Endoscope module for artificial insemination or embryo transfer and method for performing procedure using same

Abstract

An endoscope module for artificial insemination or embryo transfer comprises a mount part, a catheter part, a camera part, and an air injection part. The mount part extends by a predetermined length and has first to third hole portions formed therein. The catheter part includes a catheter which is inserted into and extends along the first hole portion. The camera part includes a signal line which is inserted into and extends along the second hole portion, and a lens provided at an end of the signal line. The air injection part includes a tube which is inserted into and extends along the third hole portion.

Description

Endoscopic module for artificial insemination or embryo transfer and surgical method using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscopic module for artificial insemination or embryo transfer, and more specifically, to an endoscopic module for artificial insemination or embryo transfer comprising an integrated device for performing marmoset embryo transfer and artificial insemination or embryo transfer, and a surgical method using the same.

[0002] Marmoset monkeys are known to be optimal animals for the development of transgenic primates for genetic disease research and gene therapy, as well as for breeding research for humans; accordingly, various technologies regarding marmoset monkeys are being developed.

[0003] In particular, technologies related to endoscope modules or catheters that can be applied to marmoset monkeys are being developed, such as in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-514802 or U.S. Patent Publication No. 2024-0335618.

[0004] However, conventional techniques for inducing embryo transfer or intrauterine fertilization in marmoset monkeys require miniaturization, and thus, methods using optical endoscopes to locate the cervical opening have been applied. However, these endoscopes have low image quality, making them inconvenient for the operator to use. In particular, if secretions or blood enter the tube, the procedure must be stopped because the tube itself must be removed to remove them, which is a problem of low convenience.

[0005] Accordingly, the technical problem of the present invention is conceived from this point, and the objective of the present invention is to provide an endoscope module for artificial insemination or embryo transfer that is composed of an integrated device for performing marmoset embryo transfer and artificial insemination or embryo transfer, which enables the immediate removal of foreign substances to improve convenience and allows for the acquisition of clearer images.

[0006] In addition, another objective of the present invention is to provide a surgical method using the endoscope module.

[0007] An endoscope module according to one embodiment for realizing the purpose of the present invention described above includes a mount portion, a catheter portion, a camera portion, and an air injection portion. The mount portion extends for a predetermined length and has first to third holes formed therein. The catheter portion includes a catheter that is inserted along the first hole portion and extends. The camera portion includes a signal line that is inserted along the second hole portion and extends, and a lens provided at the end of the signal line. The air injection portion includes a tube that is inserted along the third hole portion and extends.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first to third hole portions may extend independently along the extension direction of the mount portion.

[0009] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional size of the first hole portion may be larger than the cross-sectional size of each of the first and second hole portions.

[0010] In one embodiment, the catheter portion can inject a fertilized egg or sperm into the end of the mount portion through the catheter.

[0011] In one embodiment, the camera unit further includes a display that displays the state of the end of the mount unit, and can capture the state of the end of the mount unit through the lens.

[0012] In one embodiment, the air injection part can inject air to remove foreign matter when foreign matter is present at the end of the mount part, or continuously provide low-pressure air to suppress the generation of wet secretions.

[0013] In one embodiment, a fourth hole is formed in the mount portion adjacent to the third hole portion, and air injected through the air injection portion can be removed to the outside through the fourth hole portion.

[0014] In one embodiment, the end of the mount portion may be located at the uterine opening of the marmoset.

[0015] In one embodiment, the mount portion may further include a cover portion that extends and covers the outside of the mount portion, and whose end covers the uterine opening of the marmoset.

[0016] A surgical method according to one embodiment for realizing another objective of the present invention described above comprises the steps of inserting a cover portion and positioning it at the entrance of the uterus, inserting a mount portion into the interior of the cover portion and positioning the mount portion at the entrance of the uterus, and performing a predetermined procedure using a catheter extending along a first hole portion of the mount portion, and locating the entrance of the uterus through a lens positioned along a second hole portion of the mount portion and removing foreign matter through a tube extending along a third hole portion of the mount portion.

[0017] According to embodiments of the present invention, a catheter portion for providing a fertilized egg or sperm, a camera portion capable of monitoring the status, and an air injection portion capable of injecting air are formed by extending along a single mount portion, so that the progress of artificial insemination or fertilized egg transplantation can be directly monitored, and if foreign substances are involved, they can be immediately removed or the generation of secretions can be suppressed to maintain a clear image, and rapid and accurate execution of artificial insemination or fertilized egg transplantation can be realized.

[0018] Accordingly, this overcomes the problems associated with conventional imaging units or catheter units for artificial insemination or embryo transfer, which occupy a large amount of space or prevent accurate imaging, and eliminates the procedural inconvenience and discomfort of having to remove the endoscope module to the outside and then re-insert it into the vagina to remove foreign substances generated during artificial insemination or embryo transfer.

[0019] In particular, since the catheter part, the camera part, and the air injection part can be mounted through internal holes formed in a single mount part, it is sufficient to insert only the mount part into the vagina, thereby improving the convenience of the procedure.

[0020] In addition, since the air injected through the air injection part can be removed through a separate hole part adjacent to the end of the tube, a space can be formed to remove the injected air to the outside for the removal of foreign substances.

[0021] In addition, by covering the outside of the mount part through the cover part while simultaneously accurately positioning and fixing the entrance of the uterus, the position can be stably fixed when performing artificial insemination or embryo transfer through the mount part, thereby further improving the accuracy of the procedure.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an endoscope module for artificial insemination or embryo transfer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the mount portion of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line I-I' of FIG. 2.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the state in which a signal line, a catheter part, and a tube are mounted on the mount part of FIG. 1.

[0025] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the end of the mount portion of Figure 4.

[0026] <Explanation of Symbols>

[0027] 10 : Uterus 100 : Endoscopy Module

[0028] 110: Cover part 120: Mount part

[0029] 121: 1st Hole Section 122: 2nd Hole Section

[0030] 123: 3rd Hole Part 124: 4th Hole Part

[0031] 200: Air inlet 210: Syringe

[0032] 220: Tube 300: Catheter part

[0033] 310 : Display 320 : Signal line

[0034] 330: Lens 400: Catheter part 410: Catheter 420: Fertilized egg

[0035]

[0036] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and may take various forms, and embodiments are to be described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to the specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Similar reference numerals have been used for similar components in the description of each figure. Terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms.

[0037] The above terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. The terms used in this application are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0038] In this application, terms such as "comprising" or "consisting of" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0040] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an endoscope module for artificial insemination or embryo transfer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the mount portion of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I' of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a state in which a signal line, a catheter portion, and a tube are mounted on the mount portion of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the end of the mount portion of FIG. 4.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the endoscope module for artificial insemination or embryo transplantation (hereinafter, endoscope module) (100) according to the present embodiment includes a cover part (110), a mount part (120), an air injection part (200), a camera part (300), and a catheter part (400).

[0043] The above-mentioned mount portion (120) is extended in one direction for a predetermined length, has a circular cross-section, and the extended length can be designed to vary in various ways considering the length to be injected.

[0044] The above-mentioned mount portion (120) must have a structure that extends while having a certain strength overall, and although the material is not limited, in order to extend stably through the vagina of the marmoset to the entrance of the uterus (10), it is necessary to have some flexibility and strength such that the direction of extension is maintained consistently.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mount portion (120) may have a plurality of holes formed inside. First, the first hole portion (121) is formed on the lower side of the circular cross-section of the mount portion (120) and extends equally from one end to the other end along the extension direction of the mount portion (120).

[0046] Additionally, the second hole portion (122) is formed on the upper side of the first hole portion (121) and extends equally from one end to the other end along the extension direction of the mount portion (120), and the third hole portion (123) is formed on the upper side of the first hole portion (121) and on the side of the second hole portion (122) and extends equally from one end to the other end along the extension direction of the mount portion (120).

[0047] Of course, in the drawing, the first to third holes (121, 122, 123) are formed in an arrangement similar to being located at the three vertices of a triangle on the circular cross-section of the mount part (120), but are not limited thereto, and it is sufficient if they are structured to extend from one end to the other end along the mount part (120) in a state where they are not open to each other.

[0048] Additionally, although it is illustrated that the first hole portion (121) is formed with a relatively large size and the second and third hole portions (122, 123) are formed with the same size, this is because the position of the catheter extending through the first hole portion (121) must be variable to perform the procedure. That is, the sizes of the first to third hole portions (121, 122, 123) can be designed to vary in various ways, taking into account the size of the structure extending along the interior.

[0049] As described above, first to third holes (121, 122, 123) are formed within one of the mount portions (120) and extend independently from one end to the other. Since separate elements extend independently through the first to third holes (121, 122, 123), it is sufficient to insert only one mount portion (120) into the interior of the vagina, thereby facilitating the control of the position and operation of the procedures and related elements.

[0050] The cover portion (110) covers the outside of the mount portion (120), and the mount portion (120) is inserted into the interior of the cover portion (110). Accordingly, the inner diameter of the cover portion (110) must be formed larger than the outer diameter of the mount portion (120) so that the mount portion (120) can be inserted, and the extension length of the cover portion (110) in one direction may also be longer than the extension length of the mount portion (120).

[0051] In the case of the above cover portion (110), as shown in FIG. 1, it is positioned so that it is first inserted into the interior of the vaginal portion of the mouseset and the entrance (11) of the uterus (10) is inserted therein, thereby stably positioning the entrance (11) of the uterus (10) inside the end (111) of the cover portion (110).

[0052] Afterward, the mount portion (120) can be inserted into the interior of the cover portion (110) and positioned up to the end (111) of the cover portion (110). Thus, the mount portion (120) can be guided to be inserted more accurately into the entrance (11) of the uterus (10), and the end of the mount portion (120) is stably positioned at the entrance (11) of the uterus (10), allowing subsequent procedures such as artificial insemination or embryo transfer to be performed stably.

[0053] The air injection unit (200) injects air through the interior of the mount unit (120), and through this air injection, foreign substances entering through the mount unit (110) when a specific procedure is performed at the entrance (11) of the uterus (10) can be removed to the outside. Alternatively, the air injection unit (200) continuously provides low-pressure air to suppress the generation of wet secretions, thereby maintaining a clear image during the procedure.

[0054] The air injection unit (200) includes a syringe (210) and a tube (220), the syringe (210) is located on the outside of the mount unit (120), and the tube (220) is connected to the end of the syringe (210). The tube (220) is connected from the syringe (210) and extends along the third hole (123) of the mount unit (120). A device (e.g., a compressor) that continuously supplies air at low pressure may be attached to the tube (220) to suppress the occurrence of wet secretions. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, it is positioned protruding from the end of the mount unit (120).

[0055] The syringe (210) injects air through the tube (220), and the air injected along the tube (220) flows out through the end of the mount part (120). Thus, when a specific procedure is performed in the uterus (10), the air flows out to that location. In this way, particularly when foreign matter is located around the lens (330) during the process of performing the procedure or during the process of positioning the mount part (120) at the entrance (11) of the uterus (10) for the purpose of performing the procedure, the foreign matter can be removed to the outside through the outflow of air, and thus, the foreign matter can be removed from the image provided through the lens (330), thereby providing a clear image.

[0056] Meanwhile, in the case of air leaking out from the end of the mount part (120), if it is repeatedly leaked through the syringe (210), the air may accumulate and interfere with the procedure being performed on the uterus (10).

[0057] Accordingly, in this embodiment, a fourth hole (124) is additionally formed between the second and third hole portions (122, 123) in the mount portion (120). At this time, the fourth hole (124) may be formed closer to the third hole portion (123) where the tube (220) is exposed. Thus, air flowing out through the tube (220) can be sucked in through the fourth hole (124) and removed to the outside of the mount portion (120). Accordingly, even if air is continuously or repeatedly supplied through the tube (220), interference caused by the accumulation of air can be minimized when performing a procedure on the uterus (10).

[0058] The above camera unit (300) captures the situation of performing a procedure on the uterus (10) and provides it to the operator in real time, and includes a display (310), a signal line (320), and a lens (330).

[0059] The display (310) is provided outside the mount portion (120) to provide the procedure status in real time, and the signal line (320) extends from the display (310) and extends along the second hole portion (122) of the mount portion (120).

[0060] Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the lens (330) is positioned and fixed at the end of the mount portion (120), and through the lens (330), the state of entry into the vagina of the mount portion (120) or the actual state of the procedure in the uterus (10) is captured.

[0061] That is, in order for the mount portion (120) to be accurately positioned at the entrance (11) of the uterus (10), it may be difficult to enter accurately even if guided by the cover portion (110) during the process of passing through the inside of the vagina. Accordingly, by photographing the process of the mount portion (120) being inserted through the inside of the vagina through the lens (330), the end of the mount portion (120) can be guided to be accurately positioned at the entrance (11) of the uterus (10) at the end.

[0062] Of course, when performing the above procedure after the position has been accurately guided as described above, the procedure status can also be monitored through the lens (330).

[0063] Meanwhile, as previously explained, when photographing the state of positioning at the entrance (11) of the uterus or the state of the procedure through the lens (330), various foreign substances may obstruct the field of view of the lens (330), and the foreign substances obstructing the field of view of the lens (330) can be effectively removed by the air provided through the tube (220).

[0064] The above catheter portion (400) is positioned in the uterus (10) to provide a fertilized egg or sperm (420) into the interior of the uterus (10) to perform actual artificial insemination or fertilized egg implantation, and includes a catheter (410) extending through the mount portion (120).

[0065] That is, the catheter (410) extends through the first hole (121) of the mount portion (120) to provide the fertilized egg or sperm (420) into the interior of the uterus (10), thereby performing procedures such as inducing artificial insemination or fertilized egg implantation. At this time, in addition to the fertilized egg or sperm, substances necessary for performing various surgeries or procedures on the uterus (10) can be injected through the catheter (410). Furthermore, a specific device may be connected to the end of the catheter (410) to perform surgical procedures on the uterus (10).

[0066] In particular, since the catheter (410) may have a relatively large structure, it extends through the first hole (121), which has the largest cross-sectional area among the holes formed in the mount portion (120).

[0067] As described above, in the present embodiment, a catheter (410), a signal line (320), and a tube (220) are independently extended along a plurality of holes (121, 122, 123) formed inside the mount portion (120), and thereby independently perform the roles of procedure, imaging, and foreign substance removal when performing a procedure on the uterus (10).

[0068] Thus, in order to perform the above procedure, imaging, and foreign substance removal, the problem of performing the necessary actions piecemeal by injecting one by one, which is restricted from being injected into the vagina through separate lines or simultaneous injection, can be resolved.

[0069] On the other hand, in the case of imaging using a conventional endoscope, since the camera is inserted separately into the opening of the uterus to perform the imaging, it is difficult to accurately control the distance from the procedure site, and consequently, the image is inevitably very blurry.

[0070] However, in the case of the endoscope module (100) according to the present embodiment, the position of the end of the mount portion (120) is accurately fixed by the cover portion (110), and the lens (330) is accurately positioned at the location where the procedure is performed, with the end of the mount portion (120) accurately positioned at the entrance (11) of the uterus (1), so that the clarity of the captured image is very high and accurate images can be obtained.

[0071] In addition, in the case of imaging using a conventional endoscope, there was no method to remove foreign matter located adjacent to the lens, resulting in severe interference in the acquired image and making it difficult to verify an accurate image.

[0072] However, in the case of an image captured using the endoscope module (100) according to the present embodiment, if a foreign substance is located near the lens (330), the foreign substance can be removed by injecting air through the tube (220), and since the injected air is removed to the outside through the fourth hole (124), effective removal of the foreign substance is possible. Accordingly, the image obtained through the endoscope module (100) can be a clear and accurate image with the foreign substance removed.

[0073] According to the embodiments of the present invention as described above, a catheter portion for providing a fertilized egg or sperm, a camera portion capable of monitoring the status, and an air injection portion capable of injecting air are formed by extending along a single mount portion, so that the progress of artificial insemination or fertilized egg transplantation can be directly monitored, and if foreign substances are involved, they can be immediately removed or the generation of secretions can be suppressed to maintain a clear image, and rapid and accurate execution of artificial insemination or fertilized egg transplantation can be realized.

[0074] Accordingly, this overcomes the problems associated with conventional imaging units or catheter units for artificial insemination or embryo transfer, which occupy a large amount of space or prevent accurate imaging, and eliminates the procedural inconvenience and discomfort of having to remove the endoscope module to the outside and then re-insert it into the vagina to remove foreign substances generated during artificial insemination or embryo transfer.

[0075] In particular, since the catheter part, the camera part, and the air injection part can be mounted through internal holes formed in a single mount part, it is sufficient to insert only the mount part into the vagina, thereby improving the convenience of the procedure.

[0076] In addition, since the air injected through the air injection part can be removed through a separate hole part adjacent to the end of the tube, a space can be formed to remove the injected air to the outside for the removal of foreign substances.

[0077] In addition, by covering the outside of the mount part through the cover part while simultaneously accurately positioning and fixing the entrance of the uterus, the position can be stably fixed when performing artificial insemination or embryo transfer through the mount part, thereby further improving the accuracy of the procedure.

[0078] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A mount portion that is extended to a predetermined length and has first to third hole portions formed inside; A catheter portion including a catheter that is inserted along the first hole portion and extends; A camera part including a signal line inserted along the second hole portion and extending, and a lens provided at the end of the signal line; and An endoscope module comprising an air injection part including a tube inserted along the third hole portion and extending therefrom.

2. In Paragraph 1, An endoscope module characterized in that the first to third hole portions extend independently along the extension direction of the mount portion.

3. In Paragraph 2, An endoscope module characterized in that the cross-sectional size of the first hole portion is larger than the cross-sectional size of each of the first and second hole portions.

4. In paragraph 1, the catheter portion is, An endoscope module characterized by injecting a fertilized egg or sperm into the end of the mount portion through the catheter.

5. In paragraph 1, the camera unit is, It further includes a display indicating the status of the end of the above-mentioned mount part, An endoscope module characterized by capturing the state of the end of the mount portion through the lens.

6. In paragraph 1, the air injection part is, If foreign matter is present at the end of the above-mentioned mount part, air is injected to remove the foreign matter, or An endoscope module characterized by suppressing the production of moist secretions by continuously providing low-pressure air.

7. In Paragraph 6, A fourth hole is formed in the above-mentioned mount portion adjacent to the third hole portion, and An endoscope module characterized in that air injected through the air injection part is removed to the outside through the fourth hole part.

8. In Paragraph 1, An endoscope module characterized in that the end of the above-mentioned mount portion is positioned at the entrance of the marmoset.

9. In Paragraph 8, An endoscope module that extends and covers the outside of the above-mentioned mount portion, and further includes a cover portion at its end that covers the cervical opening of the above-mentioned marmoset.

10. A step of inserting the cover portion and positioning it at the entrance of the uterus; A step of inserting a mount portion into the interior of the cover portion to position the mount portion at the entrance of the uterus; and The method includes the step of performing a predetermined procedure using a catheter extending along the first hole portion of the mount portion, and A surgical method using an endoscope module characterized by locating the position of the entrance of the uterus through a lens positioned along the second hole of the mount portion and removing foreign matter through a tube extending along the third hole of the mount portion.

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