Fluid conduit module for attachment to an endoscope

Inventors

Hawker, Michael John • Ramsey, Peter

Assignees

Meditech Endoscopy Ltd

Abstract

This invention relates to a fluid conduit module for attaching a receptacle holding sterile water or detergent to air and water ports of an endoscope. A fluid conduit module comprises a first port for connection to an air line of an endoscope; a second port for connection to a water line of an endoscope; a connector configured to attach said receptacle to the fluid conduit module; a first fluid flow path between the first port and the connector; and a second fluid flow path between the second port and the connector.

Core Innovation

The invention provides a fluid conduit module for connecting a receptacle to an endoscope. The endoscope has air and water ports, and the fluid conduit module includes a first port for connection to an air line of the endoscope and a second port for connection to a water line of the endoscope. The receptacle has an internal volume for holding a liquid, and the fluid conduit module uses separate first and second fluid flow paths that are configured to place both flow paths in fluid communication with the receptacle internal volume.

A connector is configured to attach the receptacle to the fluid conduit module so that, when a receptacle is connected in use, the first and second fluid flow paths are in fluid communication with the receptacle internal volume. The fluid conduit module includes a first single use feature configured to disable the connector to prevent attachment of a second receptacle after use of a first receptacle. The first single use feature comprises a weakened part of the connector configured to rupture if a force is applied to the connector to detach the connector from the receptacle.

The fluid conduit module further includes a second single use feature configured to hinder or prevent refilling of the receptacle via the first and second flow paths. The described anti-refilling behavior includes tortuous or offset conduit geometry that causes injected liquid to rebound and be ejected back out of the flow paths. The module is described as effectively single use and further includes sealing for ports using O-rings and a sealed hinged cover/latch retention. An optional gas port is described for delivery of gas such as CO2, and flexible tubing extends into the receptacle.

Claims Coverage

The partial content includes one independent claim, which contains two core single-use concepts: disabling the receptacle-module connector after use, and hindering or preventing refilling through both the air and water connected flow paths. The dependent claim excerpts further narrow both the connector mechanics and the anti-refill geometry/mechanism.

Across the independent claim and the provided dependent-claim refinements, the coverage centers on a module that couples an endoscope air line and water line to a receptacle internal volume through separate first and second flow paths, while providing single-use behavior by disabling the connector via a rupture-able weakened part and by hindering or preventing refilling through tortuous or constrained flow paths.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications