Retractable endoscopic suction tube
Inventors
DEVAIAH, Anand • Sharon, Andre • Sauer-Budge, Alexis • Wirz, Holger • YANG, Yuzhang • VAN DER KEMP, Stephanus Johannes Marcellis • ECHEVERRIA, Daniel
Assignees
Boston University • Boston Medical Center Corp • Fraunhofer USA Inc
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Publication Number
US-11337586-B2
Publication Date
2022-05-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed herein is an aspiration assembly for attaching to an endoscope. The aspiration assembly comprises an extendable suction tube for aspirating an object (e.g., smoke, blood, blood clot, bone debris, or tissue debris) at or near a surgical site during an endoscopic surgery. The aspiration assembly can further comprise an irrigation tube for directing a fluid to the surgical site for cleaning the endoscope lens. By integrating an extendable suction tube with the endoscope, the technology described herein obviate the need for instrument switching and/or multiple surgeons during the surgery.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an endoscope system that includes an endoscope with a tubular member that transmits images of a field of view from a distal end to a camera coupling at a proximal end. The endoscope further includes a sheath extending circumferentially around the tubular member and one or more irrigation channels inside the sheath that extend from the proximal end to the distal end.
The core concept is an aspiration assembly having an extendable suction tube, an actuator, and a locking mechanism. The extendable suction tube is removably coupled along an outer surface of the sheath and is adapted to move axially beyond the distal end of the tubular member under control of the actuator.
The actuator extends or retracts the suction tube with respect to the distal end when actuated, while the locking mechanism removably attaches the extendable suction tube at various axial positions along the outer surface of the sheath and locks the extendable suction tube at a fixed position. The documented content also indicates integration of suction control and, optionally, image guidance positioning, with user interaction concepts that include actuation and unlock behavior tied to the locking mechanism.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers an endoscope system with visualization-capable irrigation and an aspiration assembly in which an extendable suction tube is removably coupled to the sheath, axially moved beyond the tubular member distal end under actuator control, and selectively locked at fixed axial positions. The coverage includes one independent claim (clm-00001) with dependent claim refinements addressing actuation/locking structures, suction shut-off, safety unlocking, and optional image guidance integration at a predefined distance.
Extendable suction tube removably coupled to the sheath for axial beyond-distal movement
An extendable suction tube removably coupled along the outer surface of the sheath and adapted to, under the control of the actuator, move axially beyond the distal end of the tubular member.
Actuator-controlled extension and retraction of the extendable suction tube
An actuator coupled to the suction tube to extend or retract the suction tube with respect to the distal end of the endoscope when the actuator is actuated.
Removably attaching and locking the extendable suction tube at various axial positions
A locking mechanism configured to removably attach the extendable suction tube at various axial positions along the outer surface of the sheath and lock the extendable suction tube at a fixed position.
Overall claim coverage centers on the combination of an endoscope having a tubular member with visualization and irrigation channels, and an aspiration assembly where an extendable suction tube is removably mounted on the sheath, axially extended beyond the endoscope distal end under actuator control, and locked at selectable fixed axial positions.
Stated Advantages
Allows aspiration by extending a suction tube into an endoscopic field of view.
When retracted, the suction tube automatically disconnects/shuts off suction.
Provides user-extendable/retractable operation without instrument switching that avoids obscuring the view.
Enables suction positioning at fixed axial locations along the sheath outer surface.
Provides safety behavior for unlocking the locking mechanism via a safety button.
Documented Applications
Endoscopic aspiration in which debris/smoke are aspirated using an endoscopic aspiration assembly with an extendable suction tube and vacuum source.
Lens-cleaning by optional irrigation for lens cleaning in the context of the endoscope system.
Image guidance use where an image guidance system adapter is coupled to the extendable suction tube with a predefined distance relationship for locating the distal end in an image guidance system.
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