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Publication Number
US-11471032-B2
Publication Date
2022-10-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
An endoscope is proposed with a shaft (2) that is designed as a flexible or rigid elongated hollow body with a main body (3) which houses the shaft (2) on its proximal end (5) with an image guide (7) and a working channel (10) which extend through the shaft (2) from the distal to the proximal end, continuing into the main body (3) wherein the working channel (10) receives an instrument with a distal end (11) of the working channel (10) which is located in the area of the distal end (6) of the shaft (2) with a proximal end (12) of the working channel (10) which is located in or on the main body (3) wherein the cross-section of the working channel (10) is circular at its proximal end (12) and non-circular at its distal end (11) and wherein the working channel (10) has a transitional area (18) in which the circular cross-section transitions into the non-circular cross-section.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an endoscope with a flexible or rigid elongated hollow shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and a main body that houses the shaft on its proximal end. The endoscope further includes an image guide and a working channel that extend through the shaft from the distal to the proximal end and continue into the main body. The working channel receives an instrument, with a distal end of the working channel located in the area of the distal end of the shaft, and a proximal end of the working channel located in or on the main body.
The essential construction is that the working channel has a circular cross-section at its proximal end and a non-circular cross-section at its distal end. A transitional area is provided in which the circular cross-section transitions into the non-circular cross-section, and this transitional area is located in the main body. This arrangement enables the working channel to change cross-sectional geometry between proximal and distal regions while the instrument is received and guided through the shaft and main body.
An embodiment describes a shaft where the proximal portion of the working channel has an oval distal cross-section and a circular proximal cross-section, connected by a conical or tapered transitional region. The transitional region supports a defined change in cross-section, and the geometry may include portions with constant cross-sectional area for relevant shaft sections. The embodiment further specifies relationships between longitudinal axes of sections with different cross-sections, including an example with first and second working-channel longitudinal axes that are parallel and separated by distance a, together with diameter constraints d2<=d1 and d3<d2 to support turning and retraction of an instrument even when a piece is removed.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines the overall endoscope architecture and the key working-channel geometry change. It is refined by dependent claims that specify the distal non-circular shape, constant non-circular cross-sectional portions, diameter relationships, and geometric relationships between longitudinal axes.
Working channel circular-to-non-circular transition located in main body
An endoscope in which the cross-section of the working channel is circular at its proximal end and non-circular at its distal end, the working channel has a transitional area in which the circular cross-section transitions into the non-circular cross-section, and the transitional area is located in the main body.
Oval non-circular distal cross-section
An endoscope in which the distal end of the working channel has an oval non-circular cross-section.
Continuous non-circular cross-section with constant area into shaft
An endoscope in which the portion of the working channel that extends from the main body into the shaft has a continuous non-circular cross-section with a constant cross-sectional area.
Diameter inequality between circular proximal and non-circular distal portions
An endoscope in which the working channel has a non-circular cross-section at its distal end, where the greatest diameter is smaller than or equal to the diameter of the circular cross-section at the proximal end (and the non-circular smallest diameter is smaller than the non-circular greatest diameter).
Defined longitudinal axes for non-circular and circular sections
An endoscope in which the working channel has a non-circular cross-section section with a longitudinal axis through the non-circular section center points and a circular cross-section section with a longitudinal axis through the circular section center points.
Parallel longitudinal axes with non-zero offset distance a
An endoscope in which the first working channel longitudinal axis is parallel to the second working channel longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axes are separated by a non-zero distance a.
Across the independent and dependent claims, the working channel transitions from a circular proximal cross-section to a non-circular distal cross-section via a transitional area located in the main body. Dependent features specify an oval distal shape, constant non-circular cross-sectional portions, diameter constraints relating circular proximal and non-circular distal dimensions, and geometric definitions/constraints for longitudinal axes including parallelism with a non-zero offset.
Stated Advantages
Provides sufficient space in a small-diameter shaft for additional components.
Allows instrument passage for retrieval after clamping.
Supports turning and retraction of an instrument even when a piece is removed.
Documented Applications
Endoscope use in which an instrument is received in a working channel that transitions from a circular proximal cross-section to a non-circular distal cross-section for retrieval after clamping.
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