Accessories for shafts of medical scope devices

Abstract

The accessory (10) for mounting over the shaft (70) of a medical scoping device includes a tubular body (12) having proximal and distal ends (14, 16) and outer and inner surfaces (18, 20). The tubular body (12) includes a cover (26) defining the inner and outer surfaces, and a reinforcing member (28) disposed between the inner and outer surfaces. The cover (26) is formed of a soft first material, and the reinforcing member (28) is formed of a harder second material. The tubular body is radially expandable.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a medical scope such as an endoscope. Device For use with Accessories for shafts of medical scope devices Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0183328 describes a cover for a shaft of a medical scope device, particularly for attachment over the distal tip of an endoscope. The cover is a tubular body having proximal and distal ends and inner and outer circumferential surfaces. The outer surface of the cover is provided with a plurality of protruding elements that extend radially outward from the cover in use to facilitate inspection of a body cavity or performing other medical procedures with the medical scope.

[0003] However, attaching this type of cover to the shaft can be difficult because the cover may buckle, wrinkle, or fold when attached to the shaft. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] US Patent No. 2019 / 0183328 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure provides an attachment for a shaft of a medical scope device. , Shi It is configured to be used over the distal end of the shaft. At the same time , which extends along a portion of the distal end of the shaft during use , near a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, and an outer surface A tubular body having The tubular body includes a cover defining an inner surface and an outer surface, and a reinforcing member disposed between the inner surface and the outer surface, and the cover 、 The reinforcing member is formed of a soft first material.、 The tubular body is formed of a rigid second material. 、 Provide an attachment that is radially expandable.

[0006] Such attachments are more rigid, making it easier to attach the device to the shaft. The attachments are radially expandable, allowing for slight expansion upon attachment, but still providing a firm grip on the shaft surface. The inner and outer surfaces are made of a softer material to avoid damaging the shaft or body tissue.

[0007] This disclosure refers, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are exploded and assembled views of an accessory of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2A and 2B are plan, side and bottom views, and perspective views from above and below, of the attachment of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 2A and 2B are plan, perspective and side views, and perspective views from above and below, of the cover of the accessory of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] 2A and 2B show plan, side and bottom views, and perspective views from above and below, of the reinforcing element of the attachment of FIG. 1. [Figure 5a] 10A and 10B are side and perspective views of an alternative embodiment of a reinforcing element. [Figure 5b] 10A and 10B are side and perspective views of an alternative embodiment of a reinforcing element. [Figure 5c] 10A and 10B are side and perspective views of an alternative embodiment of a reinforcing element. [Figure 5d] 10A and 10B are side and perspective views of an alternative embodiment of a reinforcing element. [Figure 6] 1A-1C are end, side, top and perspective views of a protruding element. [Figure 7a] 10A-10C are end and perspective views of an alternative embodiment of a protruding element. [Figure 7b] 10A-10C are end and perspective views of an alternative embodiment of a protruding element. [Figure 7c] 10A-10C are end and perspective views of an alternative embodiment of a protruding element. [Figure 8a] 1 illustrates an accessory of the present disclosure in use. [Figure 8b] 1 illustrates an accessory of the present disclosure in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1 and 2, an attachment 10 for a shaft of a medical scoping device includes a tubular body 12 that is open at each end. The tubular body 12 has a proximal end 14, a distal end 16, an outer circumferential surface 18, and an inner circumferential surface 20. The tubular body 12 has a longitudinal axis 22.

[0010] A plurality of protruding elements 24 may be provided on the exterior surface 18 of the tubular body 12. As will be explained further below, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there are two rows of eight protruding elements 24. The protruding elements 24 in each row are evenly spaced around the circumference of the tubular body 12. However, there may be only one row or more than two rows. Different numbers of protruding elements 24 and different spacings are also possible.

[0011] Each protruding element 24 may be movable relative to tubular body 12 during use, as described below. In a normal, resting position, each protruding element 24 protrudes outwardly from tubular body 12 at an angle relative to longitudinal axis 22, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0012] The tubular body 12 is a two-piece composite structure including a cover 26 and a reinforcing member 28, shown individually at the top of FIG. 1 . The tubular body 12 may be formed as a two-component injection molded part, with the reinforcing member 28 molded first and then molded over the cover 26 so that the reinforcing member 28 is embedded within the cover 26. Although the cover 26 is formed of a softer first material and the reinforcing member 28 is formed of a harder second material, both portions are elastically deformable and radially expandable, resulting in the tubular body 12 as a whole being radially expandable. The cover 26 and the reinforcing member 28 may be formed from polymeric materials. The softer cover material forms both the inner surface 20 and the outer surface 18 of the tubular body 12. However, portions of the reinforcing member 28 may be exposed, as described further below.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the cover 26 may comprise a double-skinned sleeve having an outer wall, an inner wall and an annular gap therebetween, and the reinforcing element 28 may be disposed within the gap. 26 The distal end of the catheter may have an opening.

[0014] One embodiment of a reinforcing element 28 is shown in FIG. 4. It comprises a generally cylindrical member formed by a series of axially extending legs 30 joined to one another by circumferentially extending struts 32 positioned between pairs of adjacent legs 30 and arranged in alternating proximal and distal ends. That is, as shown in the side view of FIG. 4, a first leg 30a may be joined at its proximal end (at its lower end in the orientation shown in FIG. 4) to a second leg 30b by a first strut 32a, which may be joined at its distal end (at its upper end in the orientation shown in FIG. 4) to a third leg 30c by a second strut 32b, which may be joined at its proximal end to a fourth leg 30d by a third strut 32c, and so on. Thus, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the reinforcing element 28 is discontinuous, with openings spaced around the circumference. In this manner, the reinforcing element 28 can be radially expanded to some extent by spreading each pair of adjacent legs 30 away from the strut 32 connecting them.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, the struts 32 formed at the distal end of the reinforcing element 28 may be enlarged or may include radially outwardly extending projections 34. In the assembled accessory 10, these projections 34 remain exposed and are not embedded within the cover 26. Together, the exposed projections 34 form a more rigid rim at the distal end 16 of the accessory 10.

[0016] The exact configuration of the reinforcing element 28 may be varied in several ways to provide a reinforcing function while allowing for some radial expansion. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 5a, the legs 30 are not parallel to the longitudinal axis 22 but are angled relative to it.

[0017] In the embodiment of Figure 5b, the legs 30 are arranged in a staggered pattern, with alternating legs 30 at an angle to form a series of interconnected V-shapes, where the connecting ends of adjacent legs 30 simply join together.

[0018] Instead of generally axially aligned legs 30 joined alternately at the proximal and distal ends, the reinforcing element 28 may be formed as a lattice structure. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5c, diamond-shaped cells 38 are created by a series of intersecting X-shaped legs 36. In the embodiment of Figure 5d, a lattice having honeycomb-shaped or hexagonal cells 40 is provided. In the embodiments of Figures 5c and 5d, at least one complete cell 38, 40 is provided around the central portion of the reinforcing element 28, while the cells 38, 40 are incomplete at the distal and proximal ends.

[0019] In all cases, the structure of the reinforcing element 28 is such that, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the reinforcing element 28 is discontinuous, allowing for radial expansion.

[0020] The stiffening element 28 of harder material provides rigidity to the accessory 10, facilitating attachment of the accessory 10 to the shaft 70 of a medical scope device without buckling or wrinkling of the accessory 10. The softer material of the cover 26 is formed on the inner surface 18 and outer surface 20 to avoid damaging the surface of the shaft 70 or body tissue.

[0021] As described above, the tubular body 12 includes a plurality of protruding arms 24 that, in use, serve to flatten and smooth tissue folds to aid in the performance of examinations and medical procedures. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the tubular body 12 includes two rows 42, 44 of protruding arms 24, with eight arms 24 in each row. The arms 24 are evenly spaced circumferentially. The arms 24 in the first row 42 are joined to the tubular body 12 adjacent the distal end 16. The second row 44 is axially spaced from the first row 42 and is positioned in a generally central region of the tubular body 12.

[0022] The arms 24 in the first row 42 are shorter than the arms 24 in the second row 44. However, the arms 24 in all rows may be the same length, or the lengths of the arms 24 within a row may vary. Fewer or more rows of arms 24 may be provided, and each row may have fewer or more arms 24.

[0023] 2 and 3, the arms 24 in the first row 42 are staggered relative to the arms 24 in the second row 44 so that they do not overlap one another. However, the arms 24 in all rows may be in the same orientation so that they overlap one another. The arms 24 are formed from the same flexible material as the cover 26 and, therefore, can flex when the accessory 10 is in use, as described below.

[0024] 6, each arm 24 includes a base 48 and a tip 50. The base 48 is connected to the tubular body 12 by a connecting element 52 that has sufficient flexibility to allow the arms 24 to pivot relative to the tubular body 12 in use. The connecting elements 52 for the shorter arms 24 may be smaller and weaker than the connecting elements 52 for the longer arms 24.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6 , in side profile, the arm narrows from base 48 (shown on the right side of the figure) to tip 50 (shown on the left side of the figure). In this orientation, the top surface of arm 24, which faces distally in use, may be provided with one or more ribs 54 that extend along the arm from base 48 to tip 50. In the illustrated embodiment, two ribs 54 have a channel 56 therebetween. This reduces the surface area of ​​the top (distal-facing) side of arm 24 to reduce friction, thereby reducing the area of ​​arm 24 that comes into contact with the wall of the colon during insertion of the medical scoping device. For the same reason, the top (distal-facing) surface should be smooth.

[0026] To assist in grasping tissue and flattening or straightening tissue folds during use, the lowermost or proximally facing side of arm 24 may be roughened to increase resistance against the wall of the colon.

[0027] The tip 50 of each arm 24 may be enlarged and curved. In a side view, the tip 50 can be seen to curve downward, i.e., proximally, relative to the remainder of the arm 24 to form a cup shape, and then curve slightly upward again. In a plan view, the tip 50 can be seen to flare relative to the remainder of the arm 24.

[0028] The underside, proximally facing side of tip 50 may be provided with features to further enhance its grip on the wall of the colon. This may be done by a roughened surface texture, or by forming, for example, an array of cavities 58 in the surface as shown in FIG. 7a, an array of protrusions 60 from the surface as shown in FIG. 7b, or a series of protruding ribs 62 as shown in FIG. 7c. Furthermore, as shown, ribs 62 may be formed along at least a portion of arms 24, rather than just tip 50. Similarly, cavities 58 or protrusions 60 may be formed along at least a portion of arms 24, rather than just tip 50.

[0029] In use, accessory 10 is mounted over the distal end of a shaft 70 of a medical scoping device, such as an endoscope. The medical scoping device shaft 70 can then be inserted into a patient's body, such as into the colon. Typically, when examining the colon 72, the medical scoping device shaft 70 is advanced relatively quickly to the furthest point requiring examination, and then gradually and slowly withdrawn, with most of the visual examination occurring during the withdrawal.

[0030] The arms 24 may bend relative to the tubular body 12 so as not to inhibit insertion and withdrawal of the shaft 70. In the expanded configuration, as shown in FIG. 8a, the arms 24 may contact the wall of the colon 72. As the shaft 70 is withdrawn and the arms 24 encounter a fold or narrower section, the arms 24 contact and gently grasp the tissue. Initially, this may push the arms 24 inward toward the tubular body 12, as shown in FIG. 8b. As the shaft 70 continues to be withdrawn, the arms 24 tend to bend outward again, acting to gently open and flatten the colonic folds to aid in examination. Once the procedure is complete, the shaft 70 is fully withdrawn from the patient's body. The cover 10 can then be removed from the shaft 70 for disposal or for cleaning and reuse.

[0031] Thus, the present disclosure provides improved accessories for the shaft of a medical scoping device that are easier to attach to the shaft yet remain flexible during use to aid in examination and performance of medical procedures.

Claims

1. 1. An accessory for a shaft of a medical scoping device, comprising: a tubular body configured to be used over a distal end of the medical scoping device shaft, the tubular body extending along a portion of the distal end of the shaft during use, the tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the tubular body comprising a cover defining the inner surface and the outer surface, and a reinforcing member disposed between the inner surface and the outer surface, the cover being formed of a first softer material and the reinforcing member being formed of a second harder material, the tubular body being radially expandable.

2. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the reinforcing member is exposed and not within the cover.

3. The accessory of claim 2 , wherein a portion of the reinforcing member at the distal end is exposed to form a more rigid rim at the distal end of the tubular body.

4. 4. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member comprises a cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of openings formed therein such that the reinforcing member is discontinuous in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

5. 5. The accessory of claim 4, wherein the reinforcing member comprises a plurality of legs extending between the proximal end and the distal end, each leg joined to an adjacent leg on one side at the distal end by a connecting strut and joined to an adjacent leg on the other side at the proximal end by a connecting strut.

6. 5. The accessory of claim 4, wherein the reinforcing member comprises a lattice formed by a plurality of interconnected elements defining a plurality of cells therebetween.

7. The accessory of claim 6 , wherein the cells are at least one of diamond-shaped and hexagonal.

8. An accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the tubular body further comprises a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly.

9. 9. The accessory of claim 8, wherein each arm is joined to the tubular body by a flexible connecting element.

10. 10. An accessory according to claim 8 or claim 9, further comprising at least two rows of axially spaced arms.

11. 11. The accessory of claim 10, wherein the arms in one row are of a different length than the arms in another row.

12. An accessory according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the distally facing surface of each arm has a smooth surface.

13. An attachment according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the distally facing surface of each arm is formed with a pair of ribs extending from the base to the free end and a channel therebetween.

14. An accessory according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein at least a portion of the proximal facing surface of each arm is roughened.

15. 15. The accessory of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the proximal facing surface of each arm defines a plurality of protrusions or a plurality of cavities.

16. An attachment according to any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein the free end of each arm is formed with an enlarged tip.

17. 17. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the enlarged tip is curved.

Images