Control mechanism for jointly movable medical devices

Abstract

To provide an endoscope that facilitates the placement of endotracheal devices and the delivery of medications. [Solution] The endoscope device includes a handle, a shaft protruding from the handle, a flexible tip connected to the distal end of the shaft, and first and second pull wires extending from the handle portion through the shaft portion and connected to the flexible tip. The handle portion includes a control wheel assembly connected to the proximal ends of the first and second pull wires. The control wheel assembly includes a control wheel having a disc-shaped body rotatably mounted within the handle and having an outer circumference and a first surface, and first and second pull wire troughs provided on the first surface to receive the proximal ends of the first and second pull wires, respectively. The positioning of the first and second pull wires within the first and second pull wire troughs is performed independently to provide precise tension to the first and second pull wires during assembly of the endoscope device.

Description

Background Art

[0001] An endoscope refers to a medical device that enables remote inspection of the interior of a patient's body. Endoscopes can be used for various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures related to, for example, the gastrointestinal, respiratory, reproductive, and urinary tracts. In order to improve the ability to view specific internal structures, endoscopes with a tip that can perform articulating movements have been designed. However, such endoscopes with articulating movements have problems related to the accuracy of the movement of the articulating tip.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0002] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an endoscope system according to an embodiment described in this specification. [Figure 2A] It is a left side view showing the interior of the right shell 200 and the control mechanism of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment described in this specification. [Figure 2B] It is a left front exploded isometric view of the right shell and the control mechanism of FIG. 2A. [Figure 2C] It is a cross-sectional view of the handle 108 along line A-A of FIG. 2A. [Figure 2D] It is a right front exploded isometric view of the left shell and the control mechanism of FIGS. 1 and 2A. [Figure 3A] It is a rear view of the control wheel and the control lever of FIGS. 2A to 2D according to an embodiment described in this specification. [Figure 3B] It is a left side view of the control wheel and the control lever of FIGS. 2A to 2D according to an embodiment described in this specification. [Figure 3C] It is a front view of the control wheel and the control lever of FIGS. 2A to 2D according to an embodiment described in this specification. [Figure 3D] It is a bottom view of the control wheel and the control lever of FIGS. 2A to 2D according to an embodiment described in this specification. [Figure 3E] It is a left front isometric view of the control wheel and the control lever of FIGS. 2A to 2D according to an embodiment described in this specification. [Figure 3F]Figures 2A to 2D show isometric views of the control wheel and control lever from the left rear, according to embodiments described herein. [Figure 4A] This is a right side view showing an endoscope having a lock assembly according to additional embodiments described herein. [Figure 4B] Figure 4A is a right-front exploded isometric view showing the lock assembly. [Figure 4C] This is a left-front exploded isometric view showing the lock assembly of Figures 4A and 4B according to the embodiments described herein. [Figure 4D] Figures 4A to 4C are right side views showing the lock assembly. [Figure 4E] Figure 4D is a cross-sectional view of the handle shown in Figures 4A to 4D, along line BB. [Figure 4F] Figure 4E is an isometric view of the left front portion of the handle. [Figure 5A] Figures 4A to 4E are isometric views of the control wheel and braking components from the right front. [Figure 5B] Figures 4A to 4E are isometric views of the control wheel and braking components from the right rear. [Figure 5C] This is a cross-sectional view of the control wheel and braking components along line CC in Figure 5A. [Figure 5D] Figures 5A to 5C are isometric views of the right front portion of the control wheel and braking components. [Figure 5E] Figures 5A to 5C are isometric views of the right rear section of the control wheel and braking components. [Figure 5F] Figures 5A to 5D are right side views of the lock lever. [Figure 5G] Figures 4A to 5D are right side views of the control wheel and lock assembly, illustrating both the non-locked and locked configurations. [Figure 5H] Figures 4A to 5D are right-side cross-sectional views of the control wheel and lock assembly, illustrating both the non-locked and locked configurations. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0003] The following detailed description refers to the attached drawings. The same reference numeral in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Furthermore, the following detailed description is not intended to limit the invention.

[0004] The following describes a video-based endoscope or catheter system that enables examination of a patient's airway, facilitating the placement of endotracheal devices (e.g., endotracheal tubes) and drug delivery. The system uses an embodiment of a video endoscope that includes a flexible tip controlled by operating a control lever on the handle of the endoscope device. According to the embodiments described herein, the video endoscope includes several components to ensure accurate and repeatable positioning of the flexible tip. In detail, the video endoscope may include a control mechanism that includes a circular control wheel having a pair of control wire conduits arranged on either side of a central hole. Each control wire conduit includes an enclosed portion for holding a pair of control wires within the pair of control wire conduits. As described herein, the portion of the outer circumference of the control wheel between the outlets of the control wire conduits includes an expansion or lobe-like portion for engaging with each control wire, giving a variable articulation ratio at various positions relative to the control wheel when the control wheel is rotated around the central hole.

[0005] In further embodiments, the control mechanism may include a braking assembly for locking the control wheel in a selected direction. In one embodiment, the braking assembly may include a generally tubular braking drum having a portion configured to be received within a central hole of the control wheel. A locking actuation element is configured to engage with a portion of the braking drum and expand the braking drum to engage with the central hole of the control wheel.

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

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

[0008] The video monitor 106 can supply power to the endoscope 102 via the data cable 104 and initiate image acquisition from the endoscope 102. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the video monitor 106 may include a display 128 and a control interface 130. The operator (e.g., a medical professional) can use the video monitor 106 as an interface during use to initiate image acquisition, freeze at a specific frame, or adjust any settings. Although not shown, the video monitor 106 may also include a data cable interface for receiving the end of the data cable 104, a battery or other power source, and a remote monitoring interface to allow the view of the display 128 to be transmitted to one or more other display monitors.

[0009] According to the embodiments described herein, the shaft 110 may be formed from several separate parts. In particular, the proximal 122 and intermediate 120 of the shaft 110 may be formed from a braided semi-rigid polymer material having a single lumen sized to receive the internal components described below. In contrast, the flexible tip 124 may be formed from an injection-molded material having a plurality of separate lumens and a series of articulating slits on its outer circumference.

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

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 2A to 3F, the control ring 204 includes a generally disk-shaped disk body 210 rotatably attached to the inner cavity 203 of the handle 108. As shown in the figure, the disk body includes a left side surface 212 and a right side surface 214. In particular, in one embodiment, the control ring 204 includes a left shaft portion 216 that protrudes leftward from the left side surface 212 of the disk body 210 toward the left shell 202, and a right shaft portion 218 that protrudes rightward from the right side surface 214 of the disk body 210 toward the right shell 200. To receive the rotatable attachment within the inner cavity 203, the left shell 202 can include a left boss 220 sized to receive the left shaft portion 216, and the right shell 200 can include a right boss 222 sized to receive the right shaft portion 218. For example, the outer surface of the left boss 220 can receive and engage the inner surface of the left shaft portion 216, and the inner surface of the right boss 222 can receive and engage the outer surface of the right shaft portion 218, but other configurations may be used.

[0012] According to the embodiments described herein, the disk body portion 210 includes a lobe-like or cam-like configuration in which at least a portion 224 of the outer periphery of the body portion 210 protrudes radially outward from the remaining portion of the body portion 210. Thus, at least a portion of the control ring 204 is provided with different outer diameters, with a first portion having a smaller outer diameter and a second portion having a larger outer diameter. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the front portion of the body portion 210 includes a lobe-like portion or an extension portion 224 that effectively forms a region of increasing radius for engaging the respective pull wires 206. Such a configuration allows a variable pull ratio to be applied to the pull wire 206 when the control ring 204 is rotated and the pull wire 206 engages the lobe-like portion 224.

[0013] In addition to the lobe-shaped portion 224, the disk-shaped body portion 210 may further include an enlarged region 225. Similar to the lobe-shaped portion 224, the enlarged region 225 can also have an outer diameter larger than the remaining portion of the body portion 210. In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the enlarged region 225 may be the same as the outer diameter of the lobe-shaped portion 224, but in other examples, the enlarged region 225 may have a different (e.g., larger) outer diameter. As shown in FIG. 3E, the enlarged region 225 may be configured not to engage with the pull wire 206 or otherwise support the pull wire 206 at the outer periphery, in contrast to the lobe-shaped portion 224. Specifically, as shown in the drawing, the lobe-shaped portion 224 can be formed in a region of the body portion 210 to the left or above the enlarged region 225.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2A, the enlarged region 225 can include a portion of the control ring 204 that can be near the opening 242 of the handle 108, through which the control lever 208 extends. By including the enlarged region 225 in this region of the handle 108, the gap between the control ring 204 and the opening 242 can be minimized, thereby preventing or minimizing the entry of foreign matter into the inner cavity 203.

[0015] As shown in the drawing, the body portion 210 of the control ring 204 includes a pair of pull wire troughs 226 and 228 for receiving and positioning the pull wires 206a and 206b, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F, the pull wire troughs 226 / 288 extend from the left side surface of the body portion 210 in a direction generally perpendicular to the rotation axis of the control ring 204 and can be formed as parallel protrusions on both sides of the left shaft portion 216. The pull wire troughs 226 and 228 can be formed near the opposing portions 224a and 224b of the lobe-shaped portion 224 such that the front ends of the troughs 226 / 228 end near the opposing portions 224a and 224b of the lobe portion 224, respectively.

[0016] As shown in the figure, the pull wire troughs 226 and 228 are formed on both sides of the left shaft portion 216. The clockwise rotation of the control wheel 204 around the left shaft portion 216 causes the pull wire 206a to retract relative to the endoscope axis 110 and the pull wire 206b to advance into the endoscope axis 110, thereby bending the tip 124 downward relative to the handle 108. Conversely, the counterclockwise rotation of the control wheel 204 around the left shaft portion 216 causes the pull wire 206a to advance into the endoscope axis 110 and the pull wire 206b to retract relative to the endoscope axis 110, thereby bending the tip 124 upward relative to the handle 108.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2A and 3A, in one embodiment, the troughs 226 / 228 may be formed asymmetrically with respect to the left shaft portion 216, with trough 226 formed closer to the left shaft 216 than trough 228. However, as illustrated, the positioning of the opposing portions 224a and 224b of the lobe portion 224 determines the bending geometry for producing the motion of the pull wire 206. In particular, in the exemplary embodiment, the distance from the center of the left shaft portion 216 (i.e., the center of the disc portion 210) to each of portions 224a and 224b is the same. In this method, the momentum of the pull wire 206 is equal as a result of the rotation of the control wheel 204 around the left shaft portion 216, either clockwise or counterclockwise. In contrast, in other embodiments, portions 224a and 224b may be positioned asymmetrically so that the motion of the pull wire is biased in a particular direction.

[0018] Each pull-wire trough 226 / 228 includes a conduit 230 for receiving each pull-wire 206 during assembly of the endoscope 102. The conduit 230 may be sized to receive the pull-wires 206. In some embodiments, the conduit 230 may include a V-groove configuration for guiding each pull-wire 206 at a specific position relative to the conduit 230. According to embodiments described herein, each pull-wire trough 226 / 228 includes a surrounding portion 232 to cover at least a portion of the conduit 230 of the trough 226 / 228. Such a configuration prevents the pull-wire, once positioned in the trough before or during use, from falling out of the conduit 230 and disengaging from the lobe portion 224. In some embodiments, the surrounding portion 232 may extend forward from the trough 226 / 228 to the outer circumference of the control wheel 204 to prevent the pull-wire 206 from disengaging from the control wheel 204.

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

[0020] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, to facilitate the precise routing of the pull wire 206 through the handle 108, one or both of the shells 200 / 200 may include a wiring post 239 projecting inward and having a precise configuration for guiding the pull wire 206, preventing unwanted wear or binding. As illustrated, the wiring post 239 may be positioned at specific intermediate locations within the handle 108, providing a longitudinal path through the handle 108 that avoids interference with other features included within the handle 108, such as conduits or tubing systems associated with the suction port assembly 114 or access port 116, gripping portion 111, etc., which are not shown in the drawings. As shown in Figure 2A, such locations may not be symmetrically aligned with the pull wire troughs 226 / 228.

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

[0022] As shown in Figure 2B, the control lever 208 may include a generally T-shaped T-body 244 having an engaging portion 246 and a shaft portion 248 projecting downward from the engaging portion 246. As illustrated, the engaging portion 246 may be configured for easy forward and backward movement by the user's thumb while operating the endoscope 102. In some embodiments, the engaging portion 246 includes a curved lateral contour that generally reflects the shape of the handle 108. Such features minimize the possibility of the control lever 108 getting caught on various environmental elements such as clothing, equipment, wires / cables. The outer surface of the control lever 108 may include a friction surface, such as a ribbed, grooved, or knurled surface. Such a configuration reduces the possibility of the user's thumb slipping off the control lever 108 during use. The shaft portion 248 of the control lever 208 may include a shape corresponding to the slot 241 of the control lever engaging portion 240 and may include a rectangular, cylindrical, or tapered shape. As briefly described above, the shaft portion 248 may include a clip feature 250 to facilitate a releasable connection of the control lever 208 to the control wheel 204. Although a T-shaped body is shown in the drawings, additional or alternative configurations, such as a generally cylindrical or spherical knob, may be used in other embodiments.

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

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

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

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

[0027] As shown in the figure, the flange portion 411 protrudes radially outward from the friction portion and includes a shoulder portion 414 for sliding engagement with the end of the braking shaft 416, which protrudes to the right from the control wheel body 210 coaxially with the right shaft portion 218. As shown in the figure, the friction portion 410 of the ring-shaped body 406 includes a central hole 418 formed through the friction portion 410 and a flange portion 411 having an inner diameter that roughly corresponds to the outer diameter of the braking boss 420 protruding to the left from the right shell 200, and is coaxial with the right boss 222 and the braking shaft 416. In the relaxed or initial state, in the unlocked configuration, the outer diameter of the friction portion 410 is sized to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the braking shaft 416 so that the braking shaft 416 rotates freely relative to the friction portion 410. Such a configuration may be achieved by forming a braking component 402 of a suitable rigid material.

[0028] As shown in the figures, the friction portion 410 of the ring-shaped body 406 includes a gap 422 formed on the opposite side of the hinge portion 408 on its outer circumference. The lock lever engaging portion 412 includes the exposed interiors 412a and 412b of the friction portion 410 near the gap 422. As shown in Figures 4A to 5B, the portion of the flange portion 411 near the hinge portion 408 is removed so that only the friction portion 410, which has a radially thin configuration and therefore a flexible configuration, remains. This configuration allows the hinge portion 408 to flex when the width of the gap 422 is increased, such as when outward pressure is applied to the lock lever engaging portion 412 via the lock lever 404.

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

[0030] As shown in Figure 4A, the lock lever 404 includes a lock actuation part 424 and a lever part 426. The lock actuation part 424 has a generally rectangular or elliptical configuration with length "L" and width "W", and has a configuration in which the length is greater than the width so that an effective cam surface is formed when the lock actuation part 424 rotates within the gap 422. The relative dimensions of length to width can be selected to give the desired lock lever operating performance. For example, if the length-to-width ratio is larger, the friction part 410 of the ring-shaped body 406 of the braking component engages with the braking shaft 416 with a smaller movement of the lever part 426, and if the length-to-width ratio is smaller, the friction part 410 of the ring-shaped body 406 of the braking component engages with the braking shaft 416 with a larger movement of the lever part 426. In any case, the length of the lock actuation part 424 is selected so as to be sufficient to produce the amount of expansion of the friction part 410 necessary to restrain the rotation of the control wheel 204. In one embodiment, the corner 427 of the locking actuation mechanism 424 is curved to allow a smooth transition between the unlocked and locked configurations. The locking actuation mechanism 424 further includes a central hole 428 for receiving a locking lever pivot pin 430. As shown in Figures 4B and 4E, the right shell 200 includes a pivot pin receiving hole 432 for receiving the pivot pin 430, the pivot pin receiving hole 432 allowing the pin 430 to remain fixed against the handle 108 during operation.

[0031] As shown in Figures 4D to 4F, the right shell 200 is configured to include an opening 434 for receiving the user-operable portion of the lever portion 426 so that it protrudes through the opening 434. Thus, the lever portion 426 is suitable for protruding through the opening 434 and has a length suitable for providing sufficient torque to actuate the braking component 402, as described above. In some embodiments, the lever portion 426 may be inclined with respect to the actuarial portion 424 to improve reach or usability.

[0032] During assembly, the braking component 402 can be positioned on the braking boss 420 and rotated so that the gap 422 is close to the opening 434. The locking actuation part 424 is inserted into the gap 422 through the opening 434. The pivot pin 430 is then inserted through the central hole 428 and placed in the pivot pin receiving hole 432. The right shaft 218 of the control wheel 204 can then be placed on the right-side boss 222 so that the friction part 410 is received within the braking shaft 416. Subsequently, the control mechanism 112 can be assembled into the endoscope 102 as described above with respect to Figures 1 to 3F.

[0033] Figures 5G and 5H illustrate the lock assembly 400 and the control wheel 204 in both the locked and unlocked states, with the locked state indicated by a dotted line. To actuate the lock actuation mechanism 424, the lock lever 404 can be rotated around the pivot pin 430 (for example, by the pressure of the user's thumb) such that a portion of the lock actuation mechanism 424 applies outward pressure to the interior 412a / 412b of the lock lever engagement mechanism 412 (illustrated as elements 404' and 424' in Figures 5G and 5H). Continued rotation of the lever portion 426 expands the friction portion 410 outward around the hinge portion 408 (illustrated as element 410' in Figures 5G and 5H), engaging with the inner surface of the braking shaft 416, thereby restricting the movement of the control wheel 204. Returning to the unlocked state is done by reversing the rotation of the lock lever 204, thereby removing the outward pressure on the friction part 410 and allowing the friction part 410 to return to the relaxed configuration.

[0034] The above description of embodiments is illustrative and not exhaustive, nor is it intended to limit embodiments to the exact forms disclosed. Various embodiments have been described in the preceding description with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, various modifications and variations may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims. Therefore, this specification and the drawings should be considered illustrative and not restrictive.

[0035] As described herein and illustrated by the drawings, “exemplary examples,” “examples,” etc., are used and may include specific features, structures, or characteristics relating to those examples. However, the use of phrases or terms such as “examples” in various parts of this specification does not necessarily refer to all of the examples described, nor does it necessarily refer to the same example, and separate or alternative examples are not necessarily mutually exclusive with other examples. The same applies to terms such as “embodiments.”

[0036] The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to be interpreted as including one or more items. Furthermore, the phrase “based on” is intended to be interpreted as “at least partially based” unless explicitly stated otherwise. The terms “and / or” are intended to be interpreted as including any and all combinations of one or more of the associated items.

[0037] The term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “acting as an example.” Any example or embodiment described as “exemplary” shall not necessarily be construed as being preferable or advantageous to other examples or embodiments.

[0038] The use of sequential terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” to modify elements of a claim in the claims does not, by itself, imply any priority, precedence, or order in which one element of a claim takes precedence over another, such as the temporal order in which the actions of a method are performed or the temporal order in which instructions are performed by an apparatus. Rather, it is used simply to distinguish the elements of a claim, as a marker to distinguish one element of a claim having a particular name from another element having the same name (except for the use of sequential terms). Similarly, relative terms such as right, left, front, back, up, and down are used to describe the relative position and relative location of various elements described herein and do not constitute an absolute or permanent direction or position with respect to an external viewpoint.

[0039] Any element, action, or command described herein should not be construed as essential or required for the embodiments described herein unless expressly stated otherwise.

Claims

1. The handlebars and A shaft protruding from the aforementioned handle, A flexible tip connected to the distal end of the aforementioned shaft, A first pull wire and a second pull wire extend from the handle portion through the shaft portion and are connected to the flexible tip. An endoscope device equipped with, The handle portion includes a control wheel assembly connected to the proximal end of the first pull wire and the proximal end of the second pull wire, The handle includes a control lever connected to the control wheel assembly, The operation of the control lever causes the control wheel assembly to rotate, and the rotation subsequently causes the flexible tip to bend via the first pull wire and the second pull wire. The control wheel assembly, A control wheel having a disc-shaped body rotatably mounted within the handle, and having an outer circumference and a first surface, A first pull wire trough and a second pull wire trough are provided on the first surface to receive the proximal ends of the first pull wire and the proximal ends of the second pull wire, respectively. Includes, The positioning of the first pull wire and the second pull wire within the first pull wire trough and the second pull wire trough is performed independently in order to apply precise tension to the first pull wire and the second pull wire during the assembly of the endoscope device. Endoscope equipment.

2. The control wheel includes a central shaft or central hole around which the disc-shaped body rotates during use. The first pull wire trough and the second pull wire trough are provided on both sides of the central axis or the central hole. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first pull-wire trough and the second pull-wire trough are parallel to each other.

4. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first pull-wire trough and the second pull-wire trough includes a conduit for supporting the first pull-wire and the second pull-wire, respectively.

5. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of the first pull-wire trough and the second pull-wire trough further includes a surrounding portion that covers at least a part of the conduit.

6. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first pull wire trough and the second pull wire trough is configured to receive and hold a sealing material or adhesive when the first pull wire and the second pull wire are under tension.

7. The endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein the outer circumference of the disc-shaped body near the ends of each pull wire trough includes lobe-shaped portions that provide a region with an increased radius on the outer circumference of the aforementioned control wheel.

8. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the outer circumference of the disc-shaped body includes an enlarged region near the control lever to prevent foreign matter from entering the handle.

9. To restrain the flexible tip at a selected position, a locking assembly for restraining the rotation of the control wheel is further provided. The lock assembly, A braking component configured to frictionally engage with a braking shaft protruding from the control wheel, A lock lever configured to activate the aforementioned braking component and Includes, At least a portion of the lock lever protrudes from the handle, The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.

10. The braking component includes a ring-shaped body configured to fit within the braking shaft, The ring-shaped body, Friction area and, The hinge part, A lock lever engagement portion is located on the opposite side of the aforementioned hinge portion. including, The endoscopic apparatus according to claim 9.

11. The lock lever engagement portion includes at least a gap for receiving the locking actuation portion of the lock lever, The operation of the lock lever engages the lock operating part with the lock lever engaging part, increasing the width of the gap in the ring-shaped body, and moving the friction part of the ring-shaped body radially outward around the hinge part. The radially outward movement of the friction portion causes the friction portion to frictionally engage with the inner surface of the braking shaft. The endoscopic device according to claim 10.

12. The locking mechanism has a length and a width, and the length is greater than the width. In the unlocked state, the width dimension is given in the gap, The operation of the lock lever rotates the locking mechanism, thereby increasing the dimensions of the locking mechanism within the gap and increasing the width of the gap. The endoscopic device according to claim 11.

13. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism includes a curved corner.

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

15. The handlebars and A shaft protruding from the aforementioned handle, A flexible tip connected to the distal end of the aforementioned shaft, A first pull wire and a second pull wire extend from the handle portion through the shaft portion and are connected to the flexible tip. An endoscope device equipped with, The handle portion includes a control assembly connected to the proximal end of the first pull wire and the proximal end of the second pull wire, The handle includes a control lever connected to the control assembly, The operation of the control lever causes the control assembly to rotate, and the rotation subsequently causes the flexible tip to bend via the first pull wire and the second pull wire. The control assembly, A control wheel having a disc-shaped body that is rotatably mounted inside the handle, A lock assembly for restraining the rotation of the control wheel in order to stop the flexible tip at a selected position and Includes, The lock assembly, A braking component configured to frictionally engage with a braking shaft protruding from the control wheel, A lock lever configured to activate the aforementioned braking component and Includes, At least a portion of the lock lever protrudes from the handle, Endoscope equipment.

16. The braking component includes a ring-shaped body configured to fit within the braking shaft, The ring-shaped body, Friction area and, The hinge part, A lock lever engagement portion is located on the opposite side of the aforementioned hinge portion. including, The endoscope apparatus according to claim 15.

17. The lock lever engagement portion includes at least a gap for receiving the locking actuation portion of the lock lever, The operation of the lock lever engages the lock operating part with the lock lever engaging part, increasing the width of the gap in the ring-shaped body, and moving the friction part of the ring-shaped body radially outward around the hinge part. The radially outward movement of the friction portion causes the friction portion to frictionally engage with the inner surface of the braking shaft. The endoscopic device according to claim 16.

18. The locking mechanism has a length and a width, and the length is greater than the width. In the unlocked state, the width dimension is given in the gap, The operation of the lock lever rotates the locking mechanism, thereby increasing the dimensions of the locking mechanism within the gap and increasing the width of the gap. The endoscopic device according to claim 17.

19. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the locking mechanism includes a curved corner.

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

Images