Tip of the device

Abstract

To provide an endoscope tip for positioning an endoscope device.SOLUTION: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a device includes a shaft having a distal end, and a tip at the distal end of the shaft. The tip includes an opening defined by a surface of the tip. An instrument inserted through the shaft extends distally out of the opening. The device also includes an elevator for engaging the instrument. The elevator includes a proximal end fixed relative to the surface of the tip, a proximal portion extending distally from the proximal end, and a distal portion extending distally from the proximal portion. A force exerted on the elevator bends the proximal portion to deflect the distal portion without bending the distal portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tip for an apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to an endoscope tip for positioning an endoscope instrument.

Background Art

[0002] Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a technique for treating patients with pancreaticobiliary diseases. In some cases, ERCP is performed using a side-view endoscope. The tip of the side-view endoscope includes a side-view optical system, an optical lens cleaning system, a side-view light source, a side-out working channel, and a lifting assembly for lifting an instrument extending outside the side-out working channel. With the above features, when cannulating the patient's papilla with an instrument for diagnosis or treatment to access the target site of the patient's pancreas, it is possible to assist the device user. However, since the lifting assembly has a complex configuration including a plurality of components, it is costly to manufacture and maintain (for example, cleaning and repair). By improving the complex configuration of the lifting assembly, it may be possible to reduce the overall cost associated with the use of the endoscope. Also, if the overall cost can be kept within a certain amount, it may be possible to use the endoscope as a disposable item. By using the endoscope only once before discarding it, it is possible to reduce the costs and time associated with maintaining the endoscope, and there is a possibility of improving the prognosis by eliminating the risk of exposing the patient to infection due to improper cleaning of the endoscope.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention particularly relates to a tip for an apparatus. Each of the aspects described herein can include one or more elements described in relation to one or more other optional aspects that are disclosed. In one aspect of the present invention, the device comprises a shaft having a distal end and a tip at the distal end of the shaft. The tip comprises an opening formed in the surface of the tip. An instrument inserted through the shaft extends distally outside the opening. The device also comprises a lifting part that engages with the instrument. The lifting part comprises a proximal end fixed to the surface of the tip, a proximal part extending distally from the proximal end, and a distal part extending distally from the proximal part. By the force applied to the lifting part, the proximal part can be curved to bias the distal part without curving the distal part.

[0004] In another aspect of the present invention, the device comprises one or more of the following elements. The distal part has a larger cross-sectional area than the proximal part. The distal part has a greater thickness in the anterior-posterior direction than the proximal part, where the anterior-posterior direction is a direction orthogonal to the proximal-distal direction. The tip may be composed of a single material. The lifting part may be composed of a single material. The outer surface of the lifting part and the surface of the tip are part of a continuous surface. The outer surface of the distal part of the lifting part is continuous with the outer surface of the proximal part of the lifting part. The proximal part has a substantially linear rest configuration and a curved configuration. When the proximal part transitions from the rest configuration to the curved configuration, the proximal part moves the distal part along an arcuate path in the anterior and proximal directions.

[0005] In another aspect of the present invention, the device comprises a shaft having a distal end. The device comprises a tip at the distal end of the shaft. The tip comprises an instrument opening. An instrument inserted through the shaft extends distally outside the instrument opening. The tip comprises a lifting part that engages with the instrument when the instrument extends distally outside the instrument opening. The lifting part comprises a passage extending therethrough. The device comprises a control wire connected to the lifting part. The lifting part is biased by a pulling force applied in the proximal direction to the control wire. The device comprises a first control wire opening and a second control wire opening. A first portion of the control wire extends from the first control wire opening to the passage. A second portion of the control wire extends from the second control wire opening to the passage. A third portion of the control wire extends through the passage to connect the first portion of the control wire to the second portion of the control wire.

[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, the device comprises one or more of the following features. It is a handle at the proximal end of the shaft. The handle comprises a drive mechanism that applies a pulling force in the proximal direction to the control wire. The drive mechanism is operably connected to the first part and the second part of the control wire and can apply a pulling force in the proximal direction to the first part and the second part of the control wire simultaneously. The elevating part comprises opposing side surfaces. At least one of the side surfaces comprises a channel for receiving at least a part of the control wire. The opening in the passage is within the channel. The distal end comprises side walls on the opposing side surfaces of the elevating part. At least one of the side walls comprises a channel for receiving at least a part of the control wire. The distal end is a member and is a single polymeric component.

[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, the device comprises a shaft having a distal end. The device also comprises a distal end at the distal end of the shaft. The distal end comprises an elevating part. An instrument inserted through the shaft extends in the distal direction and engages the elevating part. The device comprises a drive device that can bias the elevating part. The elevating part comprises a proximal part having a proximal end fixed to the shaft. The elevating part also comprises a distal part extending distally from the proximal part. Since the proximal part has a smaller cross-sectional area than the distal part, the force applied to the elevating part can bend the proximal part and bias the distal part. The elevating part is formed of a single, continuous member.

[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, the device comprises one or more of the following elements. The single, continuous member is a continuous member made of an injection-molded polymer. Since the proximal part comprises one or more recesses, the proximal part has one or more thin parts and one or more thick parts, and can facilitate bending of the proximal part along the one or more thin parts. The distal end comprises at least one part connected to the single, continuous member. The at least one part can be formed of a material that is more rigid than the single, continuous member. The drive device comprises a control wire connected to the elevating part.

[0009] Note that the above general description and the following detailed description are illustrative and explanatory only, and do not limit the invention according to the claims. The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, and together with the detailed description, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and explain the essence of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] The present invention relates to a distal end for an apparatus, and more particularly to a distal end of an endoscope for positioning an endoscopic instrument. Aspects of the present invention will be described in detail below, and embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used in multiple drawings when describing the same or similar components. The term "distal" refers to the part that is farthest from the device user when the instrument is introduced into the patient's body. In contrast, the term "proximal" refers to the part that is closest to the device user when the instrument is placed in the patient's body. The terms "front" and "rear" refer to directions or regions that extend orthogonally to the proximal and distal directions. The following description is about "endoscope" or "endoscopic observation", but the essence or aspects of this specification can be used with any suitable introduction sheath or device even if the introduction sheath or device does not have one or more features generally related to an "endoscope". The following general description and detailed description are illustrative and merely explanatory, and do not limit the features described in the claims. In addition, as used in this specification, the terms "comprises", "comprising", or their variants are such that a process, method, member, or device consisting of a series of elements does not necessarily include only such elements, but can also include another element not specified, or another element essential to such a process, method, member, or device, intending to cover non-exclusive inclusion. Also, the term "exemplary" is used in the sense of "example" rather than "best".

[0012] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 100 for positioning an instrument 102. The apparatus 100 may be any type of endoscope such as a duodenoscope. The instrument 102 includes suitable instruments such as, for example, a guide wire, cutting or grasping forceps, a biopsy device, a snare loop, an injection needle, a cutting blade, scissors, a retrievable basket, a recovery device, an ablation or electrophysiology catheter, a stent placement device, a surgical stapler device, a balloon catheter, a laser irradiation device, etc. In one example, the apparatus 100 facilitates cannulating the patient's papilla during ERCP and placing the instrument 102 therein.

[0013] Device 100 includes a shaft 104. The shaft 104 includes a tube 106 that is inserted through and into the tortuous biological structure of the patient to the target site within the patient's body and has sufficient flexibility to be bent, rotated, or twisted. The shaft 104 includes one or more lumens (not shown) that extend through the shaft. The lumens include, for example, a control wire lumen for receiving one or more control wires, a working lumen for receiving an instrument 102, a fluid lumen for transporting fluid, a lighting lumen for receiving at least a portion of a lighting assembly (not shown), and an imaging lumen for receiving at least a portion of an imaging assembly (not shown).

[0014] Device 100 also includes a tip 108 at the distal end of the shaft 104. The tip 108 is attached to the distal end of the shaft 104. For example, the tip 108 is a cap configured to receive the distal end of the shaft 104. The tip 108 may include one or more openings that communicate with the lumen of the shaft 104. For example, the tip 108 may include control wire openings 110, 112 through which one or more control wires pass when exiting the control wire lumen of the shaft 104, a working opening 114 through which the instrument 102 passes when exiting the working lumen of the shaft 104, a fluid opening or fluid nozzle 116 through which fluid passes when exiting the fluid lumen of the shaft 104, a lighting opening or lighting window 118 through which light is emitted, and an imaging opening or imaging window 120 that receives light used by an imaging device to form an image. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the lighting opening 118 may include a light emitting portion (e.g., a light emitting diode, etc.) connected to a cable or wire that extends through the lighting lumen of the shaft 104, and the imaging opening 120 may include an imaging device (e.g., a CCD image sensor, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor image semiconductor, etc.) connected to a cable or wire that extends through the imaging lumen of the shaft 104.

[0015] The control wire openings 110, 112 are on the face 124 facing distally to the distal end 108. The working opening 114 is on the face 126 facing distally to the distal end 108. The face 126 facing distally is in a position recessed in the proximal direction from the face 124 facing distally. The illumination opening 118 and the imaging opening 120 are on the face 128 facing forward. The fluid opening 116 is on the face 124 facing distally and opens towards the illumination opening 118 and the imaging opening 120 to flow a cleaning liquid across the illumination opening 118 and the imaging opening 120, for example, to wash away body fluids or debris.

[0016] The working opening 114 opens into the cavity 130 of the distal end 108. The cavity 130 is formed by the face 126 facing distally to the distal end of the elevating part 140, the side walls 132, 134 facing laterally, the face 136 facing rearward, and the face 138 facing forward. The instrument 102 extends distally out of the outside of the working opening 114 into the cavity 130 and is arranged to engage with the face 138 facing forward of the elevating part 140. The face 138 facing forward of the elevating part 140 includes, for example, a recess 168 (e.g., a slot, a groove, a cavity, etc.) formed inside. The recess 168 can receive at least a part of the instrument 102 and exert a holding force or a gripping force on the instrument 102.

[0017] The elevating part 140 is formed in a cantilever shape and has a proximal end 142 fixed to the face 126 facing distally and a free distal end 144. The elevating part 140 includes a proximal part 146 and a distal part 148. The proximal part 146 is thinner than the distal part 148 to make the proximal part 146 easier to bend. This is because, due to its thickness, the distal part 148 is stiffer than the proximal part 146. In some examples, the proximal part 146 is curved, but the distal part 148 is maintained in a non-curved state.

[0018] The proximal portion 146 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape to facilitate bending along the anterior-posterior direction. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the proximal portion 146 (along the proximal-distal direction) is greater than the width of the proximal portion 146 (along the lateral direction orthogonal to the proximal-distal direction), and the width of the proximal portion 146 is greater than the height / thickness of the proximal portion 146 (along the anterior-posterior direction). Additionally or alternatively, the proximal portion 146 has a substantially constant thickness from the face 126 facing distally to the proximal end of the distal portion 148, but at the proximal end of the distal portion, the elevating portion 140 may have a sudden increase in thickness. The anterior-facing surface 138 has an angle (e.g., is inclined) with respect to the proximal portion 146 to facilitate engagement between the anterior-facing surface 138 and the instrument 102. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the posterior-facing surface of the proximal portion 146 and the anterior-facing surface of the proximal portion 146 are substantially planar or substantially orthogonal to one or more of the laterally-facing sidewalls 132, 134.

[0019] The proximal portion 146 functions as a living hinge that enables the distal portion 148 of the elevating portion 140 to be movable relative to the other parts of the tip 108. When the proximal portion 146 curves, the distal portion 148 moves along an arcuate path covering a certain distance in the proximal-distal direction and the anterior-posterior direction. In some examples, the elevating portion 140 is integral with the other parts of the tip 108. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the tip 108 is a single, unitary, injection-molded component. The tip 108 may be formed of a polymeric material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or other suitable polymers. To form the tip member 108 as a single member with the same material throughput, the tip member 108 may be formed of other suitable processes and suitable materials.

[0020] The distal portion 148 may be thicker than the proximal portion 146 to provide a site for the passage 150. The thickness of the distal portion 148 is such that the bending of the elevating portion 140 is limited to the proximal portion 146 to ensure that the distal portion 148 does not bend. The passage 150 may be a through-hole extending between the opposing side-facing surfaces 152, 154 of the elevating portion 140. The passage 150 receives the control wire 122. For example, a first portion 156 of the control wire 122 extends distally from the control wire opening 110 to the side-facing surface 152 and the passage 150 (see FIG. 3). A second portion 158 of the control wire 122 extends distally from the control wire opening 112 to the side-facing surface 154 and the passage 150. A third portion (not shown) of the control wire 122 extends through the passage 150. The first portion 156, the second portion 158, and the third portion of the control wire 122 form a U-shaped region of the control wire 122.

[0021] Channels 160, 162, 164, 166 are provided in the side wall 132, the side-facing surface 152, the side-facing surface 154, and the side wall 134 to receive a portion of the control wire 122. The portion of the control wire 122 that is received slides along the channels 160, 166 when the control wire 122 is retracted into or extended out of the control wire openings 110, 112. In the example shown in the figure, the passage 150 opens into the channels 162, 164. The control wire 122 is threaded through the passage 150 by biasing the elevating portion 140 rearward to expose the passage 150 from behind the side walls 132, 134, inserting the control wire 122 through the passage 150, aligning the control wire 122 with the channels 160, 162, 164, 166, and inserting the control wire 122 into the control wire openings 110, 112.

[0022] By pulling one or both of the first portion 156 and the second portion 158 of the control wire 122, the user can retract the control wire 122 into the control wire openings 110, 112. Due to this retraction, the proximal portion 146 of the elevating part 140 is curved as the distal portion 148 of the elevating part 140 is pulled toward the surface 124 facing distally. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the tip 108 when the elevating part 140 is in a stationary state, and FIG. 5 shows the tip 108 when a force is applied to the distal portion 148 of the elevating part 140 by the control wire 122 and the proximal portion 146 of the elevating part 140 is curved. Pulling both the first portion 156 and the second portion 158 on both sides of the elevating part 140 causes the elevating part 140 to be surely pulled toward the surface 124 facing distally with little or no twisting or torque applied, and the instrument 102 is surely placed at the desired site.

[0023] The instrument 102 can be held in the recess 168 of the distal portion 148 as the distal portion 148 is drawn toward the facing surface 124. When the distal portion 148 is biased, the distal portion 148 biases the instrument 102 and adjusts the position of the instrument 102. The instrument 102 extends out of or retracts into or rotates (twists) about the working lumen or the working opening 114 of the shaft 104 before, during, or after being biased by the distal portion 148. Continuing to pull the control wire 122 can cause the distal portion 148 to hold the instrument 102 stationary relative to the protrusion 170 on the facing surface 124. Thereby, the instrument 102 can be locked in place relative to the tip 108. When locked, the instrument 102 is prevented from extending, retracting, or rotating, or these actions are disabled. In one example, the protrusion 170 has a shape complementary to the shape of the recess 168 to facilitate holding or locking the instrument 102 between the protrusion 170 and the distal portion 148. For example, the protrusion 170 has a wedge shape. When the user stops pulling or extends the control wire 122 in the distal direction, the proximal portion 146 tends to transition essentially to a non-curved shape, so the distal portion 148 returns in a direction away from the facing surface 124 and toward the posture shown in FIGS. 2-4. Thereby, the instrument 102 is unlocked.

[0024] The device 100 includes a handle 172 coupled to the proximal end of the shaft 104. The handle 172 can include one or more lumens (not shown) that communicate with the lumen of the shaft 104. The handle 172 can also include one or more ports that open into one or more lumens of the handle 172. For example, the instrument 102 is inserted into the port 174 in front of the working lumen of the shaft 104. In one example, the handle 172 includes a cable 176. The cable 176 connects the device 100 to one or more external systems (not shown). The cable 176 can connect the handle 172 to, for example, a fluid supply, a light source, an imaging processor, a display, etc.

[0025] The handle 172 may also include a drive mechanism 178. The drive mechanism 178 includes one or more knobs, buttons, levers, switches, or other suitable drive devices for controlling at least one of the biasing of the shaft 104, the conveyance of fluid, the irradiation of illumination, and the imaging function. In one example, the drive mechanism 178 may be operably connected to the proximal portion of a control wire 122 that extends proximally into the handle 172 from the control wire openings 110, 112. The device user may selectively apply at least one of a pulling force and a pushing force to the control wire 122 to operate the drive mechanism 178 to adjust the position of the lifting unit 140 and thereby adjust the position of the instrument 102.

[0026] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the distal end portion 108'. The distal end portion 108' is similar to the distal end portion 108 except that the distal end portion 108' is formed of separate components and connected together at a connecting portion 109'. In one example, the distal end portion 108' on the first side of the connecting portion 109' is a single, unitary component, while the distal end portion 108' on the second side of the connecting portion 109' is another single, unitary component. By forming the components separately and then connecting them, one material can be used for one component and another material (having different properties) can be used for the other component. For example, to make the lifting unit more flexible, the component on the left side of the connecting portion 109' can be formed of a material that is more flexible than the material used to form the component on the right side of the connecting portion 109'.

[0027] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the components on the left side of the coupling portion 109' include a lifting portion, a working opening, a control wire opening, a distal-facing surface, a side-facing side wall, and a rear-facing surface, similar to those at the tip portion 108. The components on the right side of the connection portion 109' include a fluid opening, a side-facing side wall, a front-facing surface, an imaging opening, and an illumination opening, similar to those at the tip portion 108. However, it should be understood that the coupling portion 109' can separate the tip portion 108' in any other suitable way. The coupling portion 109' may be along a straight line crossing the tip portion 108', or may be considered to have one or more curved portions or corners when crossing the tip portion 108'. The coupling portion 109' is considered capable of dividing the tip portion 108' into a plurality of components.

[0028] FIGS. 7A and 7B show another embodiment 146' of the proximal portion of the lifting portion. The proximal portion 146' may include one or more elements on the proximal portion 146' to accurately adjust the curvature of the proximal portion 146'. In one example, the proximal portion 146' may include a cutout or recess 147' (e.g., notch, groove, slot, hole, etc.) by forming a thinner portion of the proximal portion 146' to make it more prone to bending. Additionally or alternatively, the proximal portion 146' may include a protrusion (e.g., ridge, spine, etc.) (not shown) by forming a thick portion of the proximal portion 146' to limit the curvature. The cutout, recess, or protrusion may be on the rear-facing surface of the proximal portion 146', the front-facing surface of the proximal portion 146', or one or more side-facing surfaces of the proximal portion 146'.

[0029] FIGS. 8A and 8B show another embodiment of the lifting portion 140' having a plurality of recesses 168', 169'. The recesses 168', 169' may have different properties. For example, one of the recesses 168', 169' may be wider, deeper, or longer than the other. The recess 168' may be sized to hold a larger instrument, and the recess 169' may be sized to hold a smaller instrument.

[0030] Those skilled in the art can understand that various changes and variations are possible in the disclosed systems and methods without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, those skilled in the art can understand another aspect of the present disclosure by implementing the features described in this specification in consideration of this specification. Therefore, this specification and the examples are merely illustrative. (Appendix 1) A shaft having a distal end, In an apparatus comprising a tip portion disposed at the distal end of the shaft, the tip portion A first channel disposed along the surface of the tip portion, An opening formed in the surface of the tip portion, and an instrument inserted through the shaft extending distally outside the opening, A lifting and lowering portion engaging with the instrument, and the lifting and lowering portion A proximal end fixed to the surface of the tip portion, A proximal portion extending distally from the proximal end, A distal portion extending distally from the proximal portion and having a width defined between opposite side walls, A second channel disposed along at least one of the opposite side walls of the distal portion, A passage extending through the width of the distal portion, and When the lifting and lowering portion is in a lowered position, the control wire is received inside the first channel, the second channel, and the passage, and the force applied to the lifting and lowering portion curves the proximal portion and biases the distal portion into an elevated position without curving the distal portion. When the lifting and lowering portion moves to the elevated position, the control wire slides along the first channel while being held inside the second channel and the passage. (Appendix 2) The apparatus according to Appendix 1, wherein the distal portion has a larger cross-sectional area than the proximal portion. (Appendix 3) The distal part is thicker than the proximal part along the front-rear direction, and the front-rear direction is orthogonal to the proximal-distal direction. The device according to Appendix 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) The tip is composed of a single material. The device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) The lifting part is composed of a single material. The device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4. (Appendix 6) The outer surface of the lifting part and the surface of the tip are part of a continuous surface. The device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5. (Appendix 7) The outer surface of the distal part of the lifting part is continuous with the outer surface of the proximal part of the lifting part. The device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) The proximal part has a linear stationary form when the lifting part is in the lowered position and a curved form when the lifting part is in the raised position. When the proximal part transitions from the stationary form to the curved form, the distal part moves along an arched path in the forward and proximal directions. The device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7. (Appendix 9) A shaft having a distal end, In a device comprising a tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft, the tip An instrument opening, and an instrument inserted through the shaft extends distally outside the instrument opening; A pair of first channels disposed on opposite surfaces of the tip; A lifting part that engages with the instrument when the instrument extends distally outside the instrument opening, the lifting part having a pair of second channels, and a passage extending through the interior of the lifting part and disposed between the pair of second channels; A control wire connected to the lifting part, and a force pulling in the proximal direction applied to the control wire biases the lifting part; a first control wire opening, a second control wire opening, a first portion of the control wire extending from the first control wire opening to one of the pair of first channels, one of the pair of second channels, and the passageway, a second portion of the control wire extending from the second control wire opening to the other of the pair of first channels, the other of the pair of second channels, and the passageway, and a third portion of the control wire extending through the passageway to connect the first portion of the control wire to the second portion of the control wire. The first portion of the control wire is received inside one of the pair of first channels, one of the pair of second channels, and the passageway when the elevating part is in the lowered position, and when the elevating part moves to the raised position, the first portion of the control wire slides along one of the pair of first channels while being held inside one of the pair of second channels and the passageway. (Appendix 10) The apparatus according to Appendix 9, further comprising a handle at the proximal end of the shaft, the handle comprising a drive mechanism for applying a proximal force to the control wire, the drive mechanism being operably connected to the first portion of the control wire and the second portion of the control wire to simultaneously apply a pulling force in the proximal direction to the first portion and the second portion of the control wire. (Appendix 11) The apparatus according to Appendix 9 or 10, wherein the elevating part has opposing side surfaces, and at least one of the side surfaces comprises at least one of the pair of second channels for receiving at least the second portion of the control wire. (Appendix 12) The apparatus according to Appendix 11, wherein at least one opening in the passageway is in each of the pair of second channels. (Appendix 13) The apparatus according to any one of Appendices 9 to 12, wherein the tip portion has side walls on opposing side portions of the elevating part. (Appendix 14) The device according to appended claim 13, wherein at least one of the side walls comprises at least one of the pair of first channels for receiving at least a first portion of the control wire. (Appended claim 15) The device according to any one of appended claims 9 to 14, wherein the tip portion is a single member and is a single polymeric component. (Appended claim 16) A shaft, A distal tip portion, wherein the distal tip portion A first channel provided on the inner wall of the distal tip portion, and A lifting portion configured to move between a first position and a second position, the lifting portion A second channel provided on the outer wall of the lifting portion, and A third channel provided inside the lifting portion, A distal tip portion, Comprising, The first channel, the second channel and the third channel are each configured to receive at least a part of the control wire when the lifting portion is in the first position, and when the lifting portion moves to the second position, the control wire moves out of the first channel and is configured to be maintained within the second channel and the third channel. Device. (Appended claim 17) The distal tip portion comprises an opening for receiving the instrument such that the instrument inserted into the shaft extends distally out of the distal tip portion. The device according to appended claim 16, wherein the lifting portion is configured such that when the control wire moves out of the first channel and the lifting portion moves to the second position, the instrument is biased with respect to the distal tip portion. (Appended claim 18) The lifting portion A proximal portion fixed to the inner wall, A distal portion that is movable relative to the proximal portion and has a width defined between the inner wall and the opposing side wall of the elevating portion, and the device according to appended claim 16. (Appended claim 19) The third channel has a longitudinal length shorter than the width of the distal portion, and the third channel is surrounded by the distal portion, the device according to appended claim 18. (Appended claim 20) When moving from the first posture to the second posture, the elevating portion is configured to curve at a portion intermediate the proximal portion and the distal portion without curving the proximal portion and the distal portion, the device according to appended claim 18. (Appended claim 21) The elevating portion includes an opening provided in the outer wall and within the second channel, and the third channel opens into the second channel at the opening so as to enable entry from the outer wall into the third channel, the device according to appended claim 16. (Appended claim 22) The elevating portion includes a second opening provided in a second outer wall facing the outer wall, and the third channel opens into the second opening so as to enable entry from the second outer wall into the third channel, the device according to appended claim 21. (Appended claim 23) The control wire received within the second channel extends through the opening into the third channel and exits the third channel at the second opening, the device according to appended claim 22. (Appended claim 24) A shaft, A distal tip, and the distal tip A first channel extending along the inner surface of the distal tip, and An elevating portion configured to move between a lowered posture and a raised posture, and the elevating portion A second channel extending along the outer surface of the elevating portion, and A third channel extending through the elevating portion, a distal tip, comprising, when the elevating part is in the lowered position, the first channel is configured to receive a first portion of the control wire, the second channel is configured to receive a second portion of the control wire, and the third channel is configured to receive a third portion of the control wire; when the elevating part is in the raised position, the first channel is configured such that the first portion of the control wire is guided outside the first channel, the second channel is configured to maintain the second portion of the control wire within the second channel, and the third channel is configured to maintain the third portion of the control wire within the third channel; a device. (Appendix 25) The device according to Appendix 24, wherein the first channel opens into the inner surface of the distal tip, the second channel opens into the outer surface of the elevating part, and the third channel is surrounded within the elevating part. (Appendix 26) The device according to Appendix 24, wherein the elevating part is configured to move in response to the control wire moving proximally relative to the shaft, and an instrument inserted into the shaft and received by the elevating part is deflected when the elevating part moves from the lowered position to the raised position. (Appendix 27) The device according to Appendix 26, wherein the distal tip includes a first opening and a second opening, the first opening and the second opening are each provided on an outer surface of the distal tip, and the size of the first opening is larger than the second opening. (Appendix 28) The device according to Appendix 27, wherein the first opening is configured to receive the instrument from the shaft, and the second opening is configured to receive the first portion of the control wire from the shaft. (Appendix 29) The apparatus according to appended note 24, wherein the first channel is configured such that when the elevating part moves from the lowered position to the raised position, the first part of the control wire moves radially outward from the first channel. (Appended note 30) The apparatus according to appended note 29, wherein the first channel is configured such that when the elevating part moves from the raised position to the lowered position, the first part of the control wire moves radially inward into the first channel. (Appended note 31) A shaft and a distal tip, wherein the shaft is configured to receive a control wire extending outward distally from the distal tip, and the distal tip has a first channel disposed on both opposed inner surfaces of the distal tip, and an elevating part disposed between the opposed inner surfaces of the distal tip, the elevating part having second channels on both opposed outer surfaces thereof. The first channel and the second channel receive the control wire when the elevating part is not biased against the opposed inner surfaces, and when the elevating part is biased against the inner surfaces, the first channel releases the control wire, the control wire moves out of the first channel, and is maintained within the second channel. Apparatus. (Appended note 32) The apparatus according to appended note 31, wherein the first channel is configured such that when the control wire moves proximally relative to the shaft to bias the elevating part, the control wire exits from the first channel. (Appended note 33) The apparatus according to appended note 31, wherein the first channel has an arc length defining a semi-circular shape along both opposed inner surfaces of the distal tip. (Appended note 34) The apparatus according to appended note 31, wherein the second channel has an arc length defining a semi-circular shape along both opposed outer surfaces of the elevating part. (Appended note 35) Since the opposite inner surfaces of the distal tip portion at least partially define the opening of the shaft at the distal tip portion, the opening is located between the opposite inner surfaces, The apparatus according to appended claim 31, wherein the elevating portion is arranged in the distal direction from the opening such that the opposite outer surfaces of the elevating portion are not arranged between the opposite inner surfaces.

Claims

1. A shaft, a distal tip including an inner wall and a first channel disposed in the inner wall; an elevation portion including an outer wall, a proximal portion fixed relative to the inner wall of the distal tip, a distal portion movable relative to the proximal portion, and a second channel in the outer wall; When the elevator section moves to a first position, the first channel and the second channel are each configured to receive a portion of a control wire, and when the elevator section moves to a second position, the control wire is configured to move outward from the first channel and be maintained inwardly of the second channel; when the lift section moves from the first position to the second position, the proximal section bends relative to the distal section; the distal tip has a distally facing surface defining a first control wire opening and a second control wire opening; a first portion of the control wire extends from the first control wire opening, a second portion of the control wire extends from the second control wire opening, and a third portion of the control wire extends between the first and second portions at the distal portion of the lift section.

2. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft is configured to receive an instrument extending distally outward from the distal tip, and the elevator is configured to bias the instrument against the distal tip when moving from the first position to the second position, thereby moving the control wire outward from the first channel.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal portion has a width defined between the outer wall of the lifting portion and an opposing outer wall.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the lift portion comprises an opening located within the second channel and a passageway extending across the width of the distal portion and terminating at the opening.

5. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the elevator section includes a second opening located in an opposing outer wall of the elevator section, the passage terminating at the second opening.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the control wire received in the second channel enters the passage at the opening and exits the passage at the second opening.

7. The device of claim 4 , wherein the passage has a length that is less than the width of the distal portion.

8. A shaft, a distal tip including an inner surface and a first channel extending along the inner surface; an elevation portion including an outer surface, a proximal portion fixed relative to the inner surface of the distal tip, a distal portion movable relative to the proximal portion, and a second channel extending along the outer surface; When the lifting section moves to a lower position, the first channel and the second channel are each configured to receive a portion of a control wire, and when the lifting section moves to an upper position, the control wire is guided outwardly of the first channel and maintained inwardly of the second channel; the proximal portion curves relative to the distal portion when the lift portion moves from the lower position to the upper position; the distal tip has a distally facing surface defining a first control wire opening and a second control wire opening; a first portion of the control wire extends from the first control wire opening, a second portion of the control wire extends from the second control wire opening, and a third portion of the control wire extends between the first and second portions at the distal portion of the lift section.

9. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the first channel is at least partially open along the inner surface of the distal tip to receive the control wire, and the second channel is at least partially open to the outer surface of the lift portion to receive the control wire.

10. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the control wire is configured to move the elevator to the upper position in response to the control wire moving in a proximal direction relative to the distal tip, such that an instrument received in the elevator is biased against the distal tip.

11. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the control wire is configured to move the elevator to the lower position in response to the control wire moving distally relative to the distal tip, such that an instrument received in the elevator is longitudinally aligned with the distal tip.

12. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein when the lifting portion moves from the lower position to the upper position, the control wire exits the first channel, and when the lifting portion moves from the upper position to the lower position, the control wire enters the first channel.

13. The device described in claim 8, wherein the distal portion of the lifting portion has a recess, and the surface of the distal tip facing in the distal direction has a protrusion that is complementary to the recess of the lifting portion, and the protrusion is configured to face the distal portion of the lifting portion when in the upper position.

14. The device described in claim 13, wherein the protrusion is located between the first control wire opening and the second control wire opening.

15. The device of claim 8, wherein the first, second and third portions of the control wire combine to form a U-shape.

16. A shaft, a distal tip including an inner surface and a first channel disposed in the inner surface; an elevation portion including an outer surface, a proximal portion fixed to the inner surface of the distal tip, a distal portion movable relative to the proximal portion, and a second channel disposed in the outer surface; when the elevator portion is not biased against the distal tip, the first channel and the second channel are each configured to receive a control wire, and when the elevator portion is biased against the distal tip, the first channel is configured to release the control wire and the second channel is configured to retain the control wire; when the lift section is biased relative to the distal tip, the proximal section is curved relative to the distal section; the distal tip has a distally facing surface defining a first control wire opening and a second control wire opening; a first portion of the control wire extends from the first control wire opening, a second portion of the control wire extends from the second control wire opening, and a third portion of the control wire extends between the first and second portions at the distal portion of the lift section.

17. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein when the control wire moves proximally relative to the shaft to bias the lift portion proximally relative to the distal tip, the control wire moves outward from the first channel such that the control wire is removed from the first channel, and when the control wire moves proximally relative to the shaft to bias the lift portion proximally relative to the distal tip, the control wire is maintained within the second channel such that the control wire moves with the lift portion.

18. The device described in claim 16, wherein the distal portion of the lifting portion has a recess, and the surface of the distal tip facing in the distal direction has a protrusion that is complementary to the recess of the lifting portion, and the protrusion is configured to face the distal portion of the lifting portion when the lifting portion is biased against the distal tip.

19. The device described in claim 18, wherein the protrusion is located between the first control wire opening and the second control wire opening.

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