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Publication Number
US-11826022-B2
Publication Date
2023-11-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
Provided is an endoscope including a separable probe. The endoscope includes a handle unit and a probe unit detachably mounted on the handle unit. The handle unit includes a first connector reciprocally movable by an adjustment knob. The probe unit includes a probe deformable in response to movement of a wire and a second connector coupled to an end of the wires and detachably coupled to the first connector.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an endoscope including a handle unit and a probe unit detachably connected to the handle unit. The handle unit comprises a first connector reciprocally movable by an adjustment knob, and the probe unit comprises a probe deformable in response to movement of a wire. The probe unit further comprises a second connector coupled to an end of the wire and detachably coupled to the first connector.
A key coupling arrangement is provided at the interface between the first connector and the second connector. One of the first connector and the second connector comprises an end tip having an insertion hole formed from a distal end surface to be extended in an axial direction, and the end tip further comprises a guide pin on a side surface. A connector housing accommodates the first connector to guide movement, and the connector housing has a guide recess in a side surface allowing the guide pin to be fitted into the recess.
The invention also provides a stopper and a stopper releasing member configured to decouple the stopper and the first connector. The handle unit further comprises a stopper configured for stopping movement of the guide pin, and the stopper has a recess configured to accommodate the guide pin. The probe unit further comprises a stopper releasing member having a tapered surface so that the stopper and the first connector are decoupled from each other when the stopper releasing member is inserted into the stopper.
Claims Coverage
The claims coverage centers on 1 independent claim. The inventive features include a detachable probe/handle kinematic interface with a reciprocally movable connector driven by an adjustment knob, a wire-driven deformable probe, and a structured connector-tip and connector-housing geometry including guide pin/recess and a stopper with a tapered stopper releasing member for decoupling.
Detachable handle and probe endoscope with reciprocating first connector
An endoscope comprising a handle unit and a probe unit configured to be detachably connected to the handle unit, wherein the handle unit comprises a first connector reciprocally movable by an adjustment knob.
Wire-deformable probe with detachably coupled second connector
The probe unit comprises a probe deformable in response to movement of a wire, and a second connector coupled to an end of the wire and detachably coupled to the first connector.
End tip insertion hole with axial extension
One of the first connector and the second connector comprises an end tip having an insertion hole formed from a distal end surface of the end tip to be extended in an axial direction of the end tip.
Guide pin and inclined guide recess in connector housing
The end tip further comprises a guide pin on a side surface thereof, the connector housing has a guide recess in a side surface thereof allowing the guide pin to be fitted thereinto, and the guide recess extends in a longitudinal direction to be inclined toward an upper end of the connector housing.
Stopper and recess for stopping guide pin movement
The handle unit further comprises a stopper configured for stopping movement of the guide pin, and the stopper has a recess configured to accommodate the guide pin.
Tapered stopper releasing member for decoupling
The probe unit further comprises a stopper releasing member on a side portion thereof, the stopper releasing member having a tapered surface on an end thereof such that the stopper and the first connector are decoupled from each other when the stopper releasing member is inserted into the stopper.
Across the independent claim, the coverage focuses on a detachable handle/probe interface in which a reciprocating first connector driven by an adjustment knob is guided by a connector housing, engages a wire-driven deformable probe via a second connector, and uses an end-tip insertion hole with guide pin/recess geometry plus a stopper and tapered stopper releasing member to decouple the connectors.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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