Device for supporting an endoscopic tool
Inventors
Hiernaux, Martin • LECLERCQ, Loulia • Goldstein, Simon • Chau, Alexandre
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11076847-B2
Publication Date
2021-08-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for supporting an endoscopic tool may include opposite first and second arms extending along a first axis. An attachment system is configured to attach the first arm and the second arm to an endoscope. A curved guide for the endoscopic tool is coupled to the first arm, and has an outlet for launching the endoscopic tool. An angled tissue support surface is provided on the second arm, facing the outlet. The outlet is fixable in a working orientation relative to the first axis, and in the working orientation, a recess of the tissue support surface is configured to accept the endoscopic tool when launched from the outlet.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an endoscopic tool support device in which opposite first and second arms extend along a first axis from a proximal end to a distal end. An attachment system attaches the first arm and the second arm to an endoscope at the proximal end, and a deployment system translates the first and second arms relative to each other in a direction cross to the first axis to adjust a spacing between the first and second arms in a deployed configuration.
A guide for the endoscopic tool is coupled to the first arm and comprises an outlet for launching the endoscopic tool. A tissue support surface is provided on the second arm facing the outlet, and a recess is adjacent the tissue support surface such that, in the working orientation, the recess is configured to accept the endoscopic tool when launched from the outlet.
The working orientation fixes the outlet in a working orientation relative to the first axis, and the guide geometry uses a curved centerline between the proximal end and the outlet with a radius of curvature at least 12.5 mm in a direction towards the tissue support surface. The centerline curve is defined such that a centerline of the guide is curved toward the tissue support surface and the tissue support surface is oriented at one or more second angles between 35° and 120° relative to the first axis, with additional curvature constraints including that the curvature does not change sign.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims that define a common support device architecture, with the inventive coverage centered on two opposite arms on an endoscope, a cross-axis deployment system to adjust spacing, and a guide with an outlet and a recess/tissue support surface arranged with specific working-orientation geometry. Across the independent claims, the main inventive features are expressed using defined outlet working orientation and curved guide geometry with specified angle relationships and curvature constraints.
Opposite arms with cross-axis spacing adjustment
A device for supporting an endoscopic tool with opposite first and second arms extending along a first axis from a proximal end to a distal end, an attachment system configured to attach the first arm and the second arm to an endoscope at the proximal end, and a deployment system operable to translate the first and second arms relative to each other in a direction cross to the first axis to adjust a spacing between the first and second arms.
Outlet guide and tissue support surface with adjacent recess
A guide for the endoscopic tool coupled to the first arm, the guide comprising an outlet for launching the endoscopic tool, a tissue support surface provided on the second arm facing the outlet, and a recess adjacent the tissue support surface, wherein the tissue support surface projects from the second arm in a direction transverse to the first axis and the recess is configured to accept the endoscopic tool when launched from the outlet in a working orientation.
Curved guide centerline with radius constraint and working orientation
In the working orientation, a centerline of the guide is curved between the proximal end and the outlet with a radius of curvature being at least 12.5 mm in a direction towards the tissue support surface, and the tissue support surface is oriented at one or more second angles between 35° and 120° relative to the first axis.
Fixed outlet working orientation with first- and second-angle geometry
In the working orientation, the outlet is fixable or fixed in a working orientation relative to the first axis, wherein a first tangent to a centerline of the guide at the outlet is inclined with respect to the first axis at a first angle between 15° and 60° towards the tissue support surface, and wherein the tissue support surface is oriented at a second angle between 35° and 120° relative to the first axis.
Across the independent claims, coverage is directed to an endoscopic tool support device combining two opposite arms with a cross-axis deployment system, a tool guide on the first arm with an outlet that launches the tool, and a tissue support surface on the second arm with an adjacent recess configured to accept the tool. The claims further require a working orientation with a fixed outlet and specific geometric relationships defined by angled tangency and curved guide centerline radius toward the tissue support surface.
Stated Advantages
Reduced bulkiness without an S-shaped guide tube for use in small cavities.
Enabling use of long rigid needle tips.
Improved stability at small launch angles.
Documented Applications
Supporting and launching an endoscopic tool using a tissue support surface and an adjacent recess configured to accept the tool when launched from the outlet.
Providing an assembly including a suturing needle with a rigid part movable through the guide, with the rigid part extending from a tip of the suturing needle.
Interested in licensing this patent?