Endoscope lens cleaning and irrigation

Abstract

A device, system, and method for fluid supply for endoscopes. An expandable gas chamber presses against a saline chamber, enabling the supply of pressurized saline to both the lens cleaning line and the irrigation line. As the saline chamber becomes empty and its volume decreases, the gas chamber accepts more gas, increasing its volume and maintaining the fluid pressure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to valve assemblies and methods, and more particularly to fluid supply during endoscopy.

Background Art

[0002] For medical applications, such as endoscopic procedures, a wide variety of in-vivo medical devices and systems have been developed. Some of these devices and systems include guidewires, catheters, catheter systems, endoscopic instruments, and the like. These devices and systems are manufactured by any one of a variety of different manufacturing methods and can be used according to any one of a variety of methods. Each of the known medical devices, systems, and methods has certain advantages and disadvantages. There is still a need to provide alternative medical devices and systems, as well as alternative methods for manufacturing and using medical devices and systems.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] The present disclosure provides designs, materials, manufacturing methods, and use alternatives for medical devices and medical systems. In a first embodiment, a multi-chamber fluid container for a medical device includes a fluid chamber in fluid communication with a first fluid outlet and a second fluid outlet, and a gas chamber in mechanical contact with the fluid chamber, the gas chamber receiving gas and applying pressure to the fluid chamber to maintain the fluid pressure within the fluid chamber.

[0004] Instead of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the fluid chamber may be a bag including a flexible material, whereby the bag decreases in volume as fluid flows out of the first and second fluid outlets.

[0005] Alternatively, in addition to any of the above examples, the gas chamber may be a bag containing a flexible material, thereby increasing in volume as the gas chamber receives gas to pressurize the fluid chamber.

[0006] Alternatively, or in addition to any of the examples above, the gas chamber may further include a pole mount suitable for suspending the container from a conventional pole for intravenous fluid supply bags.

[0007] Alternatively, or in addition to any of the examples above, the gas chamber can be made fluidly communicable to the gas cartridge. Alternatively, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the fluid vessel further includes a rigid body housing a fluid chamber and a gas chamber, the rigid body defining a volume that does not expand or contract in response to the flow of fluid into or out of the chamber.

[0008] Alternatively, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the rigid body may include an openable portion for replacing the saline chamber. In place of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the fluid container may further include a saline source that is in fluid communication with the saline chamber.

[0009] Alternatively, in addition to any of the above examples, the saline source may be an intravenous saline supply bag configured to deliver saline infusion to a saline chamber.

[0010] In place of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, the fluid container may further include an air pump that communicates with the gas chamber. Alternatively, the air pump may be a user-operated bellows pump instead of, or in addition to, any of the examples above.

[0011] In addition to or instead of any of the examples above, a user-operated bellows pump may have a larger air capacity than the gas chamber. In place of, or in addition to, any of the examples above, the fluid chamber can contain physiological saline solution.

[0012] In another embodiment, the endoscopic surgical device includes an endoscopic probe having a lens cleaning fluid supply line and an irrigation supply line, and a fluid container according to any of the above examples, wherein a first fluid outlet supplies fluid to the lens cleaning fluid supply line, and a second fluid outlet supplies fluid to the irrigation supply line.

[0013] Alternatively, or in addition to any of the above examples, the device may further include a first valve, which is operated by the user to open a lens cleaning solution supply line, and a second valve, which is operated by the user to open an irrigation supply line.

[0014] These and other features and advantages of this disclosure will be readily apparent from the following detailed description, and the scope of the claimed invention is set forth in the attached claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of the components of an example endoscope is shown. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of the components of an exemplary endoscopic system is shown. [Figure 3] A cross-sectional side view of an exemplary multi-chamber bag is shown. [Figure 4] A cross-sectional side view of an exemplary multi-chamber bag is shown. [Figure 4A] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of the bag along the AA cutting line. [Figure 5] A cross-sectional side view of an exemplary multi-chamber container having a rigid body is shown. [Figure 6]A cross-sectional side view of an exemplary multi-chamber container having a rigid body is shown. [Figure 7] A schematic side view of an example system is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and constituting part thereof illustrate various embodiments and, together with the description, are useful in illustrating the principles of this disclosure. This disclosure is open to various modifications and alternative forms, the details of which are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, its intent is to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternative forms that fall within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0017] This disclosure is described below with reference to exemplary medical systems that may be used in endoscopic medical procedures. However, it should be noted that references to these specific procedures are provided for convenience only and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the concepts underlying the disclosed devices and associated uses may be utilized in any appropriate procedure, medical treatment, or otherwise. This disclosure can be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings, where similar elements are referenced by the same reference numerals.

[0018] All numerical values ​​herein are assumed to be modified by the term “approximately,” whether expressly indicated or not. In the context of numerical values, “approximately” generally refers to a range of numbers that a person skilled in the art would consider equivalent to (e.g., having the same function or result as) the cited value. Often, the term “approximately” may include numbers rounded to the nearest significant figure. Other uses of the term “approximately” (e.g., in non-numerical contexts) are assumed, unless otherwise specified, to be understood in the context of this specification and to have their usual customary definitions consistent with the context of this specification.

[0019] The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers within that range including the endpoints (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5). Although some appropriate dimensions, ranges and / or values for various components, features and / or specifications are disclosed, those skilled in the art cited by this disclosure will understand that the desired dimensions, ranges and / or values may deviate from those explicitly disclosed.

[0020] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally used in the sense of "and / or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. For ease of understanding, note that certain features of this disclosure may be described in the singular even though those features may be plural or repeated within the embodiment(s) in which they are disclosed. Each instance of a feature includes and / or may be encompassed by a singular disclosure unless explicitly stated otherwise. For purposes of simplification and clarity, not all elements of this disclosure are necessarily shown in each figure or discussed in detail below. However, it will be understood that the following description applies equally to any and / or all of two or more components unless explicitly stated otherwise. Further, for clarity, not all examples of some elements or features are shown in each figure.

[0021] References to "an embodiment", "some embodiments", "other embodiments", etc. in this specification indicate that the described embodiments may include certain features, structures, or characteristics, but not all embodiments necessarily include the specific features, structures, or characteristics. It should be noted that such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in relation to an embodiment, unless explicitly stated to the contrary or clearly opposed, it would be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to bring about the particular feature, structure, or characteristic in relation to other embodiments. That is, the various individual elements described below, even if not explicitly shown in a particular combination, are considered combinable or arrangeable with each other to form other additional embodiments or to complement and / or enhance the described embodiment(s) as understood by those skilled in the art.

[0022] For clarity, throughout the description and / or the claims, certain identifying numerical nomenclature (e.g., first, second, third, fourth, etc.) may be used to name and / or distinguish the features of the various descriptions and / or claims. It should be understood that the numerical nomenclature is not intended to be limiting and is for illustrative purposes only. In some embodiments, for the sake of brevity and clarity, changes and deviations from the previously used numerical nomenclature may be made. That is, a feature identified as the "first" element may later be referred to as the "second" element, the "third" element, etc., or may be completely omitted, and / or a different feature may be referred to as the "first" element. The meaning and / or name in each instance will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0023] The detailed description is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various elements described can be arranged in various combinations and configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The detailed description shows exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] Referring to Figure 1, an exemplary endoscope 100 is shown, and Figure 2 shows an exemplary endoscope system 200. The endoscope 100 may include an elongated tube or shaft 100a configured to be inserted into a subject (e.g., a patient).

[0025] The light source 205 of the endoscope system 200 can supply illumination light to the distal portion 100b of the endoscope 100. The distal portion 100b of the endoscope 100 may house an imaging device (e.g., a CCD or CMOS imaging device) (not shown). The light source 205 (e.g., a lamp) may be located within a video processing unit 210 that processes signals input from the imaging device and outputs the processed video signal to a video monitor (not shown) for viewing. The video processing unit 210 may also function as a component of an air / water supply circuit by housing a pressurizing pump 215, such as an air supply pump, within the unit 210.

[0026] The endoscope shaft 100a may include a distal tip 100c (e.g., a distal tip unit) located at the distal portion 100b of the shaft 100a, and a flexible bending section 105 located proximal to the distal tip 100c. The flexible bending section 105 may include an articulation joint (not shown) to assist in maneuvering the distal tip 100c. On the end face 100d of the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100, there is a gas / lens wash nozzle 220 for supplying gas to infuse air into the patient's body in the treatment area and for supplying water to clean the lens covering the imaging device. An irrigation opening 225 on the end face 100d supplies irrigation fluid to the patient's treatment site. Additionally, 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 through the treatment area may be included on the surface 100d of the distal tip 100c. The working channel 235 may extend along the shaft 100a to a proximal channel opening 110 located distal to the operating handle 115 of the endoscope 100 (e.g., the proximal handle). A biopsy valve 120 may be used to seal the channel opening 110 against the outflow of undesirable fluids.

[0027] The operating handle 115 may include knobs 125 for providing remote four-way steering of the distal tip via wires connected to articulated joints in a bendable flexible portion 105 (for example, one knob controls up-down steering, and another controls left-right steering). Multiple video switches 130 for remotely operating the video processing unit 210 may be located on the proximal end of the handle 115.

[0028] The handle 115 may be provided with a dual valve position 135. One of the valve positions 135 may receive a gas / water valve 140 for operating the injection gas and lens water supply operation. The gas supply line 240a and the lens cleaning fluid supply line 245a extend distally from the gas / water valve 140 along the shaft 100a and converge at a distal tip 100c proximal to the gas / cleaning fluid nozzle 220 (Figure 2).

[0029] Another valve position 135 may receive a suction valve 145 for operating the suction action. The suction supply line 250a may extend distally from the suction valve 145 along the shaft 100a to a junction that fluidly communicates with the working channel 235 of the endoscope 100.

[0030] The operating handle 115 may be electrically and fluidly connected to the video processing unit 210 via a flexible umbilical 260 and connector portion 265 extending between them. The flexible umbilical 260 has a gas (e.g., air or CO2) feed line 240b, a lens cleaning fluid feed line 245b, a suction feed line 250b, an irrigation feed line 255b, an optical guide (not shown), and an electrical signal cable (not shown). When the connector portion 265 is inserted into the video processing unit 210, it connects the light source 205 in the video processing unit to the optical guide. The optical guide extends along the length of the umbilical 260 and the endoscope shaft 100a, transmitting light to the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100. The connector section 265, when plugged into the video processing unit 210, also connects the air pump 215 to the gas supply line 260b inside the umbilical 240.

[0031] The water reservoir is fluidly connected to the endoscope 100 through the connector section 265 and the umbilical 260. The gas supply line 240b from the umbilical 260 branches at the connector section 265 to fluidly communicate with a gas supply pipe 240c of some length at a detachable gas / lens cleaning fluid connector 290, as well as with the air pump 215. The lens cleaning pipe 245c of some length extends to the same detachable connector 290 as the gas supply pipe 240c on the connector section 265. In other embodiments, the connections may be separate and / or separated from each other. The connector section 265 may also have a detachable irrigation connector 293 for an irrigation supply pipe extending from an irrigation water source to an irrigation supply line 255b in the umbilical 260. The connector section 265 may also include a detachable suction connector section 295 for a suction feed line 250b and a suction supply line 250a that fluidly connect a vacuum source (e.g., hospital suction) (not shown) to the umbilical 260 and endoscope 100.

[0032] The gas supply line 240b and the lens cleaning fluid supply line 245b may be fluidly connected to the valve position 135 of the gas / water valve 140, and the operation of the gas / water valve in the well may be configured to control the supply of gas or lens cleaning fluid to the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100. The suction supply line 250b is fluidly connected to the valve position 135 for the suction valve 145, and the operation of the suction valve 145 in the well may be configured to control the suction applied to the working channel 235 of the endoscope 100.

[0033] Both the lens cleaning solution delivery line and the irrigation delivery line can be supplied from the multi-chamber bag 300, as shown in Figure 3. A sealed saline bladder 302 acts as a water source for both delivery lines. Saline outlet tubes 304a and 304b are attached to the saline bladder 302 and can be secured by known fluid interfaces or can be formed integrally with the bladder 302. Saline outlet tube 304a connects to the lens cleaning solution delivery line 245b by any known tubular interface (not shown), which may also include a check valve or other mechanism to ensure that fluid from the delivery line 245b does not flow back into the saline bag 302. The multi-chamber bag 300 can be molded and configured similarly to that of an intravenous (IV) supply bag, so that an IV access spike or other compatible connector can be used.

[0034] Similarly, the saline outlet tube 304b connects to the irrigation supply line 255b to supply fluid, and this may also include one or more tube elements to ensure that the supply is unidirectional.

[0035] The pressurized gas bladder 306 presses against the saline bladder 302, maintaining the pressure required for both lens cleaning and irrigation functions. The gas inlet tube 308 supplies additional gas to the gas bladder 306 as needed to maintain pressure to the saline bladder 302. Any gas source, such as a pressurized CO2 cartridge or an indoor air pump, may be attached to the gas inlet tube 308. In some implementations, a replaceable tubing interface may be included to allow for quick replacement of the multi-chamber bag 300 as needed.

[0036] The multi-chamber bag 300 may include a pole mount 310 suitable for suspending it on a conventional pole used for IV supply bags, on a wall hook, or on a fixture provided together with other components of the endoscopic system.

[0037] Figures 4 and 4A show alternative embodiments of the multi-chamber bag 400, where the saline bladder 402 is surrounded on all sides by the gas chamber 406. Although shown as rotationally symmetrical, in some implementations of the multi-chamber bag 400, some parts of the gas chamber 406 may be thicker than others. The multi-chamber bag is attached as described above to the gas inlet tube 408, the lens cleaning solution outlet tube 404a, and the irrigation outlet tube 404b, and the pole mount 410 also allows the chamber to be hung on any suitable fixture.

[0038] Figure 5 shows a multi-chamber container 500 in which a saline bladder 502 and a gas bladder 506 are surrounded by a rigid body 510. The body 510 may be made of any suitable material such as rigid plastic or metal. Pressurized saline solution is supplied from the saline bladder 502 to the lens cleaning solution outlet tube 504a and the irrigation supply line 504b, respectively, while gas is supplied to the gas bladder 504 through the gas supply line 508 to ensure that sufficient pressure is applied to the saline bladder 502. In some implementations, the shape of the gas bladder 504 may be selected in relation to the size and shape of the rigid body 510 in which it will be set.

[0039] In some implementations, the multi-chamber container 500 may be single-use so that it is disposed of when the saline bladder 502 is empty or when a particular procedure is completed. The rigid body 510 may then be permanently fastened or sealed, packaged, and shipped with a saline supply inside.

[0040] In other implementations, the multi-chamber container 500 may be designed for repeated use, for example, if the rigid body 502 is made of a more durable material such as metal. Figure 6 shows a multi-chamber container 500a having all the components described above for the multi-chamber container 500, but the upper part 512 of the rigid body 510 is openable for replacement of the saline bladder 502 inside. The gas bladder 504 may also be removable, or the gas bladder 504 may be permanently or semi-permanently attached to the rigid body 510 and not intended to be replaced when the saline bladder 502 is replaced.

[0041] Figure 7 shows another implementation using a drip chamber in conjunction with a user-operated pump. The drip chamber 700 includes a saline chamber 702 supplied by a saline source 704. The saline source 704 may be a conventional IV saline bag and may be supplied into the saline chamber 702 using an IV spike and a conventional IV infusion line.

[0042] A foot-operated bellows pump 706 pushes air into the gas chamber 708, which in turn pushes pressurized saline out of the saline chamber 702 via the outlet 710. As described above, the outlet 710 may include tubing for both the lens cleaning fluid supply line and the irrigation supply line. When the pump 706 is released, air is forced back out of the gas chamber 708. This may be due to the elastic material of the chamber 708, a spring mechanism included in the device, or suction resulting from the release of the pump 706.

[0043] In some implementations, the pump 706 may be configured to move a volume of air greater than the volume of the chamber 700 in a single operation to push out all or substantially all of the saline solution from the drip chamber 700 during each operation of the pump 706. Depending on the mechanism, check valves may be included in the gas inlet pipe 712 between the pump 706 and the gas chamber 708, the saline inlet pipe 714 between the saline source 704 and the saline chamber 702, and in the pipes in the outlet 710. Saline solution from the supply source 702 refills the saline chamber 704 after each use.

[0044] It should be understood that this disclosure is illustrative in many respects. Modifications can be made in detail, particularly with respect to shape, size, and step arrangement, without exceeding the scope of this disclosure. This includes, to a reasonable extent, using any feature of one exemplary embodiment in other embodiments. The scope of the invention is, needless to say, defined by the wording of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-chamber fluid container for medical devices, wherein the fluid container is A fluid chamber that is in fluid communication with a first fluid outlet and a second fluid outlet, A gas chamber that is in mechanical contact with the fluid chamber, and which receives gas to apply pressure to the fluid chamber in order to maintain the fluid pressure in the fluid chamber, A fluid container equipped with the following features.

2. The fluid container according to claim 1, wherein the fluid chamber is a bag containing a flexible material, and as a result, when fluid flows out from the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet, the volume of the bag decreases.

3. The fluid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas chamber is a bag containing a flexible material, and the volume of the bag increases when the gas chamber receives gas to pressurize the fluid chamber.

4. A fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a pole mount suitable for suspending the container from a conventional pole for an intravenous fluid supply bag.

5. The fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gas chamber is in fluid communication with the gas cartridge.

6. The fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a rigid body housing the fluid chamber and the gas chamber, wherein the rigid body defines a volume that does not expand or contract in response to the flow of fluid into or out of the chamber.

7. The fluid container according to claim 6, wherein the rigid body includes an openable portion for replacing the saline chamber.

8. The fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a saline source that is in fluid communication with the saline chamber.

9. The fluid container according to claim 8, wherein the saline source is an intravenous saline supply bag configured to supply saline infusion to the saline chamber.

10. The fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an air pump that is in fluid communication with the gas chamber.

11. The fluid container according to claim 10, wherein the air pump is a user-operated bellows pump.

12. The fluid container according to claim 11, wherein the user-operated bellows pump has a larger air capacity than the gas chamber.

13. The fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the fluid chamber contains physiological saline solution.

14. An endoscopic surgical device, wherein the endoscopic surgical device is An endoscope probe having a lens cleaning solution supply line and an irrigation supply line, A fluid container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first fluid outlet supplies fluid to the lens cleaning solution supply line, and the second fluid outlet supplies fluid to the irrigation supply line, An endoscopic surgical device equipped with [a specific feature].

15. The device according to claim 14, further comprising a first valve operated by the user to open the lens cleaning solution supply line, and a second valve operated by the user to open the irrigation supply line.

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