reservoir 705 and the water 785 within the reservoir 705.

[0066] FIG. 12 further illustrates a length of gas supply tube 740 having one end located within cavity 775 and passing through an opening in cap 780 of reservoir 705. It can be seen from FIG. 12 that gas supply tube 740 may be similar in form and function to gas supply tube 240c described herein. FIG. 12 also illustrates a length of lens wash tube 745 having one end located within water 785 of reservoir 705 and passing through an opening in cap 780 of reservoir 705. It can be seen from FIG. 12 that lens wash tube 745 may be similar in form and function to lens wash tube 245c described herein. FIG. 12 further illustrates a length of irrigation tube 755 having one end located within water 785 of reservoir 705 and passing through an opening in cap 780 of reservoir 705. It can be seen from FIG. 12 that irrigation tube 755 may be similar in form and function to irrigation tube 320 described herein. Although FIG. 12 shows that the irrigation supply tube 755 and the lens wash tube 745 may supply water from the same reservoir 705, in some embodiments, the irrigation water may be supplied via a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump) from a water source (not shown) that is independent of the water reservoir 705.

[0067] The detailed view of FIG. 12 further illustrates that the endoscope system 200, 300 may include a ball check valve 770 disposed within the inner lumen of the lens washing tube 745. As shown in FIG. 12, the ball check valve 770 may include a ball 776 designed to seat (e.g., nest) within a shoulder 773 formed within the inner lumen of the lens washing tube 745. The detailed view of FIG. 12 illustrates that the inner lumen of the lens washing tube 745 includes a proximal inner lumen 772 (a proximal portion of the inner lumen of the lens washing tube 745 that is proximal or downstream of the ball 776) and a distal inner lumen 774 (a distal portion of the inner lumen of the lens washing tube 745 that is distal or upstream of the ball 776). The diameter D1 of the proximal inner lumen 772 may be smaller than the diameter D2 of the distal inner lumen 774. A shoulder 773 is formed where the inner lumen of the lens irrigation tube 745 transitions from the proximal inner lumen 772 to the distal inner lumen 774 .

[0068] 12 shows the ball check valve in a position where the ball 776 is nested along the shoulder 773 of the lens wash tube 745. In this position, the ball 776 prevents fluid from flowing back from the endoscope 100 into the reservoir 705. In some embodiments, the ball 776 can be formed from a semi-compliant material that enhances the ability of the ball 776 to fit tightly along the shoulder 773, thereby sealing the ball 776 along the shoulder 773 to prevent fluid from flowing from the distal inner lumen 774 into the proximal inner lumen 772. In other embodiments, the ball 776 can be formed from a rigid material, such as a metal (e.g., steel).

[0069] FIG. 13 shows that the water 785 is pressurized by the introduction of gas into the water reservoir 705 via the gas supply tube 740. Referring again to the system configuration described with respect to FIG. 3C, when the endoscope system 300 is in the lens cleaning delivery configuration, gas (pressure) may be delivered from the air pump 215 and out of the gas supply tube 740 to the water reservoir 705. In FIG. 12, gas entering the reservoir 705 is indicated by arrow 764. The gas (pressure) pressurizes the surface of the water 785 in the reservoir 705, forcing the water up the lens cleaning solution supply tube 745. In FIG. 12, water 585 flowing upstream through the lens cleaning tube 745 is indicated by arrow 762. The pressurized lens cleaning water 785 is forced upstream through the lens cleaning solution supply tube 745 toward the endoscope 100. FIG. 12 further illustrates that water 785 flowing upstream through lens wash tube 745 may dislodge ball 776 from shoulder 773 of lens wash tube 745, thereby allowing water 785 to flow around ball 776 (e.g., from proximal inner lumen 772 into distal inner lumen 774) and upstream toward endoscope 100.

[0070] A check valve may refer to any type of configuration through which fluid passively flows in only one direction. For example, a check valve may include or refer to one or more of a ball check valve, a diaphragm check valve, a swing check valve, a tilting disk check valve, a flapper valve, a stop check valve, a lift check valve, an in-line check valve, a duckbill valve, a pneumatic check valve, a reed valve, or a backflow preventer, among others.

[0071] FIG. 14 illustrates another anti-backflow mechanism that may be incorporated into the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 245c, the upstream irrigation supply tube 320, and / or the downstream irrigation supply tube 255c to help prevent backflow of water from either or both of the lens cleaning and irrigation tubes during negative pressure conditions.

[0072] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary water reservoir (e.g., container) 805. The water reservoir 805 may be similar in form and function to the water reservoirs 270, 305 of the systems 200, 300 described herein. For example, FIG. 14 illustrates that the water reservoir 805 may include an internal chamber designed to hold various volumes of water 885. FIG. 14 also illustrates that a cap 880 (e.g., a bottle cap) may be securely secured to the water reservoir 805. Securing the cap 880 to the water reservoir 805 may provide an air gap 875 between the cap 880 of the reservoir 805 and the water 885 within the reservoir 805.

[0073] FIG. 14 further illustrates a length of gas supply tube 840 having one end located within cavity 875 and passing through an opening in cap 880 of reservoir 805. It can be seen from FIG. 8 that gas supply tube 840 may be similar in form and function to gas supply tube 240c described herein. FIG. 14 also illustrates a length of downstream lens wash tube 845a having one end located within water 885 of reservoir 805 and passing through an opening in cap 880 of reservoir 805. It can be seen from FIG. 14 that downstream lens wash tube 845a may be similar in form and function to lens wash tube 245c described herein. FIG. 14 further illustrates a length of irrigation tube 855 having one end located within water 885 of reservoir 805 and passing through an opening in cap 880 of reservoir 805. It can be seen from FIG. 14 that this irrigation tube 855 may be similar in form and function to irrigation tube 320 described herein. Although FIG. 14 shows that the irrigation supply tube 855 and the lens wash tube 845 may supply water from the same reservoir 805, in some embodiments, the irrigation water may be supplied via a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump) from a water source (not shown) that is independent of the water reservoir 805.

[0074] 14 further illustrates that endoscope system 200, 300 may include a siphon break 870. Siphon break 870 may include a first inlet coupled to downstream lens wash tube 845a and an outlet coupled to a first end of upstream lens wash tube 845b. Also, a second end of upstream lens wash tube 845b (opposite the first end) may be coupled to an inlet of endoscope 100. In other words, siphon break 870 may be positioned in fluid communication with both downstream lens wash tube 845a and upstream lens wash tube 845b such that fluid drawn from water reservoir 805 passes through downstream lens wash tube 845a, through a portion of siphon break 870, and then into upstream lens wash tube 845b toward endoscope 100.

[0075] FIG. 14 further illustrates that the siphon break 870 may include an inlet coupled to an air pump 815. The air pump 815 may be designed to provide an air flow (indicated by arrow 868 in FIG. 14) that travels from the pump 815 into the siphon break 870 such that the air flow provides a Venturi effect to effectively pull water 885 up the downstream lens wash tube 845a. The direction of the water 885 being pulled from the water reservoir 805 is indicated by arrow 862 in FIG. 14. However, it may be understood that the siphon break may also close in response to a flow of fluid from the fluid reservoir 805.

[0076] 15-16 show another backflow prevention mechanism that may be incorporated into the gas supply tube 240c, the lens cleaning solution supply tube 245c, the upstream irrigation supply tube 320, and / or the downstream irrigation supply tube 255c to help prevent backflow of water from either or both of the lens cleaning tubes and irrigation tubes during negative pressure conditions.

[0077] FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary water reservoir (e.g., container) 905. The water reservoir 905 may be similar in form and function to the water reservoirs 270, 305 of the systems 200, 300 described herein. For example, FIG. 15 illustrates that the water reservoir 905 may include an internal chamber designed to hold various volumes of water 985. FIG. 15 also illustrates that a cap 980 (e.g., a bottle cap) may be securely secured to the water reservoir 905. Securing the cap 980 to the water reservoir 905 may provide an air gap 975 between the cap 980 of the reservoir 905 and the water 985 within the reservoir 905.

[0078] FIG. 15 further illustrates a length of lens wash tube 945 having one end located within the water 985 of the reservoir 905 and passing through an opening in the cap 980 of the reservoir 905. It can be seen from FIG. 15 that the lens wash tube 945 may be similar in form and function to the lens wash tube 245c described herein. FIG. 15 further illustrates a length of irrigation tube 955 having one end located within the water 985 of the reservoir 905 and passing through an opening in the cap 980 of the reservoir 905. It can be seen from FIG. 15 that the irrigation tube 955 may be similar in form and function to the irrigation tube 320 described herein. Although FIG. 15 illustrates that the irrigation supply tube 955 and the lens wash tube 945 may supply water from the same reservoir 905, in some embodiments the irrigation water may be supplied via a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump) from a source (not shown) independent of the water reservoir 905.

[0079] Figure 15 further shows a length of gas supply tube 940 that passes from one end located within cavity 975 through an opening in cap 980 of reservoir 905. It can be seen from Figure 15 that gas supply tube 940 can be similar in form and function to gas supply tube 240c described herein.

[0080] 15 further illustrates that the endoscope system 200, 300 may further include a gas flow and pressure regulator 950 (e.g., inlet check valve, inlet control valve, etc.) that may be disposed in the path of the gas supply tube 940 to maintain a small positive pressure in the water reservoir 905. In other words, the pressure created in the water reservoir 905 may create a pressure difference between the water 985 and the gas supply tube 905, which helps to maintain a positive pressure in the water reservoir 905 even when a large amount of water is drawn from the water reservoir 905 when the user is utilizing the irrigation function. This configuration compensates for any time lag that may create a negative pressure vacuum in the water reservoir 905 when air is delivered from the air pump 215 to the water reservoir 905.

[0081] FIG. 15 illustrates that the flow regulator 950 may include a valve pad 954 attached to a first end of a spring 952. FIG. 15 further illustrates that a second end of the spring 952 may be fixedly attached to an inner wall surface of the flow regulator 950. Thus, the spring 952 may be allowed to expand and contract within the internal chamber of the flow regulator 950. FIG. 15 also illustrates that the flow regulator 950 may further include a shoulder 956 that may provide a surface against which the valve pad 954 may contact when the spring 952 is contracted. In other words, the shoulder 956 may act as a positive stop for the valve pad 954 when the spring 952 is contracted within the internal chamber of the pressure regulator 950.

[0082] Referring again to the system configuration described with respect to FIG. 3C, when the endoscope system 300 is in the lens cleaning delivery configuration, gas (pressure) can be delivered from the air pump 215 to the water reservoir 905 via the gas supply tube 940. Then, as gas is sent downstream through the gas supply tube 940 and into the flow regulator 950 (as shown by arrow 964 in FIG. 15), the gas expands the spring 952, allowing the gas to flow around the valve pad 954 and downstream through the regulator 950 into the water reservoir 905. As gas is introduced into the water reservoir 905 via the gas supply tube 940, the gas (pressure) pressurizes the surface of the water 985 in the reservoir 905, forcing the water up the lens cleaning solution supply tube 945. The pressurized lens cleaning water 985 is forced through the lens cleaning solution supply tube 945 into the endoscope 100.

[0083] 16 illustrates that after the air pump 215 stops applying gas pressure through the gas supply tube 940 (thereby expanding the spring 952), the spring 952 of the flow regulator 950 can contract (e.g., relax) to allow the valve pad 954 to seal against the shoulder 956 of the pressure regulator 950. As described herein, the valve pad 954 can be sealed against the shoulder 956 of the flow regulator 950 to help maintain the pressure built up in the water reservoir 905 to create a pressure differential between the water 985 and the gas supply tube 905 and maintain a positive pressure in the water reservoir 905, even when a large amount of water is drawn from the water reservoir 905 when a user is utilizing the irrigation function. This configuration compensates for any time lag that may create a negative pressure vacuum in the water reservoir 905 as air is delivered from the air pump 215 to the water reservoir 905.

[0084] It may be appreciated that a variety of check valves, including one or more of the check valves disclosed herein, may function as flow regulators, similar to flow regulator 950. For example, a ball check valve, a diaphragm check valve, a swing check valve, a tilting disk check valve, a flapper valve, a stop check valve, a lift check valve, an in-line check valve, a duckbill valve, a pneumatic check valve, a reed valve, or a backflow preventer, among others, may be utilized as a flow regulator to create a pressure differential between the water 985 and the gas supply 905 to help maintain a positive pressure in the water reservoir 905.

[0085] FIG. 17 illustrates another anti-backflow mechanism that may be incorporated into the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 245c, the upstream irrigation supply tube 320, and / or the downstream irrigation supply tube 255c to help prevent backflow of water from either or both of the lens cleaning and irrigation tubes during negative pressure conditions.

[0086] FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary water reservoir (e.g., container) 1005. The water reservoir 1005 may be similar in form and function to the water reservoirs 270, 305 of the systems 200, 300 described herein. For example, FIG. 17 illustrates that the water reservoir 1005 may include an internal chamber designed to hold various volumes of water 1085. FIG. 17 also illustrates that a cap 1080 (e.g., a bottle cap) may be securely secured to the water reservoir 1005. Securing the cap 1080 to the water reservoir 1005 may provide an air gap 1075 between the cap 1080 of the reservoir 1005 and the water 1085 in the reservoir 1005.

[0087] FIG. 17 further illustrates a length of gas supply tube 1040 having one end located within cavity 1075 and passing through an opening in cap 1080 of reservoir 1005. It can be seen from FIG. 17 that gas supply tube 1040 may be similar in form and function to gas supply tube 240c described herein. FIG. 17 also illustrates a length of lens wash tube 1045 having one end located within water 1085 of reservoir 505 and passing through an opening in cap 1080 of reservoir 1005. It can be seen from FIG. 8 that lens wash tube 1045 may be similar in form and function to lens wash tube 245c described herein.

[0088] FIG. 17 further illustrates that the lens cleaning tube 1045 may fold (e.g., bend, wrap, fold back) after passing through the cap 1080 to form an undulating structure 1092 that extends downward along the outer surface of the water reservoir 1005. The lens cleaning tube 1045 may extend a given length along the outer surface of the water reservoir 1005 and then fold back on itself to extend upward to form the undulating portion 1092. FIG. 17 further illustrates that a water column 1087 may be located within the lens cleaning tube 1045 and extend along both the downward and upward portions of the lens cleaning tube 1045. The water column 1087 disposed within the lens cleaning tube 1045 of FIG. 17 generally forms a "U" shape having a vertical column height "X".

[0089] The water 1087 present in the lens wash tube 1045 may prevent stationary fluid present in the lens wash tube 1045 from flowing back out of the endoscope 100 into the reservoir 1005. In other words, any stationary fluid present in the endoscope 100 returning through the lens wash tube 1045 must return into the water reservoir 1005 against the pressure created by the body of stationary water 1087 present in the undulating portion 1092.

[0090] In some embodiments, the undulating structure 1092 may be included within various tubes and structures of the endoscope systems 200, 300. For example, the undulating structure 1092 shown in FIG. 17 may be incorporated into the design of the water reservoir 1005. In other words, a portion of the wall defining the water reservoir 1005 may define the undulating structure 1092 shown in FIG. 17, allowing the lens wash tube 1045 to be directly connected to that portion of the water reservoir 1005.

[0091] Figure 18 is a highly simplified schematic diagram illustrating that in some embodiments, the swell structure 1092 of the lens wash tube 1045 of Figure 17 can be positioned adjacent to the operating handle 115 of the endoscope 100. For example, as shown in Figure 18, the swell structure 1092 can include a vertical water column 1089, similar to that described above with respect to the swell structure 1092 shown in Figure 17.

[0092] 19 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method. The method may describe possible flows within the hybrid system 300. For example, as represented by box 1100, when gas is needed at the distal tip 100c, for example to clean the end face 100d of the distal tip or to insufflate the patient's body in the treatment area, the user may close the vent hole in the gas / water valve 140 with a thumb, finger, or the like (first position). As represented by box 1110, gas (pressure) may be delivered from the air pump 215 and flow through the connector portion 265 to the gas feed line 240b in the umbilical 260. As represented by box 1220, gas may pass through the gas / water valve 140 to the gas supply line 240a in the endoscope shaft 100a and out the gas / lens cleaning nozzle 220 at the distal tip 100c.

[0093] FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method. The method may describe possible flows within the hybrid system 300. For example, as represented by box 1200, when lens cleaning is required at the distal tip 100c, for example to clean the end face 100d of the distal tip 100c, the user holds the vent hole of the air / water valve closed and pushes the valve 140 down to the deepest point within the valve well 135. As represented by box 1210, the second position blocks gas supply to both the atmosphere as well as the endoscope gas supply line 240a, and opens the gas / water valve 140 to allow lens cleaning water to flow through the lens cleaning solution supply line 245a within the endoscope shaft 100a and out of the gas / lens cleaning nozzle 220 of the distal tip 100c. As represented by box 1220, in this state, gas (pressure) is delivered from the air pump 215 along path C through the branch line within the connector portion 265, and from the gas supply tube 240c to the water reservoir 305. As represented by box 1230, the gas (pressure) pressurizes the surface of the remaining water 285 in the reservoir 305, forcing the water up through the lens cleaning solution feed line 245b in the umbilical 260 and the gas / water valve 140 into the lens cleaning solution supply tube 245c.

[0094] 21 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method. The method may describe a possible flow within the hybrid system 300. For example, as represented by box 1300, when irrigation is required at the distal tip 100c, for example because of poor visibility or obstruction of the treatment area by debris, the user activates the irrigation pump 315 (e.g., by pressing the foot switch 318) to deliver water along path D. As represented by box 1310, when the pump 315 is activated, water is pumped from the water reservoir 305 through the upstream irrigation supply tube 320 and pumped along the downstream irrigation supply tube 255c to the connector portion 265. As represented by box 1320, the irrigation pump head pressure further pushes the irrigation water through the irrigation feed line 255b in the umbilical 260, through the irrigation supply line 255a in the endoscope shaft 100a, and out the irrigation opening 225 at the distal tip 100c.

[0095] It may be understood that the backflow prevention mechanisms described herein may be applied to any of the tubing of systems 200, 300. For example, a backflow prevention mechanism may be incorporated into one or more of the gas supply tubing, the lens cleaning fluid supply tubing, the upstream irrigation supply tubing, the downstream irrigation supply tubing, or any other tubing or component of systems 200, 300 to help prevent backflow of water from either or both of the lens cleaning and irrigation tubing during negative pressure conditions.

[0096] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed apparatus 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 the scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

[0097] All devices and methods described 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, structures, or features in the drawings should be recognized as references to examples of embodiments of the present disclosure, and should not be understood as limiting the present disclosure to the specific elements, structures, or features shown. Other examples of ways to implement the disclosed principles may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure.

[0098] In the foregoing description and claims, it should be understood that: The phrases "at least one," "one or more," and "and / or," as used herein, are open-ended expressions operating both conjunctively and disjunctively. The term "a" entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. Thus, the terms "a," "one or more," and "at least one" may 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 the reader in understanding the present 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 the present 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, tertiary, fourth, etc.) are not intended to imply importance or priority, but are used to distinguish one feature from another.

[0099] The above description is presented for the purpose of illustration and explanation, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the form disclosed herein. Various additions, modifications, and substitutions may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the present disclosure. In particular, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the principles of the present disclosure may be embodied in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, and with other elements, materials, and components without departing from the concept, spirit, scope, or characteristics thereof. For example, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the present disclosure. However, various features of an aspect, embodiment, or configuration of the present disclosure may be combined in alternative aspects, embodiments, or configurations. Those skilled in the art may understand that the present disclosure may be used with many modifications of the structures, arrangements, proportions, materials, components, and other aspects used in the implementation of the present disclosure that are specifically adapted to a particular environment and operating requirements, without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed from multiple pieces or elements shown as multiple pieces may be integrally formed, the operation of elements may be reversed or otherwise changed, sizes or dimensions of elements may be changed, features and components of the various embodiments may be selectively combined, etc. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the claimed invention is indicated by the following claims and not limited to the foregoing description.

[0100] The claims are hereby incorporated by reference into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure. In the claims, the term "comprises / comprising" 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. Also, although individual features may be included in different claims, these features may in some cases be advantageously combined, and their inclusion in different claims does not imply that the combination of features is not feasible and / or advantageous. Moreover, reference to the singular does not exclude a plurality. The terms "a", "first", "second", etc. do not exclude a plurality. Reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A fluid reservoir and tubing set arranged and configured to couple to an endoscope for use in an endoscopic procedure, comprising: a fluid reservoir configured to contain a fluid; a fluid supply tube configured to be coupled to the endoscope, the fluid supply tube having a lumen therethrough in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; a first backflow prevention mechanism coupled to the fluid supply tube and configured to prevent fluid from flowing back from the endoscope through the fluid supply tube to the fluid reservoir while allowing fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir through the fluid supply line to the endoscope; A fluid reservoir and tubing set comprising:

2. The fluid reservoir and tubing set of claim 1 , wherein the fluid supply tube is configured to allow fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir to a lens of the endoscope.

3. 3. The fluid reservoir and tubing set of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first backflow prevention mechanism includes a portion of the fluid supply tube, the portion of the fluid supply tube configured to transition between a radially closed configuration and a radially open configuration.

4. 4. The fluid reservoir and tubing set of claim 3, wherein the portion of the fluid supply tube is configured to prevent fluid from flowing from the endoscope through the fluid supply tube to the fluid reservoir when in the closed configuration.

5. 5. The fluid reservoir and tubing set of claim 1, further comprising a gas supply tube having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be coupled to a gas pump and the second end located within the fluid reservoir, the gas supply tube configured to allow gas to flow into the fluid reservoir to pressurize the fluid within the fluid reservoir.

6. 6. The fluid reservoir and tubing set of claim 4 or 5, wherein a portion of the fluid supply tube is configured to transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration in response to pressurized fluid flowing through the fluid supply tube.

7. The fluid reservoir and tubing set of claim 3 , wherein the portion of the fluid supply tube has a generally elongated cross-sectional shape in the closed configuration.

8. The fluid reservoir and tubing set of claim 3 , wherein the portion of the fluid supply tube has a generally circular cross-sectional shape in the closed configuration.

9. The fluid reservoir and tubing set of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first anti-reflux mechanism includes a resilient material portion.

10. The fluid reservoir and tubing set of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first backflow prevention mechanism includes a clamp disposed adjacent the fluid supply tube.

11. The fluid reservoir and tubing set of claim 10 , wherein the clamp is configured to compress the fluid supply tube to prevent backflow of fluid from the endoscope through the fluid supply tube to the fluid reservoir.

12. 12. The fluid reservoir and tubing set of claim 10 or 11, wherein the clamp is configured to open in response to pressurized fluid flowing through the fluid supply tube.

13. A fluid reservoir and tubing set according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the clamp is attached to the fluid reservoir.

14. 2. The fluid reservoir and tubing set of claim 1, further comprising an irrigation supply tube including a first end, a second end and a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen of the irrigation supply tube being in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir.

15. 15. The fluid reservoir and tubing set of claim 14, further comprising a second backflow prevention mechanism coupled to the irrigation supply tube and configured to prevent fluid from flowing back from the endoscope through the irrigation supply tube to the fluid reservoir while allowing fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir through the irrigation supply tube to the endoscope.

Images