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Publication Number
US-12201275-B2
Publication Date
2025-01-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for an endoscope for use in a surgical procedure, e.g., a pediatric trans-nasal endoscopy procedure. The endoscope may include a handle for gripping by a user, and a shaft extending from the handle. The shaft may have a working channel extending longitudinally therethrough and a distal region configured to be inserted into a patient. The exterior of the shaft may be protected by a laminate layer that is more flexible at the distal regions of the shaft than at more proximal regions, so as to improve steering. The shaft wall may be comprised of braided filaments so as to minimize the outer diameter of the shaft while maintaining a maximum working channel diameter. The handle may include symmetrical steering mechanisms to enable ambidextrous steering capabilities.
Core Innovation
The disclosure describes an endoscope for use in a surgical procedure, including a handle and a steerable shaft extending from the handle. The handle defines an outer wall and includes two rotatable roller knobs and a rotatable thumb knob configured to steer the steerable shaft. The two rotatable roller knobs actuate left and right steering while the handle is maintained in a first position without changing the orientation of the handle, and the rotatable thumb knob controls up and down steering while the handle is maintained in the first position without changing the orientation of the handle.
The steerable shaft has a working channel extending longitudinally therethrough, and the exterior of the shaft is protected by a laminate layer. The laminate layer of the proximal region of the shaft has a first flexibility, and the laminate layer of the distal region has a second flexibility that is more flexible than the first flexibility, such that the distal region is more flexible than the proximal region of the shaft when the shaft is steered by the steering knobs. The shaft can be configured with a proximal region at or adjacent to the handle and a distal region configured to be inserted into a patient.
At least two steering wires extend longitudinally through the shaft parallel to the working channel and extend from the distal region to a steering control mechanism of the handle. The steering control mechanism includes roller wheels located outside respective outer left and right side walls and a rotatable thumb knob around the same lateral shaft to provide ambidextrous left and right steering and up and down steering. The disclosure also describes connecting an illumination source and an imaging device at the distal end to an electronic control module on the handle via an electrical cable routed longitudinally within the shaft parallel to the working channel.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims present two alternative endoscope configurations for surgical use, with a common steering concept based on maintaining a fixed handle orientation while steering the distal shaft region. Across the independent claims, the coverage includes handle-based ambidextrous left and right steering using two rotatable roller knobs or roller wheels and up and down steering using a rotatable thumb knob, and a steerable shaft with a working channel and laminated exterior having region-dependent flexibility, supported by internal steering wires and optional distal imaging and illumination connectivity. The independent claims collectively identify at least five inventive features.
Handle-based ambidextrous left and right steering
Two rotatable roller knobs configured to rotate together to actuate left and right steering of the steerable shaft while the handle is maintained in the first position and without changing the orientation of the handle from its first position.
Thumb knob up and down steering
A rotatable thumb knob configured to control up and down steering of the steerable shaft while the handle is maintained in the first position and without changing the orientation of the handle from its first position.
Region-dependent shaft laminate flexibility
A laminated exterior where the laminate layer of the proximal region of the shaft has a first flexibility and the laminate layer of the distal region has a second flexibility that is more flexible than the first flexibility, such that the distal region is more flexible than the proximal region of the shaft when the shaft is steered by the two rotatable steering knobs.
Working channel with longitudinal steering wires
At least two steering wires extending longitudinally through the shaft and parallel to the working channel, the at least two steering wires extending from the distal region of the shaft to the steering control mechanism of the handle.
Illumination and imaging connectivity via handle-mounted control module
An illumination source and an imaging device at a distal end of the shaft, electrically connected by a cable to an electronic control module on the handle, with the cable running longitudinally within the shaft and parallel to the working channel.
Overall, the claim coverage focuses on an endoscope that steers a distal shaft region while the handle remains in a fixed orientation, using a dual roller control for ambidextrous left and right steering and a thumb knob for up and down steering. The shaft includes a working channel and a laminated exterior with region-dependent flexibility, and an alternative independent claim emphasizes steering wires running parallel to the working channel and connected to a handle steering control mechanism. Optional dependents further cover distal illumination and imaging connected to a handle-mounted electronic control module, with the cable routed longitudinally within the shaft.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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