Insertion unit and detachable endoscope comprising the same
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12557972-B2
Publication Date
2026-02-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
An insertion unit for a detachable endoscope, the insertion unit including a housing having a hollow formed penetrating both ends of the housing but being isolated from an outside of the housing; a first intermediate connection part inserted into an inside of the housing to penetrate the both ends of the housing; and a second intermediate connection part spaced apart from the first intermediate connection part and inserted penetrating the hollow.
Core Innovation
An insertion unit for a detachable endoscope includes a housing having a hollow penetrating the housing in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to a distal end. The hollow includes at least one first insertion end hollow and a second insertion end hollow spaced apart within the housing, with the second insertion end hollow isolated from the at least one first insertion end hollow. The second insertion end hollow includes a stepped part with a stepped shape in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal direction, and the second insertion end hollow has a maximum inner diameter at the stepped part.
An insertion end connection part is disposed in the second insertion end hollow and includes a first end portion at a distal end of the insertion end connection part. The first end portion has a diameter substantially equal to the maximum inner diameter of the second insertion end hollow. A spring is disposed between the stepped part and a distal end of the insertion end connection part, and the spring provides an elastic force to the insertion end connection part; the insertion end connection part penetrates the spring, and two opposite ends of the spring contact the first end portion and the stepped part, respectively.
The insertion unit is configured so contaminants entering the insertion unit flow only through the second insertion end hollow and discharge to an outside through a rear end opening of the second insertion end hollow. When the insertion unit is incorporated into a detachable endoscope configuration, a controller causes bending motion, and a detachment unit with an intermediate connection bar detachably couples the controller to the insertion end connection part. When the controller and the insertion unit are coupled, a discharge passage is formed between facing coupling ends of the controller and insertion unit to discharge contaminants outward.
Claims Coverage
The provided claims include one independent claim that defines the insertion-unit structure and contaminant flow and discharge behavior, plus dependent claims that further refine bending capability, sealing at the distal interface, and the controller/detachment/discharge-passage configuration. Across the dependent claims, there are 4 main inventive refinements described beyond the core insertion-unit contamination flow limitation.
Isolated second insertion end hollow for contaminant flow control
The insertion unit has a hollow penetrating the housing with at least one first insertion end hollow and a second insertion end hollow that is spaced apart and isolated from the first insertion end hollow, so contaminants enter the insertion unit and flow only through the second insertion end hollow.
Stepped second insertion end hollow with maximum inner diameter
The second insertion end hollow includes a stepped part with a stepped shape in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal direction, and the second insertion end hollow has a maximum inner diameter at the stepped part.
Spring-elastic insertion end connection part aligned to maximum inner diameter
An insertion end connection part disposed in the second insertion end hollow has a first end portion at its distal end with a diameter substantially equal to the maximum inner diameter of the second insertion end hollow, and a spring disposed between the stepped part and the distal end of the insertion end connection part provides elastic force with two spring ends contacting the first end portion and the stepped part.
Rear end opening discharge of contaminants from second insertion end hollow
The insertion unit is configured so contaminants that flow only through the second insertion end hollow discharge to an outside through a rear end opening of the second insertion end hollow.
Curved connection part for bending of the insertion end connection part
The insertion end connection part includes a curved connection part connected to the distal end, with at least a portion being curved relative to the longitudinal direction of the insertion end connection part.
Distal sealing ring between insertion end connection part and second insertion end hollow
A sealing ring is provided at the distal end of the insertion end connection part to seal a space between the insertion end connection part and the second insertion end hollow.
Controller-driven bending motion with detachable coupling via intermediate connection bar
A detachable endoscope includes a controller coupled to the insertion unit to cause bending motion and a detachment unit with an intermediate connection bar that detachably couples the controller to the insertion end connection part via the insertion end connection part.
Discharge passage formed only when controller and insertion unit are coupled
When the insertion unit and the controller are coupled, a discharge passage is formed between facing coupling ends of the controller and insertion unit.
The claims coverage centers on an insertion unit having an isolated second insertion end hollow with a stepped geometry, a spring-biased insertion end connection part sized to match the maximum inner diameter, and a rear end opening that discharges contaminants outward while preventing contaminants from flowing through the first insertion end hollow. Dependent claims further add a curved connection part for bending, a distal sealing ring to seal a space at the insertion end connection interface, and a controller/detachment-unit arrangement that forms a discharge passage when coupled.
Stated Advantages
Enables contaminants to enter only through the second insertion end hollow and discharge through the rear end opening of the second insertion end hollow.
Allows a discharge passage to be formed when the controller and insertion unit are coupled.
Documented Applications
Detachable endoscope configurations that include the described insertion unit, controller-driven bending motion, and a detachment unit for coupling, with contaminant discharge through the rear end opening and discharge passage.
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