Lubricant supplying device for the everting tube drive of an endoscope
Inventors
Hecker, Albert • Schuetz, Guenter Wilhelm • Pommersheim, Wilhelm Franz
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8556800-B2
Publication Date
2013-10-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A lubricant supplying device of an endoscope everting tube drive comprises a drive tube everted at least once to thus form an outer and an inner tube portion. Inside the inner tube portion an endoscope shaft is mounted in an axially displaceable manner. In addition a drive device is provided which encompasses the drive tube everted at least once or the inner tube portion thereof so as to apply a driving force for an advancing movement of the endoscope shaft onto the inner tube portion, the drive means being in fluid connection with a lubricant supplying line and a lubricant discharge line for introducing a lubricant via the drive device into the drive tube everted at least once and/or for discharging it. The lubricant supply line and the lubricant discharge are connected to the drive device in two locations thereof diametrically opposite with respect to the endoscope shaft.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention provides a lubricant supplying device for an endoscope everting tube drive. The drive tube is everted at least once to form an outer and an inner tube portion, and the endoscope shaft is mounted in an axially displaceable manner within the drive tube. A drive device encompasses at least a portion of the drive tube and exerts a driving force onto the inner tube portion to displace the endoscope shaft along a longitudinal axis.
The drive device is in fluid connection with a lubricant supply line and a lubricant discharge line, connected to the drive device at a filling port and an evacuation port, respectively. The filling port and the evacuation port are arranged in an approximately diametrically opposite relationship about the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft. Gravity is used by rotating the drive about the shaft axis so that, during filling, the evacuation port is positioned upwardly to exhaust displaced air, and during evacuation, the filling port is positioned upwardly to replenish air while removing lubricant.
To ensure the gravity-based filling and evacuation only occur when the port positions are appropriate, the drive device includes a position sensor located to detect the position of each of the filling port and the evacuation port relative to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft and with regard to gravity, and to emit signals relating to the positions. The control means uses the sensor signals to confirm the correct port orientations before performing filling or discharge.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims cover a lubricant supplying device for an endoscope everting tube drive and an endoscope including such a drive, each centered on a diametrically opposed filling and evacuation port arrangement and gravity-referenced position sensing. Across the independent claims, the inventive features total two main groups: the mechanical and fluid-connection arrangement of the drive tube, ports, and lubricant lines, and the position sensor arrangement for detecting port positions relative to gravity and the endoscope shaft axis.
Diametrically opposed lubricant ports on the drive device
A lubricant supplying device wherein the lubricant supply line is connected to the drive device at a filling port and the lubricant discharge line is connected to the drive device at an evacuation port, with the filling port and the evacuation port arranged in an approximately diametrically opposite relationship with each other about the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft.
Gravity-referenced position sensor for filling and evacuation ports
A lubricant supplying device wherein the drive device has a position sensor located so as to detect a position of each of the filling port and the evacuation port relative to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft and with regard to gravity, the position sensor emitting signals relating to the positions of the filling port and the evacuation port.
Everted drive tube forming outer and inner tube portions with axially displaceable endoscope shaft
A lubricant supplying device comprising a drive tube everted at least once to form an outer and an inner tube portion and having an endoscope shaft mounted therein in an axially displaceable manner, together with a drive device configured to exert a driving force onto the inner tube portion thereby displacing the endoscope shaft along the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft.
Position sensor based endoscope including an everting tube drive
An endoscope comprising an endoscope shaft and an everting tube drive with a drive tube everted twice to form an outer and an inner tube portion and an axially displaceable mounting of the endoscope shaft, where a drive device in fluid connection with a lubricant supply line and a lubricant discharge line connects to diametrically opposite filling and evacuation ports and includes a position sensor detecting each port position relative to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft and with regard to gravity, the position sensor emitting signals.
Drive-device casing and lubricant lines connected at an axial end face
A lubricant supplying device wherein the drive device has a casing that encompasses the inner tube portion of the drive tube, with the lubricant supply line and the lubricant discharge line connected and arranged at an axial end face of the casing relative to the endoscope shaft.
The independent claims collectively require an everting tube drive that axially displaces an endoscope shaft using a drive device, with lubricant supplied and discharged through a filling port and evacuation port that are approximately diametrically opposite about the shaft axis. Both independents further require a position sensor that detects the port positions relative to the shaft axis and with regard to gravity, emitting signals used to relate filling and discharging to gravity-referenced orientation.
Stated Advantages
Reducing air-pocket formation.
Maintaining a substantially continuous lubricating film.
Reducing inclusion of air in lubricant lines.
Reducing contamination of the drive by patient organic material.
Documented Applications
Lubricant supplying and discharge for an endoscope everting tube drive, using a gravity-referenced diametrically opposed filling and evacuation port arrangement controlled by a position sensor.
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