Endoscope manifold with weight

Abstract

A method and system for coupling gas and water supply tubes to a container may include a container configured to contain a fluid, the container having a bottom and a top; a water supply tube (245c) including a first end, a second end, and a first lumen; a gas supply tube (240c) including a first end, a second end, and a second lumen; and a weight (500) coupled to the first end of the water supply tube (245c) and the first end of the gas supply tube (240c). The first lumen is in selective fluid communication with the bottom of the container and the second end of the water supply tube (245c) located outside the container. The second lumen is in operative fluid communication with the container, and the second end of the gas supply tube (240c) is located outside the container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to medical fluid containers and methods, and more particularly to containers and tube sets for supplying fluid and / or gas to an endoscope.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, endoscope devices have been widely used for performing diagnostic procedures and / or therapeutic procedures. During an endoscopic procedure, a physician may use a combination of air, irrigation, and lens cleaning fluid as a means to flush debris, clean the optics, and ventilate the working lumen. To enable these functions, the endoscopic umbilical is connected to a water bottle via a set of tubes. One of the tubes sends pressurized air from the processor to the water bottle. Another tube is a water tube suspended in the water at the bottom of the bottle. A weight may be attached to the distal tip to ensure that the tube stays at the bottom of the water bottle and does not float above the water surface. In addition, a cap with multiple functions and components is attached to the top of the bottle to ensure that the desired performance is achieved. The improvements of the present disclosure are contemplated in view of these considerations.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] This summary of the present disclosure is provided to facilitate understanding and those skilled in the art will understand that each of the various aspects and features of the present disclosure may be advantageously used separately in some cases or in combination with other aspects and features of the present disclosure in other cases. The limitations regarding the scope of the claimed subject matter are not intended by inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this summary. Accordingly, while the present disclosure is presented with respect to aspects or embodiments, it should be understood that individual aspects may be claimed separately or in combination with aspects and features of that embodiment or any other embodiment.

[0004] In the first example, a container and tube set arranged and configured to be coupled to an endoscope for use in an endoscopic procedure may comprise: a container configured to contain a fluid, having a bottom and a top; a water supply tube, having a first end, a second end, and a first lumen extending through the water supply tube, the first lumen selectively communicating with the bottom of the container, and the second end of the water supply tube located outside the container; a gas supply tube, having a first end, a second end, and a second lumen extending through the gas supply tube, the second lumen operably communicating with the container, and the second end of the gas supply tube located outside the container; and weights coupled to the first end of the water supply tube and the first end of the gas supply tube.

[0005] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the weight may include a housing, the housing having a housing lumen extending from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing.

[0006] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the container and tube set may further include one or more openings extending through the side wall of the housing, the one or more openings located between the first and second ends of the housing.

[0007] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the housing lumen may have a cross-sectional dimension that gradually decreases from the first end to the second end. In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the housing lumen may have a first cross-sectional dimension from the first end of the housing to a first intermediate position between the first and second ends of the housing.

[0008] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the housing lumen may have a second cross-sectional dimension from a first intermediate position to a second intermediate position between the first and second ends of the housing, wherein the second cross-sectional dimension may be smaller than the first cross-sectional dimension.

[0009] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the housing lumen may have a third cross-sectional dimension from a second intermediate position to a second end, the third cross-sectional dimension being smaller than the second cross-sectional dimension.

[0010] In other examples, instead of or in addition to any of the above examples, the first transition in the cross-sectional dimensions of the housing lumen may define a first ledge.

[0011] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the first end of the gas supply tube may be configured to abut against the first shelf. In an alternative example, instead of or in addition to any of the above examples, one or more openings may be located between the first shelf portion and the second end of the housing.

[0012] In other examples, either in place of or in addition to any of the above examples, the second transition in the cross-sectional dimensions of the housing lumen may define a second shelf. In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the first end of the water supply tube may be configured to abut against the second shelf.

[0013] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the gas flow through the second lumen may be configured to exit through one or more openings. In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the water flow may be configured to enter the first lumen through the second end of the housing when the container is pressurized.

[0014] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the container and tube set may further comprise one or more one-way valves coupled to the openings. In other examples, either in place of or in addition to any of the above examples, the one-way valve may include an umbrella valve.

[0015] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the one-way valve may be configured to allow the gas flow to exit the housing and enter the container. In another example, a container and tube set arranged and configured to be coupled to an endoscope for use in an endoscopic procedure may comprise a container configured to contain a fluid, having a bottom and a top; a water supply tube comprising a first end, a second end, and a first lumen extending through the water supply tube, the first lumen selectively communicating with the bottom of the container, and the second end of the water supply tube located outside the container; a gas supply tube comprising a first end, a second end, and a second lumen extending through the gas supply tube, the second lumen operably communicating with the container, and the second end of the gas supply tube located outside the container; and a weight coupled to the first end of the water supply tube and the first end of the gas supply tube. The weight may comprise a housing having a first housing lumen extending from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing and a second housing lumen extending through the side wall of the housing.

[0016] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the container and tube set may further comprise one or more openings formed at the second end of the housing.

[0017] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the first housing lumen may have a cross-sectional dimension that gradually decreases from the first end to the second end. In other examples, instead of or in addition to any of the above examples, the first transition in the cross-sectional dimensions of the housing lumen may define the first shelf portion.

[0018] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the first end of the gas supply tube may be configured to abut against the first shelf. In an alternative example, instead of or in addition to any of the above examples, the first opening of the second housing lumen may be located between the first shelf and the second end of the housing.

[0019] In an alternative example, instead of or in addition to any of the above examples, the second opening of the second housing lumen may be positioned adjacent to the second end of the housing.

[0020] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the first lumen of the water supply tube may be in fluid communication with the second housing lumen. In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the container and tube set may further include one or more openings extending through the second end of the housing.

[0021] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the second lumen of the gas supply tube may be in fluid communication with one or more openings. In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the container and tube set may further comprise one or more one-way valves coupled to one or more openings.

[0022] Instead of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, in another example, the one-way valve may include an umbrella valve. Instead of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, in another example, the one-way valve may be configured to allow the gas flow to exit the housing and enter the container.

[0023] Instead of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, in another example, the second housing lumen may extend at a non-right angle to the first housing lumen. In another example, a container and tube set arranged and configured to couple to an endoscope for use in an endoscopic procedure includes a container configured to contain a fluid, the container having a bottom and a top, a water supply tube including a first end, a second end, and a first lumen extending through the water supply tube, the first lumen being selectively in fluid communication with the bottom of the container, the second end of the water supply tube being disposed outside the container, a gas supply tube including a first end, a second end, and a second lumen extending through the gas supply tube, the second lumen being operably in fluid communication with the container, the second end of the gas supply tube being disposed outside the container, and a weight coupled to the first end of the water supply tube and the first end of the gas supply tube. The weight may include a housing having a first housing lumen extending from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing and one or more through holes radially spaced from the first housing lumen.

[0024] Instead of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, in another example, one or more through holes may be formed at the second end of the housing. Instead of, or in addition to, any of the above examples, in another example, the housing may have an inner cross-sectional dimension that gradually decreases from the first end to the second end.

[0025] Instead of any of the above examples, or in addition thereto, in other examples, the first transition in the inner cross-sectional dimension of the housing may define a first shelf portion. Instead of any of the above examples, or in addition thereto, in another example, the first end of the gas supply tube may be configured to abut against the first shelf portion.

[0026] Instead of any of the above examples, or in addition thereto, in another example, the second transition in the inner cross-sectional dimension of the housing may define a second shelf portion. Instead of any of the above examples, or in addition thereto, in another example, the first end of the water supply tube may be configured to abut against the second shelf portion.

[0027] Instead of any of the above examples, or in addition thereto, in another example, the first lumen of the water supply tube may be in fluid communication with the first housing lumen. Instead of any of the above examples, or in addition thereto, in another example, the second lumen of the gas supply tube may be in fluid communication with one or more through-holes at the second end of the housing.

[0028] Instead of any of the above examples, or in addition thereto, in another example, the container and the tube set may further comprise a one-way valve coupled to one or more through-holes.

[0029] Instead of any of the above examples, or in addition thereto, in another example, the one-way valve may include an umbrella valve. Instead of any of the above examples, or in addition thereto, in another example, the one-way valve may be configured to allow the flow of gas to exit the housing and enter the container.

[0030] Instead of any of the above examples, or in addition thereto, in another example, the one-way valve may be configured to prevent the passage of water into the housing. In another example, a container arranged and configured to be coupled to an endoscope for use in an endoscopic procedure may be a flexible container configured to contain fluid within a first receptacle, comprising a flexible container having a bottom and a top, a water outlet located adjacent to the bottom of the container, and a gas inlet which is in fluid communication with a second receptacle of the container. The second receptacle may comprise a hydrophobic membrane.

[0031] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the hydrophobic membrane may be configured to allow the gas to pass from the second receptacle to the first receptacle.

[0032] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the hydrophobic membrane may be configured to prevent water from passing from the first receptacle to the second receptacle.

[0033] In an alternative example, instead of or in addition to any of the above examples, the container may further comprise: a water supply tube comprising a first end, a second end, and a first lumen extending through the water supply tube, the first lumen being in fluid communication with a first receptacle at the bottom of the container, and the second end of the water supply tube being located outside the container; and a gas supply tube comprising a first end, a second end, and a second lumen extending through the gas supply tube, the second lumen being in operably fluid communication with a first receptacle, and the second end of the gas supply tube being located outside the container.

[0034] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the container may further include a port located adjacent to the top of the container, the port being configured to selectively fluidize the first receptacle of the container to an external water source, and a removable cap selectively coupled to the port.

[0035] In another example, a container and tube set arranged and configured to be coupled to an endoscope for use in an endoscopic procedure may include: a container configured to contain a fluid, having a bottom and a top; a water supply tube, having a first end, a second end, and a first lumen extending through the water supply tube, the first lumen being selectively in fluid communication with the bottom of the container, and the second end of the water supply tube being located outside the container; and a gas supply tube, having a first end, a second end, and a second lumen extending through the gas supply tube, the second lumen being operably in fluid communication with the container, the second end of the gas supply tube being located outside the container, and the first end of the gas supply tube being located inside the container and extending to the bottom of the container, and having a side wall configured to allow gas to pass from the second lumen to the container while preventing water from flowing from the container to the second lumen. The water supply tube may extend coaxially with the gas supply tube, and the first end of the water supply tube is substantially aligned with the first end of the gas supply tube.

[0036] In an alternative example, instead of or in addition to any of the above examples, the annular opening at the first end of the gas supply tube may be closed. In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the container and tube set may further include weights connected to the first end of the gas supply tube and / or the first end of the water supply tube.

[0037] In an alternative to or in addition to any of the above examples, the sidewall may have multiple pinholes extending through the sidewall. In alternative or additional examples, the sidewalls may be formed from an elastomer.

[0038] In an alternative to or in addition to any of the above examples, the sidewalls may be formed from a finely woven mesh. In alternative or additional examples, the sidewall may include a hydrophobic membrane.

[0039] In another example, a container and tube set arranged and configured to be coupled to an endoscope for use in endoscopic procedures may comprise an outer chamber; an inner chamber located within the outer chamber and configured to contain fluid; a water supply tube including a first end, a second end, and a first lumen extending through the water supply tube, the first lumen being in fluid communication with the inner chamber, and the second end of the water supply tube located outside the container; and a gas supply tube including a first end, a second end, and a second lumen extending through the gas supply tube, the second lumen being operably in communication with the outer chamber, and the second end of the gas supply tube located outside the container.

[0040] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the outer chamber may be configured to compress the inner chamber to expel fluid from it. In another example, a container positioned and configured to be coupled to an endoscope for use in endoscopic procedures may comprise a flexible container configured to contain fluid within a first receptacle, the container having a bottom and a top, a water outlet located adjacent to the bottom of the container, and a gas inlet, the gas inlet communicating with an internal channel of the container. The internal channel may include a flow control mechanism located adjacent to a second end of the internal channel.

[0041] In an alternative example, either in place of or in addition to any of the above examples, the flow control mechanism may include a duckbill valve. In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the flow control mechanism may include an umbrella valve in another example.

[0042] In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the flow control mechanism may include a hydrophobic membrane. In an alternative or in addition to any of the above examples, the flow control mechanism may be configured to prevent water from passing from the first receptacle to the internal channel receptacle.

[0043] In an alternative example, instead of or in addition to any of the above examples, the container may further comprise: a water supply tube comprising a first end, a second end, and a first lumen extending through the water supply tube, the first lumen being in fluid communication with a first receptacle at the bottom of the container, and the second end of the water supply tube being located outside the container; and a gas supply tube comprising a first end, a second end, and a second lumen extending through the gas supply tube, the second lumen being in operably fluid communication with a first receptacle, and the second end of the gas supply tube being located outside the container.

[0044] 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. The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and constituting part of this specification illustrate various exemplary embodiments and, together with the descriptions, serve to illustrate the intent of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0045] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the components of an endoscope. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the components of an endoscope system, including an endoscope, a light source, a light source connector, a water reservoir, and a tube assembly for delivering air and lens cleaning fluid. [Figure 3A]This diagram shows an endoscope system, including an endoscope, a light source, a water reservoir, and a tube assembly for delivering hybrid air, lens cleaning solution, and irrigation fluid, with the system being activated to deliver air to the atmosphere. [Figure 3B] Figure 3A shows an endoscopic system, which is activated to deliver air to the patient through the patient end of the endoscope. [Figure 3C] Figure 3A shows an endoscopic system, which is activated to deliver lens cleaning fluid through the patient end of the endoscope. [Figure 3D] Figure 3A shows an endoscopic system, which is activated to deliver irrigation fluid through the patient end of the endoscope. [Figure 4] This diagram shows a hybrid endoscope system including an image processing unit, a connector section, a peristaltic irrigation pump, a water reservoir and top section, coaxial gas and lens cleaning fluid supply tubes, upstream and downstream irrigation supply tubes, and an alternative gas supply tube. [Figure 5A] This is a perspective view of an exemplary distal tube weight. [Figure 5B] This is a perspective cross-sectional view of the exemplary distal tube weight in Figure 5A, along line 5B-5B in Figure 5A. [Figure 5C] This is a perspective cross-sectional view of an exemplary distal tube weight along line 5C-5C in Figure 5A. [Figure 5D] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary distal tube weight assembled with gas supply tubes and water supply tubes. [Figure 5E] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary distal tube weight assembled with a gas supply tube, a water supply tube, and a reservoir. [Figure 6A] This is a perspective view of another exemplary distal tube weight. [Figure 6B] This is a perspective cross-sectional view of the exemplary distal tube weight shown in Figure 6A, along line 6B-6B in Figure 6A. [Figure 6C] Figure 6A is a top view of an exemplary distal tube weight. [Figure 6D] Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary distal tube weight assembled with gas supply tubes and water supply tubes. [Figure 7A] This is a top perspective view of another example distal tube weight. [Figure 7B] Figure 7A is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary distal tube weight. [Figure 7C] Figure 7A is a top view of an exemplary distal tube weight. [Figure 7D] Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary distal tube weight assembled with gas supply tubes and water supply tubes. [Figure 8A] This is a top perspective view of another example distal tube weight. [Figure 8B] This is a perspective cross-sectional view of an exemplary distal tube weight in Figure 8A, along line 8B-8B in Figure 8A. [Figure 8C] Figure 8A is a top view of an exemplary distal tube weight. [Figure 8D] Figure 8A is a bottom view of an exemplary distal tube weight. [Figure 8E] Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary distal tube weight assembled with gas supply tubes and water supply tubes. [Figure 9A] This is a top perspective view of another example distal tube weight. [Figure 9B] This is a perspective cross-sectional view of the exemplary distal tube weight in Figure 9A, along the line 9B-9B in Figure 9A. [Figure 9C] Figure 9A is a top view of an exemplary distal tube weight. [Figure 9D] Figure 9A is a bottom view of an exemplary distal tube weight. [Figure 9E] Figure 9A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary distal tube weight assembled with gas supply tubes and water supply tubes. [Figure 10] This is a side view of an exemplary refillable fluid reservoir. [Figure 11A] This is a side view of another exemplary refillable fluid reservoir and tube set. [Figure 11B] This is an enlarged view of area B in Figure 11A. [Figure 12] This figure shows another exemplary reservoir for use with an endoscope system. [Figure 13A] This is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary fluid reservoir in the first embodiment. [Figure 13B] This is a schematic side view of an exemplary reservoir in the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 13A. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0046] This disclosure is open to various modifications and alternative forms, the details of which are shown in the drawings as examples and described in detail. However, it should be understood that the intent is not to limit the invention to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, the intent is to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternative forms that fall within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0047] This disclosure is described herein 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 suitable procedure, medical or otherwise. This disclosure can be understood with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, where the same or similar reference numbers are used to refer to the same or similar parts through the drawings.

[0048] The term “distal” refers to the part of the device furthest from the user when it is introduced into a patient. Conversely, the term “proximal” refers to the part of the device closest to the user when it is placed within a patient. Where used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus containing a list of elements does not necessarily contain only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly enumerated or specific to such process, method, article, or apparatus. The term “exemplary” is used in the sense of “example” rather than “ideal.” Furthermore, where used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially” indicate a range of values ​​within + / - 10% of the stated or implied value. Additionally, terms describing the geometric shape of a component / surface refer to the exact shape and the approximate shape.

[0049] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with specific reference to bottles (e.g., containers, reservoirs, etc.) and tube assemblies or sets. It should be understood that such embodiments may be used to supply fluids and / or gases to an endoscope for a variety of different purposes, including, for example, facilitating patient ventilation, lens cleaning, and / or assisting in flushing / aspirating debris by irrigating the working channel during endoscopic procedures.

[0050] This disclosure includes a description of containers and tubing sets suitable for use with endoscopic systems for supplying fluids and / or gases to an endoscope, but the devices, systems, and methods herein may be implemented in other medical systems requiring fluid and / or gas delivery and for various other purposes.

[0051] References to “embodiments,” “some embodiments,” and “other embodiments” in this specification should be noted to indicate that while the embodiments described may include certain features, structures, or characteristics, not all embodiments necessarily include those particular features, structures, or characteristics. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Moreover, if certain features, structures, or characteristics are described in relation to a particular embodiment, it would be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art that such features, structures, or characteristics may be derived in relation to other embodiments, whether or not they are explicitly described, unless otherwise explicitly stated. In other words, the various individual elements described below, even if not explicitly shown in specific combinations, are considered combinable or configurable with each other to form other additional embodiments or to complement and / or enhance the embodiments described, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0052] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" refer to multiple subjects unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein and in the appended claims, the term "or" is used generally to mean "and / or" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0053] Traditionally, endoscopic devices have been widely used to perform diagnostic and / or therapeutic procedures. During endoscopic procedures, physicians may use a combination of air, irrigation, and lens cleaning solution as means of flushing out debris, cleaning the optics, and ventilating the working lumen. To enable these features, the endoscopic umbilical is connected to a water bottle via a set of tubes. One tube delivers pressurized air from a processor to the water bottle. The other tube is a water tube suspended in the water at the bottom of the bottle. To ensure that the tube remains at the bottom of the water bottle and does not float above the water surface, a weight may be attached to the distal end. In addition, a cap with multiple functions and components is attached to the top of the bottle to ensure that the desired performance is achieved. Disclosed herein are container and tube sets that can reduce the number of components required to achieve the same performance by combining multiple components and functions into a single component.

[0054] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an exemplary endoscope 100 and system 200 may be provided with a long shaft 100a that is inserted into the patient. A light source 205 supplies illumination light to the distal portion 100b of the endoscope 100, which may house an imaging device (e.g., a CCD or CMOS imaging device) (not shown). The light source 205 (e.g., a lamp) is housed in an image processing unit 210 that processes signals input from the imaging device and outputs the processed image signal to an image monitor (not shown) for viewing. The image processing unit 210 also functions as a component of an air supply / water supply circuit by housing a pressurizing pump 215, such as an air supply pump, within the unit.

[0055] The endoscope shaft 100a may include a distal tip 100c provided at the distal portion 100b of the shaft 100a, and a flexible bending portion 105 located proximal to the distal tip 100c. The flexible bending portion 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 cleaning nozzle 220 for supplying gas to ventilate the inside of the patient 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 treatment area of ​​the patient. 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 also be included on the face 100d of the distal tip 100c. The working channel 235 extends along the shaft 100a to a proximal channel opening 110 located distal to the operating handle 115 of the endoscope 100. A biopsy valve 120 may be used to seal the channel opening 110 to prevent unwanted fluid leakage.

[0056] 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. Furthermore, the handle 115 is provided with two valve wells 135. One of the valve wells 135 may receive a gas / water valve 140 for operating the ventilation gas and lens water supply operations. 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 the distal tip 100c proximal to the gas / cleaning fluid nozzle 220 (Figure 2). The other valve well 135 receives a suction valve 145 for operating the suction operation. The suction supply line 250a extends distally along the shaft 100a from the suction valve 145 to a junction that fluidly communicates with the working channel 235 of the endoscope 100.

[0057] The operating handle 115 is electrically and fluidly connected to the image processing unit 210 via the flexible umbilical 260 and a connector portion 265 extending between them. The flexible umbilical 260 has a gas (e.g., air or CO2) supply line 240b, a lens cleaning fluid supply line 245b, a suction supply line 250b, an irrigation supply line 255b, an optical guide (not shown), and an electrical signal cable (not shown). When the connector portion 265 is plugged into the image processing unit 210, it connects the light source 205 within the image 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. When the connector portion 265 is plugged into the image processing unit 210, it also connects the air pump 215 to the gas supply line 240b within the umbilical 260.

[0058] A water reservoir or container 270 (e.g., a water bottle) is fluidly connected to the endoscope 100 through the connector portion 265 and the umbilical 260. A gas supply tube 240c of a certain length passes from one end, located in the gap 275 between the top 280 of the reservoir 270 (e.g., the bottle cap) and the remaining water 285 in the reservoir, to a removable gas / lens cleaning fluid connector 290 outside the connector portion 265. The removable gas / lens cleaning fluid connector 290 may be detachable from the connector portion 265 and / or the gas supply tube 240c. A gas supply line 240b from the umbilical 260 branches within the connector portion 265 to fluidly communicate with the gas supply tube 240c at the removable gas / lens cleaning fluid connector 290, as well as with the air pump 215. A lens cleaning fluid tube 245c of a certain length penetrates the top 280 of the reservoir 270 to a removable connection 290 identical to that of the gas supply tube 240c of the connector portion 265, with one end positioned at the bottom of the reservoir 270. In other embodiments, the connections may be separate and / or separated from each other. The connector portion 265 also has a removable irrigation connection 293 for an irrigation supply tube (not shown) extending from an irrigation water source (not shown) to an irrigation supply line 255b in the umbilical 260. The removable irrigation connection 293 may be detachable from the connector portion 265 and / or the irrigation supply tube (not shown). In some embodiments, the irrigation water is supplied from a water source (not shown) independent of the water reservoir 270 via a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump). In other embodiments, the irrigation supply tube and the lens cleaning fluid tube 245c may source water from the same reservoir. The connector portion 265 may also include a removable suction connector 295 for suction supply lines 250b and 250a that fluidly connect a vacuum source (e.g., hospital house suction) (not shown) to the umbilical 260 and endoscope 100. The removable suction connector 295 may be detachable from the connector portion 265 and / or from the suction supply lines 250b and / or the vacuum source.

[0059] The gas supply line 240b and the lens cleaning fluid supply line 245b are fluidly connected to a valve well 135 for a gas / water valve 140, and the operation of the gas / water valve in the well is 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 a valve well 135 for a suction valve 145, and the operation of the suction valve in the well is configured to control the suction applied to the working channel 235 of the endoscope 100.

[0060] Referring to Figure 2, an exemplary operation of an endoscopic system 200, including an endoscope such as the endoscope 100 described above, is explained. Air from the air pump 215 in the image processing unit 210 flows through the connector section 265 and branches off to the gas / water valve 140 on the operating handle 115 via the gas supply line 240b in the umbilical 260, and also flows to the water reservoir 270 via the gas supply tube 240c through the connection section 290 on the connector section 265. When the gas / water valve 140 is in the neutral position, if the user's fingers are not on the valve, air is allowed to flow out of the valve to the atmosphere. In the first position, the user's fingers are used to block the airflow to the atmosphere. Gas is allowed to flow from the valve 140 down the gas supply line 240a and out of the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100 to deliver air to, for example, the treatment site of the patient. When the gas / water valve 140 is pushed down to the second position, gas is prevented from escaping the valve, allowing the pressure of the air passing from the air pump 215 to rise in the water reservoir 270. By pressurizing the water source, water is pushed out from the lens cleaning fluid tube 245c, through the connector portion 265, the umbilical 260, through the gas / water valve 140, down the lens cleaning fluid supply line 245a, and converges with the gas supply line 240a before exiting the distal tip 100c of the endoscope 100 via the gas / lens cleaning fluid nozzle 220. The air pump pressure may be calibrated to provide lens cleaning fluid at a relatively low flow rate compared to the supply of irrigation water.

[0061] The flow rate of the lens cleaning solution is governed by the gas pressure in the water reservoir 270. As water is pushed out of the reservoir 270 through the lens cleaning solution tube 245c, the gas pressure in the water reservoir 270 begins to drop, and the air pump 215 maintains a substantially constant pressure by replenishing the lost air supply in the reservoir 270, which then provides a substantially constant flow rate of the lens cleaning solution. In some embodiments, a filter (not shown) may be placed in the path of the gas supply tube 240c to filter out unwanted contaminants or particulate matter from passing into the water reservoir 270. In some embodiments, an outflow check valve or other one-way valve configuration (not shown) may be placed in the path of the lens cleaning solution supply tube to help prevent backflow into the reservoir 270 after the water has passed through the valve.

[0062] Since the primary use is to remove debris obstructing the user's field of view from the patient's treatment site, a relatively high flow rate of irrigation water is typically required compared to lens cleaning solution. Irrigation is typically achieved by the use of a pump (e.g., a peristaltic pump), as described. In embodiments with a separate water source for irrigation, a tube located at the bottom of the water source passes over the top of the water source and is routed to the upstream head of the pump. The tube downstream of the pump is connected via an irrigation connection 293 on a connector portion 265 to the irrigation supply line 255b in the umbilical 260 and the irrigation supply line 255a of the endoscope 100. When irrigation water is needed, the fluid is drawn from the water source by operating the irrigation pump, such as by pressing a foot switch (not shown), and flows through the irrigation connection 293, through the irrigation supply line 255b in the umbilical, down the irrigation supply line in the shaft 100a of the endoscope to the distal tip 100c. A vent (not shown) may be included in the top 280 of the water reservoir 270 to equalize the pressure in the water source as water is drawn out from the irrigation supply tube. The vent prevents negative pressure buildup in the water source by allowing air to enter, but this negative pressure buildup can create a vacuum that draws unwanted substances from the patient through the endoscope towards the water source. In some embodiments, an outflow check valve or other one-way valve configuration (not shown) similar to that of the lens cleaning fluid tube 245c may be placed in the path of the irrigation supply tube to help prevent backflow into the reservoir after water has passed through the valve.

[0063] Figures 3A to 3D are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of one embodiment of a hybrid system 300 in which supply tubes for irrigation and lens cleaning solution are connected to and drawn from a single water reservoir. It is intended that fluids other than water (e.g., saline solution, but not limited to this) may be used. The hybrid system 300 includes a single water reservoir 305, a cap 310 for the reservoir, a gas supply tube 240c, a lens cleaning solution supply tube 245c, an irrigation pump 315 with a foot switch 318, an upstream irrigation tube 320, and a downstream irrigation supply tube 255c. The cap 310 may be configured to be securely sealed and attached to the water reservoir 305, typically by a threaded arrangement. The cap 310 may include a gasket for sealing the cap 310 to the reservoir 305. The gasket may be an O-ring, flange, collar, and / or equivalent, and may be formed from any suitable material. Several through-openings (325a, 325b, 325c) are provided within the cap 310 to receive the gas supply tube 240c, the lens cleaning solution supply tube 245c, and the upstream irrigation supply tube 320, respectively. In Figures 3A-3D, the illustrated system includes separate tubes for gas supply, lens cleaning, and irrigation.

[0064] In other embodiments, the gas supply tube 240c and the lens cleaning fluid tube 245c may be combined in a coaxial arrangement. Several exemplary coaxial arrangements are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 558,239, “INTEGRATED CONTAINER AND TUBE SET FOR FLUID DELIVERY WITH AN ENDOSCOPE” and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 558,256, “TUBING ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR FLUID DELIVERY” by the same applicant, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. For example, the gas supply tube may define a lumen of a diameter large enough to surround a smaller diameter lens cleaning fluid tube coaxially received within the gas supply tube, and pressurize the water reservoir by supplying air to a water source in an annular space surrounding the lens cleaning fluid tube (see, for example, gas supply tube 240c and lens cleaning fluid supply tube 245c). The lens cleaning fluid supply tube may be configured to exit from the lumen defined by the coaxial gas supply tube by any suitable sealed method, such as an opening, fitting, or collar, in order to transition from coaxial to parallel configuration at a removable gas / lens cleaning fluid connection to the endoscope connector portion (e.g., connector portion 265 in Figure 2).

[0065] In various embodiments, different configurations of valves (not shown) may be incorporated into the various embodiments disclosed herein, including the tubing of systems 200, 300. For example, placing an inlet check valve in the path of the gas supply tube 240c may help prevent backflow to the air pump 215. Thus, the pressure rise in the water reservoir 305 helps maintain positive pressure in the water source, even when large amounts of water may be removed from the water source during the irrigation function, by creating a pressure difference between the water source and the gas supply tube 240c. This arrangement cancels out any time differences in the air delivered from the air pump 215 to the water reservoir 305, otherwise a negative pressure vacuum could be created in the water reservoir. Similarly, incorporating an outflow check valve, such as a one-way valve with an inlet / outlet and valve insert, into the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 240c, the upstream irrigation supply tube 320, and / or the downstream irrigation supply tube 255c may help prevent backflow of water from either or both of the lens cleaning fluid tubes and the irrigation tubes in the event of negative pressure conditions, as described above.

[0066] More generally, in many embodiments, a check valve can refer to any type of configuration for which a fluid flows passively in only one direction. For example, a check valve may include, or refer to, one or more of the following: ball check valves, diaphragm check valves, swing check valves, inclined disc check valves, flapper valves, stop check valves, lift check valves, inline check valves, duckbill valves, pneumatic backflow prevention valves, reed valves, and flow checks. Thus, as used herein, a check valve is distinct from and different from an active valve (e.g., a stopcock valve, solenoid valve, or peristaltic pump) that operates in a binary manner as an on / off valve or switch that allows a flow to be turned on or off.

[0067] During the operation of the system shown in Figures 3A to 3D, the water flow for irrigation can be achieved by operating the irrigation pump 315. The water flow for lens cleaning can be achieved by pressing down the gas / water valve 140 on the operating handle 115 of the endoscope 100. These functions may be performed independently of each other or simultaneously. When lens cleaning and irrigation are performed simultaneously, as the fluid is removed from the water reservoir 305, the pressure in the system can be controlled to compensate for the pressure reduction in the water reservoir 305 by supplying high-flow irrigation, while maintaining the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 240c at the pressure necessary to achieve substantially low-flow lens cleaning. If the pressure in the water reservoir drops due to the use of the lens cleaning function, the irrigation function, or both functions simultaneously, the reduced pressure may be compensated by the air pump 215 via the gas supply tube 240c.

[0068] The schematic configurations in Figures 3A to 3D are highlighted to illustrate the different flow paths possible by the hybrid system 300, which has a supply tube 320 for irrigation and a supply tube 240c for lens cleaning fluid connected to a single water reservoir 305 and drawn from the single water reservoir 305. As shown in Figure 3A, the endoscope 100 is in a neutral state with the gas / water valve 140 in the open position. In the neutral state, neither gas nor lens cleaning fluid is delivered to the distal tip of the endoscope. Rather, gas (pressure) is delivered from the pressurized air pump 215 along path A, through the gas supply line 240b in the umbilical 260 via connector section 265, and vented to the atmosphere through the gas / water valve. Since the system is open at the vent of the gas / water valve 140, there is no accumulation pressurizing the water reservoir 305, and therefore no water is pushed out through the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 240c.

[0069] As shown in Figure 3B, the endoscope 100 is in a gas delivery state with the gas / water valve 140 in the first position. When gas is required at the distal tip 100c, for example, to clean the end face 100d of the distal tip or to deliver air to the patient's body within the treatment area, the user closes the vent in the gas / water valve 140 with their thumb, finger, etc. (first position). In this state, gas (pressure) is delivered from the air pump 215 along path B and flows through the connector portion 265 into the gas supply line 240b in the umbilical 260. The gas passes through the gas / water valve 140, continues into the gas supply line 240a in the endoscope shaft 100a, and exits from the gas / lens cleaning solution nozzle 220 at the distal tip 100c. Since the system is open at the gas / lens water nozzle 220, there is no accumulation to pressurize the water reservoir, and therefore no water is forced out through the lens cleaning solution supply tube 240c.

[0070] As shown in Figure 3C, the endoscope 100 is in a lens cleaning fluid delivery state with the gas / water valve 140 in a second position. When lens cleaning fluid is required at the distal tip 100c, for example, to clean the end face 100d of the distal tip 100c, the user pushes the valve 140 down to the furthest point in the valve well 135 while keeping the vent hole in the gas / water valve closed. The second position opens the gas / water valve 140 so as to shut off the gas supply to both the atmosphere and the gas supply line 240a inside the endoscope, and to allow lens cleaning water to pass through the lens cleaning fluid supply line 245a inside the endoscope shaft 100a and exit from the gas / lens cleaning fluid nozzle 220 at the distal tip 100c. In this state, gas (pressure) is delivered from the air pump 215 along path C, through the branch line in the connector section 265, out of the gas supply tube 240c, and to the water reservoir 305. The gas (pressure) pressurizes the surface of the remaining water 285 in reservoir 305, pushing the water up from the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 245c to the connector section 265. The pressurized lens cleaning water is then pushed through the lens cleaning fluid delivery line 245b in the umbilical 260 and further through the gas / water valve 140. Because system 300 is closed, the gas pressure is able to build and maintain a calibrated pressure level in the water reservoir 305 rather than being released into the atmosphere or delivered to the patient. This pressure, along with the endoscope's delivery and supply lines and external tubing, is converted into a specific range of flow velocities for the lens cleaning fluid.

[0071] As shown in Figure 3D, the endoscope 100 is in an irrigation delivery state. This may occur simultaneously with or at a different time from the delivery of gas and / or lens cleaning solution. When irrigation is required at the distal tip 100c, for example, when visibility in the treatment area is poor or obstructed by debris, the user activates the irrigation pump 315 (for example, by pressing the foot switch 318) to deliver water along the pathway D. Once the pump 315 is activated, water is drawn from the water reservoir 305 through the upstream irrigation supply tube 320 and delivered along the downstream irrigation supply tube 255c to the connector section 265. The irrigation pump head pressure further pushes the irrigation water through the irrigation supply line 255b in the umbilical 260 and through the irrigation supply line 255a in the endoscope shaft 100a, out of the irrigation opening 225 at the distal tip 100c. The irrigation pump pressure may be calibrated along with the endoscopic irrigation and supply lines and external tubing to deliver irrigation fluid at a specific range of flow rates.

[0072] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a further embodiment of the hybrid system 400, which includes an image processing unit 210, a connector section 265, a peristaltic irrigation pump 315, a water reservoir 405 and a top section 407, a coaxial gas and lens cleaning fluid supply tube 410, upstream and downstream irrigation supply tubes 320, 255c, and an alternative gas (e.g., CO2) supply tube 415. An alternative gas supply tube 415 of a certain length is positioned in the gas gap 275 (see Figure 2) between the top section 407 of the water reservoir 405 and the remaining water 285 in the reservoir, passes through an additional opening 420 in the top section of the reservoir to a removable connector 425 for an alternative gas source (e.g., a CO2 hospital gas source). When an alternative gas supply, such as CO2 gas, is desired, the air pump 215 on the image processing unit 210 may be turned off, thereby allowing CO2 gas, instead of air, to flow into the water reservoir 405 and pressurize the water surface. Generally, the flow of CO2 through the endoscope 100 is similar to the flow of air. In the neutral position, the CO2 gas flows backward upward through the gas supply tube 240c to the connector section 265, flows upward through the gas supply line 240b, and is vented to the atmosphere through the gas / water valve 140. In the first position, the user closes the vent in the gas / water valve 140, and the CO2 gas flows through the gas / water valve into the gas supply line 240a in the endoscope shaft 100a and flows out from the gas / lens cleaning nozzle 220 at the distal tip 100c. In the second position, the user pushes valve 140 down to the bottom of valve well 135, keeping the vent in the gas / water valve closed. The second position opens gas / water valve 140 to shut off the supply of CO2 gas to both the atmosphere and the gas supply line 240a in the endoscope 100, while allowing lens cleaning water to pass through the lens cleaning fluid supply line 245a in the endoscope shaft 100a and exit from the gas / lens cleaning fluid nozzle 220 at the distal tip 100c. The gas (pressure) in reservoir 405 is maintained by the delivery gas through the alternative gas (e.g., CO2) supply tube 415. The irrigation function can be achieved in a manner similar to the operation described above with respect to Figure 3D.

[0073] As described above, it is sometimes desirable to reduce the number of parts in the system 200 while achieving the same performance. Figure 5A shows a perspective view of an exemplary distal tube weight 500 for use with the gas supply tube 240c, the lens cleaning solution tube 245c, and the reservoirs 270, 305, and 405. Figure 5B shows a perspective cross-sectional view of an exemplary distal tube weight 500 along line 5B-5B in Figure 5A. Figure 5C shows a perspective cross-sectional view of an exemplary distal tube weight 500 along line 5C-5C in Figure 5A. Figure 5D shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary distal tube weight 500 assembled with the gas supply tube 240c and the water supply tube 245c. Figure 5E shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary distal tube weight 500 assembled with the gas supply tube 240c, the water supply tube 245c, and the reservoir 270. The distal tube weight 500 may be configured to house the gas supply tube 240c and water supply tube 245c within the reservoirs 270, 305, and 405, in a configuration that reduces the complexity of the water bottle cap or top 280, 407 while maintaining the gas supply tube 240c and water supply tube 245c in the desired shape.

[0074] The distal tube weight 500 includes a housing 502 extending from a first or proximal end 504 to a second or distal end 506. In some cases, the first end 504 may be considered the top of the housing 502, while the second end 506 may be considered the bottom of the housing 502. An exemplary housing 502 includes a front surface 508, a rear surface 510, and at least a first side surface 512 and an opposite second side surface 514. The first and second side surfaces 512, 514 may each extend from the front surface 508 to the rear surface 510, or between the front surface 508 and the rear surface 510. The first and second ends 504, 506 may extend from the first and second side surfaces 512, 514, or between the first side surface 512 and the second side surface 514. The use of the terms “front,” “rear,” “first,” “second,” “top,” and “bottom” is not intended to limit the distal tube weight 500 to a specific orientation, but rather to facilitate the description of relative orientations. Furthermore, the housing 502 is not limited to a rectangular or substantially rectangular structure. Other shapes, including cylindrical or pyramidal structures in particular, may be used for the housing 502 as needed.

[0075] The housing 502 may define a first housing lumen 520 that extends distally from a first end 504 to a point proximal to a second end 506. The first housing lumen 520 may define an opening 524 at the first end 504 of the housing 502 and terminate at a second end 525 proximal to the second end 506 of the housing 502. The cross-sectional shape and / or cross-sectional dimensions of the first housing lumen 520 may change along its length. For example, the first housing lumen 520 may have a first cross-sectional shape having a first cross-sectional dimension 516 adjacent to the first end 504 of the housing 502 and a second cross-sectional shape having a second cross-sectional dimension 518 adjacent to the second end 506 of the housing 502. In the illustrated embodiments, the first cross-sectional shape of the first housing lumen 520 is substantially circular, and the second cross-sectional shape of the first housing lumen 520 may be substantially C-shaped or crescent-shaped. However, the first and / or second cross-sectional shapes may take other shapes as needed. In some embodiments, it is further intended that the first and second cross-sectional shapes may be the same general shape. The second cross-sectional dimension 518 may be smaller than the first cross-sectional dimension 516. The cross-sectional dimensions 516, 518 (and / or cross-sectional shapes) of the first housing lumen 520 may change abruptly or gradually to define the first shoulder or first shelf 526.

[0076] The housing 502 may further define an air outlet 528 extending through the side wall of the housing 502. Although the air outlet 528 is shown to extend through the front wall 508, the air outlet 528 may extend through any desired side wall 508, 510, 512, 514. In yet another embodiment, the air outlet 528 may extend through the second end 506 of the housing 502. The air outlet 528 may include a plurality of openings 530a-e. Although the first air outlet 528 is shown and described as having five openings 530a-e, the first air outlet 528 may have fewer or more openings than five, as needed. The air outlet 528 is configured to be in fluid communication with the first housing lumen 520 and, via the first housing lumen 520, with the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c.

[0077] The one-way valve 532 (Figure 5D) may be located within or adjacent to the first air outlet 528. In some examples, the one-way valve 532 may be a flap valve, but other one-way valves, including those described elsewhere in this specification, may be used as needed. The one-way valve 532 may be configured to allow air to move out of the first housing lumen 520 of the housing 502 and exit through the openings 530a-d, as indicated by arrows 534. For example, air or gas flowing through the first housing lumen 520 can deflect the flap 536 away from the housing 502. However, the one-way valve 532 can prevent air from moving in the reverse direction. This may allow air to enter the reservoir and pressurize it. The one-way valve 532 can also prevent water from entering the first housing lumen 520 of the housing 502. The one-way valve 532 may be coupled to the first air outlet 528 using several techniques, including but not limited to adhesives, glues, sonic welding, and ultrasonic welding. In some cases, the central post 538 of the one-way valve 532 may extend through the central opening 530e to secure the one-way valve 532 to the housing 502, for example by snap fitting or friction fitting.

[0078] The gas supply tube 240c may extend into the first housing lumen 520 of the housing 502, as shown in Figure 5D. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first end of the gas supply tube 240c may abut against the first shelf portion 526. However, this is not required. In some embodiments, the first end of the gas supply tube 240c may be proximal to the first shoulder portion 526. The gas supply tube 240c may be secured to the housing 502 using several techniques, including but not limited to friction fitting, snap fitting, adhesive, and the like. As described above, air from the air pump 215 (or gas from an alternative source) can flow to the reservoir 270 through the connector portion 265 (depending on the location of the gas / water valve 140). As the air leaves the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c, it enters the first housing lumen 520 and exits the housing 502 through the air outlet 528. The one-way valve 532 allows air to enter reservoirs 270, 305, and 405 and pressurize them, but does not allow air to re-enter housing 502 and / or gas supply tube 240c. The first end of gas supply tube 240c and / or air outlet 528 is intended to be positioned proximal to water inlet 542 so that air enters housing 502 and is discharged into reservoir, but does not rise up water supply tube 245c.

[0079] The housing 502 may further include a second housing lumen 522 that may extend distally from a location distal to the first end 504 to the second end 506. In some cases, a portion of the second housing lumen 522 may be defined by a tubular member 540 that extends proximal to the first shoulder 526. However, this is not required. In some embodiments, the second housing lumen 522 may begin at the first shoulder 526 and extend distally from the first shoulder 526. The tubular member 540 may increase in outer diameter distally. This is not required, but the increasing diameter facilitates the coupling between the water supply tube 245c and the tubular member 540.

[0080] The second housing lumen 522 may be configured to fluidly communicate with the water supply tube 245c. In some embodiments, the water supply tube 245c may be positioned to cover the tubular member 540 in order to fluidly couple the lumen of the water supply tube 245c with the second housing lumen 522, as shown in Figure 5D. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first end of the water supply tube 245c may abut the first shoulder 526. However, this is not required. In other embodiments, the first end of the water supply tube 245c may be inserted into the second housing lumen 522. When the water supply tube 245c is fluidly coupled with the second housing lumen 522, the first housing lumen 520 and the second housing lumen 522 are fluidly isolated from each other. The water supply tube 245c may extend through the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c so that only a single opening in the caps 280, 407 is required. The water supply tube 245c may extend through the gas supply tube 240c such that the longitudinal axis of the water supply tube 245c is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the gas supply tube 240c. In other examples, the water supply tube 245c and the gas supply tube 240c may extend coaxially. When the reservoirs 270, 305, and 405 are pressurized, water can enter the housing 502 through the water inlet 542 located at the distal end of the second housing lumen 522. The water then flows proximal through the second housing lumen 522 and into the lumen of the water supply tube 245c, providing a lens cleaning function.

[0081] The housing 502 may be formed from a material having a density greater than that of water. This may allow the housing 502 to function as a weight to prevent the gas supply tube 240c and water supply tube 245c from floating above the reservoirs 270, 305, and 405. The housing 502 may begin with the lumens 520, 522 and openings 530a-e being formed separately from a substantially solid member. For example, the lumens 520, 522 and openings 530a-e may be machined into a substantially solid housing. In other examples, the housing 502 may be formed as a single monolithic structure including the lumens 520, 522 and openings 530a-e.

[0082] Figure 6A shows a perspective view of another exemplary distal tube weight 600 for use with a gas supply tube 240c, a lens cleaning solution tube 245c, and reservoirs 270, 305, and 405. Figure 6B shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the exemplary distal tube weight 600 along line 6B-6B of Figure 6A. Figure 6C shows a top view of the exemplary distal tube weight 600 of Figure 6A. Figure 6D shows a cross-sectional view of the exemplary distal tube weight 600 assembled with the gas supply tube 240c and the water supply tube 245c. The distal tube weight 600 may be configured to house the gas supply tube 240c and the water supply tube 245c within the reservoirs 270, 305, and 405 in a configuration that reduces the complexity of the water bottle cap or top 280, 407 while maintaining the gas supply tube 240c and the water supply tube 245c in the desired shape.

[0083] The distal tube weight 600 includes a housing 602 extending from a first or proximal end 604 to a second or distal end 606. In some cases, the first end 604 may be considered the top of the housing 602, while the second end 606 may be considered the bottom of the housing 602. An exemplary housing 602 may include a first portion 608 having a substantially rectangular prism shape and a second portion 610 having a substantially truncated square pyramidal shape. However, the housing 602 is not limited to a rectangular or substantially rectangular structure or a square pyramidal structure. Other shapes or combinations of shapes, including a cylindrical structure in particular, may be used for the housing 602 as needed. The first portion 608 includes a front surface 612, a rear surface 614, at least a first side surface 646, and an opposite second side surface 648. The first and second sides 646, 648 may each extend from the front 612 to the rear 614, or between the front 612 and the rear 614. The first end 604 may extend from the first and second sides 646, 648, or between the first side 646 and the second side 648. The second portion 610 extends distally from the second end 644 of the first portion 608 and may include multiple faces. The use of the terms “front,” “rear,” “first,” “second,” “top,” and “bottom” is not intended to limit the distal tube weight 600 to a specific orientation, but rather to facilitate the description of relative orientations.

[0084] The housing 602 may define a first housing lumen 620 that extends distally from a first end 604 to a point proximal to a second end 606. The first housing lumen 620 may define an opening 624 at the first end 604 of the housing 602 and terminate at a second end 625 proximal to the second end 606 of the housing 602. The cross-sectional shape and / or cross-sectional dimensions of the first housing lumen 620 may change along its length. For example, the first housing lumen 620 may have a first cross-sectional shape having a first cross-sectional dimension 616 adjacent to the first end 604 of the housing 602, and a second cross-sectional shape having a second cross-sectional dimension 618 adjacent to the second end 606 of the housing 602. In the illustrated embodiment, the first cross-sectional shape of the first housing lumen 620 may be substantially circular, and the second cross-sectional shape of the first housing lumen 620 may be substantially non-circular. In some cases, a portion of the second cross-sectional shape may be semicircular, and a portion of it may have a linearly extending side wall, similar to a portion of a stadium or capsule. However, the first and / or second cross-sectional shapes may take other cross-sectional shapes as needed. In some embodiments, it is further intended that the first and second cross-sectional shapes may be the same general shape. The cross-sectional dimensions 616, 618 (and / or cross-sectional shapes) of the first housing lumen 620 may change abruptly or gradually to define the first shoulder or shoulder 626.

[0085] The housing 602 may further define an air outlet 628 extending through the side walls of the housing 602. Although the air outlet 628 is shown to extend through the front wall 612, the air outlet 628 may extend through any desired side walls 612, 614, 646, 648. In yet another embodiment, the air outlet 628 may extend through the face of a second portion 610 of the housing 606. The air outlet 628 may include a plurality of openings 630a-e. Although the first air outlet 628 is shown and described as having five openings 630a-e, the first air outlet 628 may have fewer or more openings than five, as needed. The air outlet 628 is configured to be in fluid communication with the first housing lumen 620 and, via the first housing lumen 620, to be in fluid communication with the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c.

[0086] The one-way valve 632 (Figure 5D) may be located within or adjacent to the first air outlet 628. In some examples, the one-way valve 632 may be a flap valve, but other one-way valves, including those described elsewhere in this specification, may be used as needed. The one-way valve 632 may be configured to allow air to move out of the first housing lumen 620 of the housing 602 and exit through the openings 630a-d, as indicated by arrows 634. For example, air or gas flowing through the first housing lumen 620 can deflect the flap 636 away from the housing 602. However, the one-way valve 632 can prevent air from moving in the reverse direction. This may allow air to enter the reservoir and pressurize it. The one-way valve 632 can also prevent water from entering the first housing lumen 620 of the housing 602. The one-way valve 632 may be coupled to the first air outlet 628 using several techniques, including but not limited to adhesives, glues, sonic welding, and ultrasonic welding. In some cases, the central post 638 of the one-way valve 632 may extend through the central opening 630e to secure the one-way valve 632 to the housing 602, for example by snap fitting or friction fitting.

[0087] The gas supply tube 240c may extend into the first housing lumen 620 of the housing 602, as shown in Figure 6D. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first end of the gas supply tube 240c may abut against the first shoulder 626. However, this is not required. In some embodiments, the first end of the gas supply tube 240c may be located proximal to the first shoulder 626. The gas supply tube 240c may be secured to the housing 602 using several techniques, including but not limited to friction fitting, snap fitting, adhesive, and the like. As described above, air from the air pump 215 (or gas from an alternative source) can flow through the connector portion 265 to the reservoir 270 (depending on the location of the gas / water valve 140). As the air exits the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c, it enters the first housing lumen 620 and exits the housing 602 through the air outlet 628. The one-way valve 632 allows air to enter reservoirs 270, 305, and 405 and pressurize them, but does not allow air to re-enter housing 602 and / or gas supply tube 240c. The first end of gas supply tube 240c and / or air outlet 628 are intended to be positioned proximal to water inlet 642 so that air enters housing and is discharged into reservoirs, but does not rise up water supply tube 245c.

[0088] The housing 602 may further include a second housing lumen 622 that may extend distally from a first end 623 distal to the first end 604 to a second end 606. In some cases, a portion of the second housing lumen 622 may begin at the second end 625 of the first housing lumen 622. If there is no water supply tube 245c, the second housing lumen 622 may be fluidly coupled to the first housing lumen 620. The second housing lumen 622 may have a different cross-sectional shape and / or cross-sectional dimensions from the second cross-sectional shape and / or cross-sectional dimensions 618 of the first housing lumen 620. For example, the second housing lumen 622 may have a third cross-sectional shape having a third cross-sectional dimension 650. The third cross-sectional shape and / or third cross-sectional dimension 650 may be substantially constant along the length of the second housing lumen 622. However, this is not required. The second housing lumen 622 may have a different cross-sectional shape and / or dimensions as needed. In the illustrated embodiment, the third cross-sectional shape of the second housing lumen 622 may be general. However, the third cross-sectional shape may take other cross-sectional shapes as needed. The third cross-sectional dimension 650 may be smaller than the second cross-sectional dimension 618. However, this is not required. The cross-sectional dimensions 618, 650 (and / or shapes) between the first housing lumen 620 and the second housing lumen 622 may change abruptly or gradually to define a second shoulder or second shelf 652.

[0089] The second housing lumen 622 may be configured to fluidly communicate with the water supply tube 245c. In some embodiments, the water supply tube 245c may be at least partially located within the second housing lumen 622 to fluidly couple the lumen of the water supply tube 245c with the second housing lumen 622, as shown in Figure 6D. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first end of the water supply tube 245c may abut against the second shoulder 650. However, this is not required. When the water supply tube 245c is fluidly coupled with the second housing lumen 622, the first housing lumen 620 and the second housing lumen 622 are fluidly isolated from each other. The water supply tube 245c may extend through the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c so that only a single opening in the caps 280, 407 is required. The water supply tube 245c may extend through the gas supply tube 240c such that its longitudinal axis is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the gas supply tube 240c. In other examples, the water supply tube 245c and the gas supply tube 240c may extend such that their longitudinal axes are laterally offset. When reservoirs 270, 305, and 405 are pressurized, water can enter the housing 602 through the water inlet 642 at the distal end of the second housing lumen 622. The water then flows proximal through the second housing lumen 622 and into the lumen of the water supply tube 245c, providing a lens cleaning function.

[0090] The housing 602 may be formed from a material having a density greater than that of water. This may allow the housing 602 to function as a weight to prevent the gas supply tube 240c and water supply tube 245c from floating above the reservoirs 270, 305, and 405. The housing 602 may begin with the lumens 620, 622 and openings 630a-e being formed separately from a substantially solid member. For example, the lumens 620, 622 and openings 630a-e may be machined into a substantially solid housing. In other examples, the housing 602 may be formed as a single monolithic structure including the lumens 620, 622 and openings 630a-e.

[0091] Figure 7A shows a top perspective view of another exemplary distal tube weight 700 for use with a gas supply tube 240c, a lens cleaning solution tube 245c, and reservoirs 270, 305, and 405. Figure 7B shows a bottom perspective view of the exemplary distal tube weight 700. Figure 7C shows a top view of the exemplary distal tube weight 700 of Figure 7A. Figure 7D shows a cross-sectional view of the exemplary distal tube weight 700 assembled with the gas supply tube 240c and the water supply tube 245c. The distal tube weight 700 may be configured to house the gas supply tube 240c and the water supply tube 245c within the reservoirs 270, 305, and 405 in a configuration that reduces the complexity of the water bottle cap or top 280, 407 while maintaining the gas supply tube 240c and the water supply tube 245c in the desired shape.

[0092] The distal tube weight 700 includes a housing 702 extending from a first or proximal end 704 to a second or distal end 706. In some cases, the first end 704 may be considered the top of the housing 702, while the second end 706 may be considered the bottom of the housing 702. An exemplary housing 702 may have a substantially cylindrical structure. However, the housing 702 is not limited to a cylindrical structure. Other shapes or combinations of shapes, including but not limited to cubic, rectangular, or substantially rectangular, or square pyramidal, may be used for the housing 702, as needed. The housing 702 includes side walls 708 extending circumferentially. In some embodiments, the housing 702 may have a first portion 70 with a substantially constant outer diameter and a second portion 712 with an outer diameter that increases distally. However, this is not mandatory. In some cases, the outer diameter of the housing 702 may be substantially constant from the first end 704 to the second end 706. In yet another embodiment, the outer diameter may increase from the first end 704 to the second end 706, or it may taper.

[0093] The housing 702 may define a first housing lumen 720 that extends distally from a first end 704 to a point proximal to a second end 706. The first housing lumen 720 may define an opening 724 at the first end 704 of the housing 702 and terminate at a second end 725 proximal to the second end 706 of the housing 702. The cross-sectional shape and / or cross-sectional dimensions of the first housing lumen 720 may change along its length. For example, the first housing lumen 720 may have a first cross-sectional shape having a first cross-sectional dimension 716 adjacent to the first end 704 of the housing 702, and a second cross-sectional shape having a second cross-sectional dimension 718 adjacent to the second end 706 of the housing 702. In the illustrated embodiment, the first cross-sectional shape of the first housing lumen 720 may be substantially circular, and the second cross-sectional shape of the first housing lumen 720 may also be substantially circular. However, the first and / or second cross-sectional shapes may take other cross-sectional shapes as needed. In some embodiments, it is further intended that the first and second cross-sectional shapes may be different shapes. The cross-sectional dimensions 716, 718 (and / or cross-sectional shapes) of the first housing lumen 720 may change abruptly or gradually to define the first shoulder or shelf portion 726.

[0094] The housing 702 may further define an air outlet 728 extending through the bottom 706 of the housing 702. However, the air outlet 728 may extend through the side wall 708 if necessary. The air outlet 728 may include a plurality of openings 730a to d. Although the first air outlet 728 is shown and described as having four openings 730a to d, the first air outlet 728 may have fewer or more openings than four, if necessary. The air outlet 728 is configured to be in fluid communication with the first housing lumen 720 and, through the first housing lumen 720, to be in fluid communication with the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c. In some embodiments, at least some of the openings 730a to 730c may extend proximal from the second end 706 to the shoulder 726 to create airflow channels 760a to 760c. The airflow channels 730a to c are intended to form part of the second cross-sectional shape of the first housing lumen 720. In such cases, the second cross-sectional shape may be non-circular.

[0095] The one-way valve 732 (Figure 7D) may be located within or adjacent to the first air outlet 728. In some examples, the one-way valve 732 may be a flap valve, but other one-way valves, including those described elsewhere in this specification, may be used as needed. The one-way valve 732 may be configured to allow air to move out of the first housing lumen 720 of the housing 702 and out through the openings 730a-d, as indicated by arrows 734. For example, air or gas flowing through the first housing lumen 720 can deflect the flap 736 away from the housing 702. However, the one-way valve 732 can prevent air from moving in the reverse direction. This may allow air to enter the reservoir and pressurize it. The one-way valve 732 can also prevent water from entering the first housing lumen 720 of the housing 702. The one-way valve 732 may be coupled to the first air outlet 728 using several techniques, including but not limited to adhesives, glues, sonic welding, and ultrasonic welding. In some cases, the central post 738 of the one-way valve 732 may extend through the central opening 730d to secure the one-way valve 732 to the housing 702, for example by snap fitting or friction fitting.

[0096] The gas supply tube 240c may extend into the first housing lumen 720 of the housing 702, as shown in Figure 7D. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first end of the gas supply tube 240c may abut against the first shoulder 726. However, this is not required. In some embodiments, the first end of the gas supply tube 240c may be located proximal to the first shoulder 726. The gas supply tube 240c may be secured to the housing 702 using several techniques, including but not limited to friction fitting, snap fitting, adhesive, and the like. As described above, air from the air pump 215 (or gas from an alternative source) can flow through the connector portion 265 to the reservoir 270 (depending on the location of the gas / water valve 140). As the air exits the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c, it enters the first housing lumen 720 and exits the housing 702 through the air outlet 728. The one-way valve 732 allows air to enter reservoirs 270, 305, and 405 and pressurize them, but does not allow air to re-enter housing 702 and / or gas supply tube 240c. The first end of gas supply tube 240c and / or air outlet 728 are intended to be positioned proximal to water inlet 742 so that air enters housing and is discharged into reservoirs, but does not rise up water supply tube 245c.

[0097] The housing 702 may further include a notch or recess 768 formed at the first end 704 of the housing 702 in the opening 724. The recess 768 may be curved to provide an introduction mechanism for the gas supply tube 240c and / or the water supply tube 245c. This may help prevent twisting of the gas supply tube 240c and / or the water supply tube 245c.

[0098] The housing 702 may further include a second housing lumen 722 that may extend distally from a first end 723 distal to the first end 704 toward a fluid outlet 742 that extends at least partially through the side wall 708 of the housing 702. The second housing lumen 722 may extend along a longitudinal axis 764 that extends at an angle 766 with respect to the longitudinal axis 762 of the first housing lumen 720. The angle 766 may generally be non-right-angle and may be in the range greater than 0° and less than about 90°. If there is no water supply tube 245c, the second housing lumen 722 may be fluidically coupled to the first housing lumen 720.

[0099] The second housing lumen 722 may be configured to fluidly communicate with the water supply tube 245c. In some embodiments, the water supply tube 245c may be at least partially located within the second housing lumen 722 to fluidly couple the lumen of the water supply tube 245c with the second housing lumen 722, as shown in Figure 7D. When the water supply tube 245c is fluidly coupled with the second housing lumen 722, the first housing lumen 720 and the second housing lumen 722 are fluidly isolated from each other. The water supply tube 245c may extend through the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c so that only a single opening in the caps 280, 407 is required. When the reservoirs 270, 305, 405 are pressurized, water can enter the housing 702 through the water inlet 742 located at the distal end of the second housing lumen 722. Subsequently, the water flows proximally through the second housing lumen 722 and into the lumen of the water supply tube 245c, providing a lens cleaning function.

[0100] The housing 702 may be formed from a material having a density greater than that of water. This may allow the housing 702 to function as a weight to prevent the gas supply tube 240c and water supply tube 245c from floating above the reservoirs 270, 305, and 405. The housing 702 may begin with the lumens 720, 722 and openings 730a-d being formed separately from a substantially solid member. For example, the lumens 720, 722 and openings 730a-d may be machined into a substantially solid housing. In other examples, the housing 702 may be formed as a single monolithic structure including the lumens 720, 722 and openings 730a-d.

[0101] Figure 8A shows a top perspective view of another exemplary distal tube weight 800 for use with a gas supply tube 240c, a lens cleaning solution tube 245c, and reservoirs 270, 305, and 405. Figure 8B shows a perspective cross-section of the exemplary distal tube weight 800 along line 8B-8B of Figure 8A. Figure 8C shows a top view of the exemplary distal tube weight 800 of Figure 8A. Figure 8D shows a bottom view of the exemplary distal tube weight 800 of Figure 8A. Figure 8E shows a cross-section of the exemplary distal tube weight 800 assembled with a gas supply tube 240c and a water supply tube 245c. The distal tube weight 800 may be configured to house the gas supply tube 240c and water supply tube 245c within the reservoirs 270, 305, and 405, in a manner that reduces the complexity of the water bottle cap or top portion 280, 407 while maintaining the gas supply tube 240c and water supply tube 245c in the desired shape.

[0102] The distal tube weight 800 includes a housing 802 extending from a first or proximal end 804 to a second or distal end 806. In some cases, the first end 804 may be considered the top of the housing 802, while the second end 806 may be considered the bottom of the housing 802. An exemplary housing 802 may have a substantially cylindrical structure. However, the housing 802 is not limited to a cylindrical structure. Other shapes or combinations of shapes, including but not limited to cubic, rectangular or substantially rectangular, or square pyramidal structures, may be used for the housing 802 as needed. The housing 802 includes side walls 808 extending in the circumferential direction. In some cases, the outer diameter of the housing 802 may be substantially constant from the first end 804 to the second end 806. In yet another embodiment, the outer diameter may increase or taper from the first end 804 to the second end 806.

[0103] The housing 802 may define a first housing lumen formed from a plurality of channels 820a to d that extend distally from a first end 804 to a second end 806. The annular lumen 824 may be located radially from the channels 820a to d. The annular lumen 824 may extend distally from the first end 804 to a point proximal to the second end 806. The annular lumen 824 may terminate at a shoulder or shelf 826. The annular lumen 824 may be configured to receive the first end of a gas supply tube 240c. However, if the gas supply tube 240c is not present, the annular lumen 824 may be fluidically coupled to the plurality of channels 820a to d. Each of the plurality of channels 820a to d may have a uniform cross-sectional shape from the first end 804 of the housing 802 to the second end 806 of the housing 802. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape and / or cross-sectional dimensions of one or more of the multiple channels 820a to d may vary along their length.

[0104] The housing 802 may further define an air outlet 828 extending through the bottom 806 of the housing 802. The air outlet 828 may be formed by the second ends 830a-d of a plurality of channels 820a-d. Although the first air outlet 828 is shown and described as having four channels 820a-d, the first air outlet 828 may have fewer or more channels 820a-d as needed. The air outlet 828 is configured to be in fluid communication with the plurality of channels 820a-d and also in fluid communication with the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c via the plurality of channels 820a-d.

[0105] The one-way valve 832 (Figure 8E) may be located within or adjacent to the first air outlet 828. In some examples, the one-way valve 832 may be a flap valve, but other one-way valves, including those described elsewhere in this specification, may be used as needed. The one-way valve 832 may be configured to allow air to move from the multiple channels 820a-d of the housing 802 and exit through the second ends 830a-d, as indicated by arrow 834. For example, air or gas flowing through the multiple channels 820a-d can deflect the flap 836 away from the housing 802. However, the one-way valve 832 can prevent air from moving in the reverse direction. This may allow air to enter the reservoir and pressurize it. The one-way valve 832 can also prevent water from entering the multiple channels 820a-d of the housing 802. The one-way valve 832 may be coupled to the first air outlet 828 using several techniques, including but not limited to adhesives, glues, sonic welding, and ultrasonic welding. In some cases, the central post 838 of the one-way valve 832 may extend through the second housing lumen 822 to secure the one-way valve 832 to the housing 802, for example by snap fitting or friction fitting. As described in more detail herein, the central post 838 may define a lumen 870 to allow fluid to enter the second housing lumen 822 and the water supply tube 245c.

[0106] The gas supply tube 240c may extend into the annular lumen 824 of the housing 802, as shown in Figure 8E. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first end of the gas supply tube 240c may abut against the first shoulder 826. However, this is not required. In some embodiments, the first end of the gas supply tube 240c may be proximal to the first shoulder 826. The inner surface of the gas supply tube 240c may be in contact with a body portion of the housing 802, which is generally positioned between a plurality of channels 820a-d. The body portion 821 may be generally solid and configured to fluidly isolate the plurality of channels 820a-d from the second housing lumen 822. The gas supply tube 240c may be fixed to the housing 802 using several techniques, including but not limited to friction fitting, snap fitting, adhesive, and the like. As described above, air from the air pump 215 (or gas from an alternative source) can flow to the reservoir 270 through the connector section 265 (depending on the position of the gas / water valve 140). Once the air exits the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c, it enters several channels 820a-d and exits the housing 802 through the air outlet 728. The one-way valve 832 allows air to enter and pressurize the reservoirs 270, 305, and 405, but does not allow air to re-enter the housing 802 and / or the gas supply tube 240c. The first end of the gas supply tube 240c and / or the air outlet 828 is intended to be positioned relative to the water inlet 842 so that air enters the housing 802 and is discharged into the reservoir, but does not rise up the water supply tube 245c.

[0107] The housing 802 may further include a second housing lumen 822 that may extend distally from a first end 804 of the housing 802 toward a fluid outlet 842 at a second end 806 of the housing 802. The cross-sectional shape and / or cross-sectional dimensions of the second housing lumen 822 may vary along its length. For example, the second housing lumen 822 may have a first cross-sectional shape having a first cross-sectional dimension 872 adjacent to the first end 804 of the housing 802, and a second cross-sectional shape having a second cross-sectional dimension 874 adjacent to the second end 806 of the housing 802. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second cross-sectional shapes of the second housing lumen 822 may be substantially circular. However, the first cross-sectional shape and / or the second cross-sectional shape may take other cross-sectional shapes as needed. The second cross-sectional dimension 874 may be smaller than the first cross-sectional dimension 874. The cross-sectional dimensions 872, 874 (and / or shape) of the second housing lumen 822 may change abruptly or gradually to define the second shoulder or shelf portion 878. In some cases, a portion of the second housing lumen 822 may be defined by a tubular member 876 extending proximal to the second shoulder portion 878. However, this is not required. The tubular member 876 may increase in outer diameter distally. This is not required, but the increasing diameter facilitates the connection between the water supply tube 245c and the tubular member 876.

[0108] The second housing lumen 822 may be configured to fluidly communicate with the water supply tube 245c. In some embodiments, the water supply tube 245c may be positioned to cover the tubular member 876 in order to fluidly couple the lumen of the water supply tube 245c with the second housing lumen 822, as shown in Figure 8E. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first end of the water supply tube 245c may abut against the second shoulder 878. However, this is not required. In other embodiments, the first end of the water supply tube 245c may be inserted into the tubular member 876. Once the water supply tube 245c is fluidly coupled with the second housing lumen 822, the multiple channels 820a-d and the second housing lumen 822 are fluidly isolated from each other. The water supply tube 245c may extend through the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c so that only a single opening in the caps 280, 407 is required. The water supply tube 245c may extend through the gas supply tube 240c such that its longitudinal axis is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the gas supply tube 240c. In other examples, the water supply tube 245c and the gas supply tube 240c may extend such that their longitudinal axes are laterally offset. When reservoirs 270, 305, and 405 are pressurized, water can enter the housing 802 through the water inlet 842 located at the distal end of the second housing lumen 822. The water can then flow through the lumen 870 of the valve 832 into the lumen of the water supply tube 245c to provide a lens cleaning function.

[0109] The housing 802 may be formed from a material having a density greater than that of water. This may allow the housing 802 to function as a weight to prevent the gas supply tube 240c and water supply tube 245c from floating above the reservoirs 270, 305, and 405. The housing 802 may begin with the multiple channels 820a-d and lumens 822, 824 being formed separately from a substantially solid member. For example, the multiple channels 820a-d and lumens 822, 824 may be machined into a substantially solid housing. In other examples, the housing 802 may be formed as a single monolithic structure including the multiple channels 820a-d and lumens 822, 824.

[0110] Figure 9A shows a top perspective view of another exemplary distal tube weight 900 for use with a gas supply tube 240c, a lens cleaning solution tube 245c, and reservoirs 270, 305, and 405. Figure 9B shows a perspective cross-section of the exemplary distal tube weight 900 along line 9B-9B in Figure 9A. Figure 9C shows a top view of the exemplary distal tube weight 900 in Figure 9A. Figure 9D shows a bottom view of the exemplary distal tube weight 900 in Figure 9A. Figure 9E shows a cross-section of the exemplary distal tube weight 900 assembled with a gas supply tube 240c and a water supply tube 245c. The distal tube weight 900 may be configured to house the gas supply tube 240c and water supply tube 245c within the reservoirs 270, 305, and 405, in a manner that reduces the complexity of the water bottle cap or top portion 290, 407 while maintaining the gas supply tube 240c and water supply tube 245c in the desired shape.

[0111] The distal tube weight 900 includes a housing 902 extending from a first or proximal end 904 to a second or distal end 906. In some cases, the first end 904 may be considered the top of the housing 902, while the second end 906 may be considered the bottom of the housing 902. An exemplary housing 902 may have a substantially cylindrical structure. However, the housing 902 is not limited to a cylindrical structure. Other shapes or combinations of shapes, including but not limited to cubic, rectangular or substantially rectangular, or square pyramidal structures, may be used for the housing 902 as needed. The housing 902 includes side walls 908 extending in the circumferential direction. In some cases, the outer diameter of the housing 902 may be substantially constant from the first end 904 to the second end 906. In yet another embodiment, the outer diameter may increase or taper from the first end 904 to the second end 906.

[0112] The housing 902 may define a first housing lumen 920, which includes a first portion 916 and a second portion 918 containing a plurality of channels 910a to d. The first housing lumen 920 may extend distally from a first end 904 to a second end 906 of the housing 902. The cross-sectional shape and / or cross-sectional dimensions of the first housing lumen 920 may change along its length. For example, the first portion 916 of the first housing lumen 920 may have a first cross-sectional shape having a first cross-sectional dimension adjacent to the first end 904 of the housing 902, and the second portion 918 may have a second cross-sectional shape having a second cross-sectional dimension adjacent to the second end 906 of the housing 902. In the illustrated embodiment, the first cross-sectional shape of the first housing lumen 920 may be substantially circular, and the second cross-sectional shape of the first housing lumen 920 may have a plurality of curved oval shapes. However, the first and / or second cross-sectional shapes may take other cross-sectional shapes as needed. In some embodiments, it is further intended that the first and second cross-sectional shapes may be the same general shape. The second cross-sectional dimension may be smaller than the first cross-sectional dimension. The first portion 916 of the first housing lumen 920 may transition abruptly into the second portion 918 of the first housing lumen 920 to define the first shelf or shoulder portion 926. The first portion 916 of the first housing lumen 920 may be configured to receive the gas supply tube 240c. Each of the multiple channels 910a to d may have a uniform cross-sectional shape from the first shoulder portion 926 of the housing 902 to the second end 906 of the housing 902. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape and / or cross-sectional dimension of one or more of the multiple channels 910a to d may vary along their length.

[0113] The housing 902 may further define an air outlet 928 extending through the bottom 906 of the housing 902. The air outlet 928 may be formed by the second ends 930a-d of a plurality of channels 910a-d. Although the first air outlet 928 is shown and described as having four channels 910a-d, the first air outlet 928 may have fewer or more channels 910a-d as needed. The air outlet 928 is configured to be in fluid communication with the plurality of channels 910a-d and, through the plurality of channels 910a-d and / or the first housing lumen 920, to be in fluid communication with the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c.

[0114] The one-way valve 932 (Figure 9E) may be located within or adjacent to the first air outlet 928. In some examples, the one-way valve 932 may be a flap valve, but other one-way valves, including those described elsewhere in this specification, may be used as needed. The one-way valve 932 may be configured to allow air to move from the multiple channels 910a-d of the housing 902 and exit through the second ends 930a-d, as indicated by arrows 934. For example, air or gas flowing through the multiple channels 910a-d can deflect the flap 936 away from the housing 902. However, the one-way valve 932 can prevent air from moving in the reverse direction. This may allow air to enter the reservoir and pressurize it. The one-way valve 932 can also prevent water from entering the multiple channels 910a-d of the housing 902. The one-way valve 932 may be coupled to the first air outlet 928 using several techniques, including but not limited to adhesives, glues, sonic welding, and ultrasonic welding. In some cases, the central post 938 of the one-way valve 932 may extend through the second housing lumen 922 to secure the one-way valve 932 to the housing 902, for example by snap fitting or friction fitting. As described in more detail herein, the central post 938 may define a lumen 970 to allow fluid to enter the second housing lumen 922 and the water supply tube 245c.

[0115] The gas supply tube 240c may extend into the first portion 916 of the first housing lumen 920 of the housing 902, as shown in Figure 9E. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first end of the gas supply tube 240c may abut against the first shoulder 926. Since the housing 902 does not include a physical structure for fluidly isolating the gas supply tube 240c and the water supply tube 245c, the distal surface of the gas supply tube 240c may be fixed to the shoulder 926 to provide an airtight seal to ensure that air does not leak into the water supply tube 245c. The gas supply tube 240c may be fixed to the housing 902 using several techniques, including but not limited to friction fitting, snap fitting, adhesive, and the like. As described above, air from the air pump 215 (or gas from an alternative source) can flow to the reservoir 270 through the connector portion 265 (depending on the location of the gas / water valve 140). As air exits the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c, it enters multiple channels 910a-d and exits the housing 902 via the air outlet 728. The one-way valve 932 allows air to enter and pressurize the reservoirs 270, 305, and 405, but does not allow air to re-enter the housing 902 and / or the gas supply tube 240c. The first end of the gas supply tube 240c and / or the air outlet 928 are intended to be positioned relative to the water inlet 942 so that air enters the housing 902 and is discharged into the reservoir, but does not rise up the water supply tube 245c.

[0116] The housing 902 may further include a second housing lumen 922 that may extend distally from a location distal to the first end 904 to the water inlet 942 of the second end 906. In some cases, a portion of the second housing lumen 922 may be defined by a tubular member 976 that extends proximal to the second shoulder 978. However, this is not required. The tubular member 976 may increase in outer diameter distally. This is not required, but the increasing diameter facilitates the connection between the water supply tube 245c and the tubular member 976.

[0117] The second housing lumen 922 may be configured to fluidly communicate with the water supply tube 245c. In some embodiments, the water supply tube 245c may be positioned to cover the tubular member 976 to fluidly couple the lumen of the water supply tube 245c with the second housing lumen 922, as shown in Figure 9E. The distal end of the water supply tube 245c may be fixed to the second shoulder 978 to provide a fluid and airtight seal to ensure that water does not leak into the gas supply tube 240c. In other embodiments, the first end of the water supply tube 245c may be inserted into the tubular member 976. When the water supply tube 245c is fluidly coupled with the second housing lumen 922, the first housing lumen 920 and the second housing lumen 922 are fluidly isolated from each other. The water supply tube 245c may extend through the lumen of the gas supply tube 240c so that only a single opening in the caps 290, 407 is required. The water supply tube 245c may extend through the gas supply tube 240c such that its longitudinal axis is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the gas supply tube 240c. In other examples, the water supply tube 245c and the gas supply tube 240c may extend such that their longitudinal axes are laterally offset. When reservoirs 270, 305, and 405 are pressurized, water can enter the housing 902 through the water inlet 942 located at the distal end of the second housing lumen 922. The water can then flow through the lumen 970 of the valve 932 into the lumen of the water supply tube 245c to provide a lens cleaning function.

[0118] The housing 902 may further include a plurality of posts 980a-d arranged radially apart from the tubular member 976. The posts 980a-d may extend proximal to the second end 906 of the housing 906. The posts may be configured to support the water supply tube 245c in order to maintain its position. For example, the posts 980a-d may have surfaces configured to contact and conform to the outer surface of the water supply tube 245c. Although the housing 902 is shown as including four posts 980a-d, the housing 902 may include fewer or more than four posts as needed.

[0119] The housing 902 may be formed from a material having a density greater than that of water. This may allow the housing 902 to function as a weight to prevent the gas supply tube 240c and water supply tube 245c from floating above the reservoirs 270, 305, and 405. The housing 902 may begin with the multiple channels 910a-d and lumens 920, 922 being formed separately from a substantially solid member. For example, the multiple channels 910a-d and lumens 920, 922 may be machined into a substantially solid housing. In other examples, the housing 902 may be formed as a single monolithic structure including the multiple channels 910a-d and lumens 920, 922.

[0120] Figure 10 shows a side view of an exemplary refillable fluid reservoir 1000. The reservoir 1000 may be configured for use within an endoscope system and includes components similar to those of the endoscope and endoscope system described with respect to Figures 1 to 4, although not all features can be described or illustrated herein if they are not related to the fluid circuit of the system. The reservoir 1000 may be configured to connect to the gas supply tube 240c and the water supply tube 245c in a manner that reduces the complexity of water bottle caps or tops 280, 407 while maintaining the gas supply tube 240c and the water supply tube 245c in a desired shape.

[0121] The reservoir 1000 includes a container 1002 defining a first receptacle 1004 configured to hold a fluid 1034. The container 1002 may be formed from a lightweight, flexible material such as, but not limited to, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), silicone, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), aluminum, nylon, polyethylene (PE), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the container 1002 may be entirely translucent, entirely opaque, or a combination thereof. The reservoir 1000 may further include a port 1006 having a removable cap 1008. The cap 1008 may be formed from a more rigid material (relative to the container 1002) and may be configured to form a fluid-sealing seal with the port 1006. The cap 1008 may be configured to engage screwably with the port 1006, form a friction fit with the port 1006, form a snap fit with the port 1006, or otherwise engage releasably with the port 1006. In some examples, the port 1006 and / or the cap 1008 may be formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and the like. A portion of the port 1006 may extend into the first receptacle 1004. The removable cap 1008 can be removed to selectively fluidize the fluid source to the first receptacle 1004 and to allow fluid to be injected into the first receptacle 1004 through the lumen 1010 of the port 1006.

[0122] The reservoir 1000 may include a carrying handle 1012 positioned adjacent to the top 1014 of the reservoir 1000. The handle 1012 may define an opening or through-hole 1016 for receiving a hand or hook to carry the reservoir 1000. In some cases, the carrying handle 1012 may include a ridged carrying surface (not explicitly shown) configured to provide a more ergonomic grip for the user. The handle 1012 is intended to be formed from the same material as the cap 1008 or container 1002, if necessary. In some examples, the handle 1012 may be formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and the like.

[0123] The reservoir 1000 may be movable between a folded storage configuration (not explicitly shown) and an extended usage configuration (Figure 10). In the extended usage configuration, the reservoir 1000 may increase in width from the top 1014 to the bottom 1022. In the usage configuration, the bottom 1022 may have a width that allows the reservoir 1000 to maintain an upright position without user intervention. The bottom 1022 may include folds or pleats that allow the bottom 1022 to be folded or folded. In the folded storage configuration, the top 1014 and bottom 1022 may have similar widths that allow the reservoir 1000 to be substantially flat so that it can be stacked with other fluid reservoirs 1000. In other examples, the reservoir 1000 may be rolled up or folded to reduce the amount of storage space it occupies. In some cases, since reservoir 1000 is sealed or can be sealed, vacuuming may be performed during packaging of reservoir 1000 to further reduce the storage space required to store reservoir 1000.

[0124] The reservoir 1000 may be connected to a gas supply tube / alternative gas supply tube (or gas supply tube) 240c and a lens cleaning fluid supply tube / irrigation supply tube 245c (or water supply tube 245c) to fluidize. The gas supply tube 240c extends from a second end outside the reservoir 1000 to a first end coupled to a coupling mechanism or adapter 1018. A lumen extends through the gas supply tube 240c to receive air and / or gas flow. The lumen of the gas supply tube 240c is operably fluidized to the interior of the reservoir 1000. The adapter 1018 may be positioned adjacent to the top 1014 of the container 1002; however, this is not required. The adapter 1018 may be positioned at any desired location. The adapter 1018 is configured to fluidize the gas supply tube to an internal chamber 1020 located within the first receptacle 1004. The internal chamber 1020 is formed from the same material as the container 1002 and may form a separate chamber from the first receptacle 1004. In some embodiments, the edge 1024 of the internal chamber 1020 may be heat-sealed to the first receptacle 1004 to maintain the orientation of the internal chamber 1020 relative to the first receptacle 1004. The internal chamber 1020 may further include a hydrophobic membrane 1026. During use, the hydrophobic membrane 1026 prevents water from flowing into the internal chamber 1020 while allowing air / gas to pass from the internal chamber 1020 to the first receptacle 1004, as indicated by arrow 1036, to pressurize the first receptacle 1004.

[0125] The water supply tube 245c extends from a second end outside the reservoir 1000 to a first end coupled to a second coupling mechanism or adapter 1032. The second adapter 1032 may be positioned adjacent to the bottom 1022 of the container 1002 so that fluid flows easily from the first receptacle to the water supply tube 245c when the container 1002 is pressurized. As indicated by arrow 1038, the lumen extends through the water supply tube 245c to receive the fluid flow. The lumen of the lens cleaning fluid supply tube / irrigation supply tube 245c is selectively operable fluid communication with the bottom of the container 1002. In the illustrated embodiment, the gas supply tube 240c and the water supply tube 245c may enter the container 1002 through separate adapters 1018, 1032. However, in some embodiments, the water supply tube 245c may enter through other parts of the container 1002, such as the top 1014, though this is not limited to the water supply tube 245c. In such cases, the water supply tube 245c may include an immersion tube that extends to the bottom 1022 of the container 1002.

[0126] A portion of the gas supply tube 240c and a portion of the water supply tube 245c may extend from the container 1002 and be connected to the endoscope via fluid communication at the gas connection / lens cleaning fluid connection on the connector portion 265 of the umbilical. A portion of the gas supply tube 240c is connected via fluid communication to a gas pump (not explicitly shown) and a gas delivery line (not explicitly shown), and a portion of the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 245c is connected via fluid communication to a lens cleaning delivery line (not explicitly shown) within the connector portion 265. Although not explicitly shown, an irrigation supply tube may be connected to the container 1002 via a separate adapter or port to supply irrigation fluid from the reservoir 1000.

[0127] Reservoir 1000 is intended to be filled and refilled as needed by removing the cap 1008 and pouring water into the first receptacle 1004. Refilling of reservoir 1000 may be done during or between procedures as needed. The water may be sterile or non-sterile as needed. For example, sterile water may be used for therapeutic procedures, while non-sterile water may be used for diagnostic procedures. Refilling reservoir 1000 with sterile or non-sterile water is intended to provide more flexibility and reduce the need to have a large amount of sterile water on hand during storage. Furthermore, refilling reservoir 1000 via port 1006 and the removable cap 1008 may also eliminate or significantly reduce the possibility of cross-contamination by eliminating the need to remove reservoir 1000 from tubes 240c, 245c throughout the day and eliminating the need to change water containers.

[0128] Figure 11A shows a side view of another exemplary refillable fluid reservoir 1100 and tubing set. The reservoir 1100 may be configured for use in an endoscope system and includes components similar to those of the endoscope and endoscope system described with respect to Figures 1 to 4, although not all features can be described or illustrated herein if they are not related to the fluid circuit of the system. The reservoir 1100 may be configured to connect to the gas supply tube 240c and the water supply tube 245c in a configuration that reduces the complexity of water bottle caps or tops 280, 407 while maintaining the gas supply tube 240c and the water supply tube 245c in a desired shape.

[0129] The reservoir 1100 includes a container 1102 defining a first receptacle 1104 configured to hold a fluid 1134. The container 1102 may be formed from a lightweight, flexible material such as, but not limited to, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), silicone, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), aluminum, nylon, polyethylene (PE), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the container 1102 may be entirely translucent, entirely opaque, or a combination thereof. The reservoir 1100 may further include a port 1106 having a removable cap 1108. The cap 1108 may be formed from a more rigid material (relative to the container 1102) and may be configured to form a fluid-sealed seal with the port 1106. The cap 1108 may be configured to engage screwably with the port 1106, form a friction fit with the port 1106, form a snap fit with the port 1106, or otherwise engage releasably with the port 1106. In some examples, the port 1106 and / or the cap 1108 may be formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and the like. A portion of the port 1106 may extend into the first receptacle 1104. The removable cap 1108 can be removed to selectively fluidize the fluid source to the first receptacle 1104 so that fluid is injected into the first receptacle 1104 through the lumen 1110 of the port 1106.

[0130] The reservoir 1100 may include a carrying handle 1112 positioned adjacent to the top 1114 of the reservoir 1100. The handle 1112 may define an opening or through-hole 1116 for receiving a hand or hook to carry the reservoir 1100. In some cases, the carrying handle 1112 may include a ridged carrying surface configured to provide a more ergonomic grip for the user. In some embodiments, the handle 1112 may be formed from a container 1102. For example, both sides of the container 1112 may be heat-sealed at desired positions on the handle 1112. The opening 1116 may then be formed by removing a portion of the heat-sealed area. In other embodiments, the handle 1112 may be formed separately from a cap 1108 or a material similar to the container 1102 and bonded to the container 1112, as needed. In some examples, the handle 1112 may be formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and the like.

[0131] The reservoir 1100 may be movable between a folded storage configuration (not explicitly shown) and an extended usage configuration (Figure 11A). In the extended usage configuration, the reservoir 1100 may increase in width from the top 1114 to the bottom 1122. In the usage configuration, the bottom 1122 may have a width 1128 that allows the reservoir 1100 to maintain an upright position without user intervention. The bottom 1122 may include folds or pleats that allow the bottom 1122 to be folded or folded. In the folded storage configuration, the top 1114 and bottom 1122 may have similar widths that allow the reservoir 1100 to be substantially flat so that it can be stacked with other fluid reservoirs 1100. In other examples, the reservoir 1100 may be rolled up or folded to reduce the amount of storage space it occupies. In some cases, since the reservoir 1100 is sealed or can be sealed, vacuuming may be performed during packaging of the reservoir 1100 to further reduce the storage space required to store the reservoir 1100.

[0132] The reservoir 1100 may be connected to a gas supply tube / alternative gas supply tube (or gas supply tube) 240c and a lens cleaning fluid supply tube / irrigation supply tube 245c (or water supply tube 245c) to fluidize. The gas supply tube extends from a second end outside the reservoir 1100 to a first end coupled to a coupling mechanism or adapter 1118. A lumen extends through the gas supply tube 240c to receive air and / or gas flow. The lumen of the gas supply tube 240c is operably fluidized to the interior of the reservoir 1100. The adapter 1118 may be positioned adjacent to the top 1114 of the container 1102; however, this is not required. The adapter 1118 may be positioned at any desired location. The adapter 1118 is configured to fluidize the gas supply tube to an internal channel 1120 located within the first receptacle 1104. The internal channel 1120 may extend distally from a first end adjacent to the top 1114 of the vessel to a second end. The internal channel 1120 may be formed from the same material as the vessel 1102 and may form a subchamber within the first receptacle 1104. In some embodiments, the sides of the vessel 1102 may be heat-sealed at the edges 1124 of the internal channel 1120 so that the internal channel 1120 is formed from the vessel 1102. The internal channel 1120 may further include a flow control mechanism 1126 located at the second end to control the flow of gas through the internal channel 1120 and to prevent water 1134 from entering the internal channel 1120. Some exemplary flow control mechanisms 1126 may include, but are not limited to, a duckbill valve, an umbrella valve, or a hydrophobic membrane. The flow control mechanism 1126 is configured to allow air / gas to pass from the internal channel 1120 to the first receptacle 1104 and pressurize the first receptacle 1104, while preventing water from flowing into the internal channel 1120 and / or the gas supply tube 240c.

[0133] Figure 11B is an enlarged view of area B in Figure 11A, showing the internal channel 1120 with a heat-fused edge 1124 formed thereon. In Figure 11B, the bottom 1122 of the container 1102 is not shown in order to show in more detail how the sides of the container 1102 are joined together to form the internal channel 1120. As can be seen in Figure 11B, the sides 1102a and 1102b of the container 1102 are joined together and heat-fused to form the channel 1120. It is intended that other methods may be used to fasten the sides 1102a and 1102b together, if necessary. The flow control mechanism 1126 may be fixed within the internal channel 1120 at the second end of the internal channel 1120.

[0134] Returning to Figure 11A, the water supply tube 245c extends from a second end outside the reservoir 1100 to a first end connected to a second coupling mechanism or adapter 1132. The second adapter 1132 may be positioned adjacent to the bottom 1122 of the container 1102 so that fluid flows easily from the first receptacle to the water supply tube 245c when the container 1102 is pressurized. A lumen extends through the water supply tube 245c to receive the fluid flow. The lumen of the lens cleaning fluid supply tube / irrigation supply tube 245c is selectively operable fluid communication with the bottom of the container 1102. In the illustrated embodiment, the gas supply tube 240c and the water supply tube 245c may enter the container 1102 through separate adapters 1118, 1132. However, in some embodiments, the water supply tube 245c may enter through other parts of the container 1102, such as the top 1114 of the container 1102, but is not limited to these. In such cases, the water supply tube 245c may include an immersion tube that extends to the bottom 1122 of the container 1102.

[0135] A portion of the gas supply tube 240c and a portion of the water supply tube 245c may extend from the container 1102 and be connected to the endoscope via fluid communication at the gas connection / lens cleaning fluid connection on the connector portion 265 of the umbilical. A portion of the gas supply tube 240c is connected via fluid communication to a gas pump (not explicitly shown) and a gas delivery line (not explicitly shown), and a portion of the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 245c is connected via fluid communication to a lens cleaning fluid delivery line (not explicitly shown) within the connector portion 265. Although not explicitly shown, an irrigation supply tube may be connected to the container 1102 via a separate adapter or port to supply irrigation fluid from the reservoir 1100.

[0136] Reservoir 1100 is intended to be filled and refilled as needed by removing the cap 1108 and pouring water into the first receptacle 1104. Refilling of reservoir 1100 may be done during or between procedures as needed. The water may be sterile or non-sterile as needed. For example, sterile water may be used for therapeutic procedures, while non-sterile water may be used for diagnostic procedures. Refilling reservoir 1100 with sterile or non-sterile water is intended to provide more flexibility and reduce the need to have a large amount of sterile water on hand during storage. Furthermore, refilling reservoir 1100 via port 1106 and removable cap 1108 may also eliminate or significantly reduce the possibility of cross-contamination by eliminating the need to remove reservoir 1100 from tubes 240c, 245c throughout the day and eliminating the need to change water containers.

[0137] Figure 12 shows another exemplary reservoir 1200 for use with an endoscope system. Reservoir 1200 is positioned and configured to distribute fluid to the endoscope system. The system other than reservoir 1200 includes components similar to those of the endoscope and endoscope system described with respect to Figures 1 to 4, but not all features can be described or illustrated herein if they are not related to the fluid circuit of the system.

[0138] The fluid container 1202 is shown together with the reservoir top or cap 1204, which may be detachably attached to the top 1206 of the container 1202 (for example, in a bottle and threaded cap configuration). The cap 1204 may be detachably attached to replenish the fluid in the reservoir when the reservoir is empty. Alternatively, the reservoir bottom and cap 1204 may be sealed to each other, or they may be manufactured as a single, one-piece body (for example, a sealed, single-structure rigid or semi-rigid bottle or something like a softer IV bag or pouch). In such embodiments, a filling port may be provided in another part of the reservoir for replenishing the fluid.

[0139] The gas supply tube 1210 extends from a second end outside the container 1202 to a first end 1212 adjacent to the bottom 1208 of the container 1202. The gas supply tube 1210 may extend into the container 1202 through the opening 1220 of the cap 1204 so that the gas supply tube 1210 is in fluid communication with the inside 1214 of the container. A gasket or sealing member (not explicitly shown) may be placed in the opening 1220 to provide an airtight seal between the gas supply tube 1210 and the cap 1204. The lumen 1216 extends through the gas supply tube 1210 to receive the flow of air and / or gas. The first end 1212 of the gas supply tube 1210 may include a sealing member 1226. The sealing member 1226 can prevent gas from escaping from the first end 1212 of the gas supply tube 1210. Furthermore, the sealing member 1226 may be configured to function as a weight to maintain the first end 1212 of the gas supply tube 1210 at or near the bottom 1208 of the container 1202.

[0140] The sidewall of the gas supply tube 1210 may be configured to allow gas to pass from the lumen 1216 of the gas supply tube 1210 into the container 1202, while preventing water from flowing from the container into the second lumen. For example, the gas supply tube 1210 may include a plurality of openings 1228 extending through the sidewall of the gas supply tube 1210. The openings 1228 may extend from the outer surface to the inner surface of the gas supply tube 1210 to fluidly connect the lumen 1216 with the interior 1214 of the container 1202. The plurality of openings 1228 may be sized such that air can flow from the lumen 1216 of the gas supply tube 1210 into the interior 1214 of the container 1202, but the surface tension of water is sufficient to prevent water from entering the lumen 1216. In some cases, the plurality of openings 1228 may be considered pinholes. The gas supply tube 1210 is intended to include any desired number of openings 1228. For example, the gas supply tube 1210 may include one or more, five or more, ten or more, twenty or more, or fifty or more openings 1228. Furthermore, the multiple openings 1228 may be distributed uniformly or eccentrically with respect to the circumference and / or length of the gas supply tube 1210. In some embodiments, the gas supply tube 1210 may be formed from an elastomer or deformable material such that the size of the multiple openings 1228 expands as the air pressure increases in the lumen 1216 and decreases as the air pressure decreases in the lumen 1216. Some exemplary materials for the gas supply tube 1210, but not limited to, may include low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc. In yet another embodiment, the multiple openings 1228 may be gaps between filaments of a finely woven mesh.

[0141] The water supply tube 1218 may be coaxially positioned within the lumen 1216 of the gas supply tube 1210. The water supply tube 1218 extends from a second end outside the container 1202 to a first end adjacent to the bottom 1208 of the container 1202. The first end 1222 of the water supply tube 1218 and the first end 1212 of the gas supply tube 1210 may be positioned similarly within the container 1202. The first end 1222 of the water supply tube 1218 is operably fluidized to the interior 1214 of the container 1202. The lumen 1224 extends through the water supply tube 1218 to receive the fluid flow through the lumen 1224. However, since the first end 1212 of the gas supply tube 1210 is closed, water is prevented from entering the gas supply tube 1210. The second ends of the gas supply tube 1210 and the water supply tube 1218 may be connected to the manifold (if provided) or connector portion 265 of the endoscope system.

[0142] Figure 13A shows a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary fluid reservoir 1300 in a first embodiment, and Figure 13B shows a schematic side view of the exemplary reservoir 1300 of Figure 13A in a second embodiment. The reservoir 1300 may be configured for use in an endoscope system and includes components similar to those of the endoscope and endoscope system described with respect to Figures 1 to 4, but not all features can be described or illustrated herein if they are not related to the fluid circuit of the system. In the illustrated embodiments, other means for carrying out air supply may be required.

[0143] The reservoir 1300 may include an external container 1302 configured to hold the first fluid chamber 1304. The gas supply tube 240c extends from a second end outside the reservoir 1300 to a first end adjacent to an opening 1310 inside the external container 1302, so that the gas supply tube 240c is in fluid communication with the inside of the external container 1302 or with the cavity 1312. A lumen extends through the gas supply tube 240c to receive a flow of air and / or gas. The external container 1302 fluidly isolates the air / gas received from the gas supply tube 240c from the water 1314 in the first chamber 1304. The external container 1302 may be rigid so that it resists expansion and increases the pressure in the cavity 1312 as air / gas flows into the cavity 1312 along the flow path 1316. In the absence of a positive airflow, the pressure within the cavity 1312 may dissipate or be maintained. The outer container 1302 is intended to include a one-way valve located at or adjacent to the inlet of the cavity 1312. Examples of one-way valves include the various check valves described above. The one-way valve can prevent air from flowing out of the outer container 1302 even in the absence of a positive airflow.

[0144] A lens cleaning fluid supply tube or shared water supply tube 245c (for example, supplying water for both lens cleaning and irrigation) extends from a second end outside the reservoir 1300 to a first end adjacent to the opening 1320 inside the first chamber 1304, so that the water supply tube 245c is operably fluidly communicating with the interior of the first chamber 1304 or the cavity 1322. The water supply tube 245c may also extend through the gas supply tube 240c so that the longitudinal axis of the water supply tube 245c is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the gas supply tube 240c. In other examples, the water supply tube 245c and the gas supply tube 240c may extend so that their longitudinal axes are laterally offset. The lumen extends through the water supply tube 245c to receive the fluid flow. As air enters the outer container 1302, the pressure in the cavity 1312 of the outer container 1302 increases, as shown in Figure 13B, and pressure is applied to the first chamber 1304. As the pressure in the outer container 1302 increases, the first chamber 1304 is compressed, and the water 1314 in the first chamber 1304 is discharged to the endoscope by rising through the water supply tube 245c for lens cleaning and / or irrigation.

[0145] The first chamber 1304 may be formed from a lightweight, flexible material that is not necessarily stretchable, such as, but not limited to, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), silicone, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), aluminum, nylon, polyethylene (PE), or a combination thereof.

[0146] A portion of the gas supply tube 240c and a portion of the water supply tube 245c may be connected to the endoscope via fluid communication at the gas connection / lens cleaning fluid connection on the connector portion 265 of the umbilical. The gas supply tube 240c is connected via fluid communication to a gas pump (not explicitly shown) and a gas supply line (not explicitly shown) within the connector portion 265, and the water supply tube 245c is connected via fluid communication to a lens cleaning fluid supply line (not explicitly shown). In some examples, the gas supply tube 240c may include a manifold for fluidically coupling a portion of the gas supply tube 240c. Similarly, the lens cleaning fluid supply tube 245c may include a manifold for fluidically coupling a portion of the lens cleaning fluid supply tube with a shared lens cleaning / irrigation (or water) supply tube 245c. Although not explicitly shown, an irrigation supply tube may be coupled to the manifold to supply irrigation fluid from the reservoir 1300, if provided. In other cases, a separate irrigation supply tube may be provided.

[0147] As can be understood, the lengths of the irrigation, lens cleaning solution, gas supply, and alternative gas supply tubes may have any preferred size (e.g., diameter). In addition, the size (e.g., diameter) of the tubes may vary depending on the application. In one non-limiting embodiment, the irrigation supply tube may have an inner diameter of about 6.5 mm and an outer diameter of 9.7 mm. The lens cleaning solution supply tube may have an inner diameter of about 5 mm and an outer diameter of 8 mm. The gas supply tube may have an inner diameter of about 2 mm and an outer diameter of 3.5 mm. The alternative gas supply tube may have an inner diameter of about 5 mm and an outer diameter of 8 mm.

[0148] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed devices without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Other embodiments of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the consideration herein and the practice of the invention disclosed herein. This specification and examples are for illustrative purposes only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are intended to be shown by the following claims.

[0149] All apparatus and methods described herein are examples of apparatus and / or methods implemented in accordance with one or more principles of this disclosure. These examples are merely illustrative and not the only ways of implementing these principles. Accordingly, references to elements, structures, or features in the drawings should be understood as references to examples of embodiments of this disclosure and should not be understood as limiting this disclosure to specific elements, structures, or features illustrated. Other examples of ways of implementing the disclosed principles will be conceivable to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure.

[0150] In the foregoing description and the following claims, it will be understood that: The terms “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and / or” as used herein are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in function. The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of those entities. Thus, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, top, bottom, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, rear, top, bottom, up, down, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, counterclockwise, etc.) are used solely for identification purposes to aid the reader’s understanding of this disclosure and / or to distinguish areas of related elements from one another, and do not limit the elements relevant in particular with respect to the location, orientation, or use of this disclosure. References to connections (e.g., attached, joined, connected, and joined) should be interpreted broadly and, unless otherwise indicated, may include intermediate members between sets of elements and relative movement between elements. Therefore, references to connections do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected and have a fixed relationship with one another. References to identifications (e.g., primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) are not intended to imply importance or priority, but are used to distinguish one feature from another.

[0151] The foregoing description is provided for illustrative and explanatory purposes and is not intended to limit the disclosure to one or more forms disclosed herein. It will be understood that various additions, modifications, and substitutions can be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the concepts, spirit, and scope of the disclosure. In particular, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the principles of the disclosure can be embodied in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, and with other elements, materials, and components without departing from the concepts, spirit, scope, or characteristics thereof. For example, various features of the disclosure can be grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. However, it should be understood that various features of a particular aspect, embodiment, or configuration of the disclosure can be combined in alternative aspects, embodiments, or configurations. It will be understood to those skilled in the art that the disclosure can be used with many modifications, such as structures, arrangements, proportions, materials, and components used in the implementation of the disclosure, that are particularly suited to specific environmental and operating requirements without departing from the principles of the disclosure. For example, an element shown as being formed as a whole may consist of multiple parts, or an element shown as multiple parts may be formed as a whole; the operation of an element may be reversed or otherwise modified; the size or dimensions of an element may be modified; and the features and components of various embodiments may be selectively combined. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the claimed invention is indicated by the appended claims and is not limited to the foregoing description.

[0152] The following claims are incorporated by reference in this detailed description, and each claim stands independently as a distinct embodiment of the present disclosure. In the claims, the term “equipped with / equipped with” does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Furthermore, even if listed individually, multiple means, elements or method steps may be implemented, for example, by a single unit or processor. In addition, individual features may be included in different claims, but they may be advantageously combined in some cases, and their inclusion in different claims does not imply that the combination of features is unfeasible and / or unfavorable. Furthermore, singular references do not exclude plurals. Terms such as “a,” “an,” “first,” and “second” do not exclude plurals. Reference numerals in the claims are provided merely as clear examples and should not be construed as limiting the claims.

Claims

1. A container and tube set arranged and configured to be attached to an endoscope for use in endoscopic procedures, A container configured to contain a fluid, the container having a bottom portion and a top portion, A water supply tube comprising a first end, a second end, and a first lumen extending through the water supply tube, wherein the first lumen is selectively in fluid communication with the bottom portion of the container, and the second end of the water supply tube is located outside the container, A gas supply tube comprising a first end, a second end, and a second lumen extending through the gas supply tube, wherein the second lumen is operably fluidly in communication with the container, and the second end of the gas supply tube is located outside the container, A container and tube set comprising a weight connected to the first end of the water supply tube and the first end of the gas supply tube.

2. The container and tube set according to claim 1, wherein the weight comprises a housing, and the housing has a housing lumen extending from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing.

3. The container and tube set according to claim 2, further comprising one or more openings extending through the side wall of the housing, wherein the one or more openings are located between the first end and the second end of the housing.

4. The container and tube set according to claim 3, wherein the housing lumen has a cross-sectional dimension that gradually decreases from the first end to the second end.

5. The container and tube set according to claim 2, wherein the housing lumen has a first cross-sectional dimension from the first end of the housing to a first intermediate position between the first end and the second end of the housing.

6. The container and tube set according to claim 5, wherein the housing lumen has a second cross-sectional dimension from the first intermediate position to the second intermediate position between the first and second ends of the housing, and the second cross-sectional dimension is smaller than the first cross-sectional dimension.

7. The container and tube set according to claim 6, wherein the housing lumen has a third cross-sectional dimension from the second intermediate position to the second end, and the third cross-sectional dimension is smaller than the second cross-sectional dimension.

8. The container and tube set according to claim 4, wherein the first transition in the cross-sectional dimensions of the housing lumen defines a first shelf portion.

9. The container and tube set according to claim 8, wherein the first end of the gas supply tube is configured to abut against the first shelf portion.

10. The container and tube set according to claim 8, wherein the one or more openings are located between the first shelf portion and the second end of the housing.

11. The container and tube set according to claim 8, wherein the second transition in the cross-sectional dimensions of the housing lumen defines a second shelf portion.

12. The container and tube set according to claim 11, wherein the first end of the water supply tube is configured to abut against the second shelf portion.

13. The container and tube set according to any one of claims 3 to 12, further comprising one or more openings extending through the side wall of the housing, wherein the gas flow through the second lumen is configured to exit through the one or more openings.

14. The container and tube set according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the flow of water is configured to enter the first lumen through the second end of the housing when the container is pressurized.

15. One or more openings extending through the side wall of the housing, The container and tube set according to any one of claims 3 to 12, further comprising a one-way valve coupled to one or more of the openings.

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