US 10,238,272 B2Granted

Endoscope mountable visualization device quick-connect/release handle attachment mechanism

AssigneeCook Medical Technologies LLC

InventorVictor Anthony Simmons

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Abstract

An endoscope can include an elongate, manipulable shaft with a distal-end visualization element and a handle body comprising at least one control surface for manipulating a distal region of the shaft, where the handle body includes a passage through which a length of the shaft is passable, and where the handle body includes a novel connection structure configured for firmly, securely, and removably mounting the handle to a channel of another endoscope in a manner axially aligning the passage with the channel to provide a path of communication for the shaft. A dual medical endoscope system can be constructed including a first and a second medical endoscope, where the first endoscope comprises an accessory channel with a proximal mounting port providing access thereto, and where the second endoscope comprises a handle body that is securely and removably attached to the proximal mounting port.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A first endoscope configured to be securely, rigidly, and removably coupled to a second endoscope including a second endoscope mounting port with a second endoscope mounting port base extending laterally out from a second endoscope longitudinal axis, from which base protrudes a second endoscope tubular element having an inner surface that defines a second endoscope accessory channel having a channel diameter, an outer surface spaced apart from the inner surface, and an annular lip that extends radially away and that includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the first endoscope comprising:

a manipulable shaft including a distal-end visualization element;
a handle body that includes:
at least one control surface for manipulating a distal region of the shaft;
and,
a passage through which a length of the shaft is passable;
a connection structure effective for coupling the handle body to a second endoscope and to axially align the passage with a second endoscope accessory channel, the connection structure including:
an extension configured to be inserted within a second endoscope accessory channel, the extension including an outer surface configured to provide a sealable connection with a second endoscope annular lip and/or a second endoscope tubular element inner surface;
one or more leg elements extending downwardly from the handle body, the leg elements dimensioned and configured to conform and fit firmly and securely against and in contact with opposing external longitudinal-side surfaces of a mounting port base of a second endoscope;
a locking mechanism configured to engage a second endoscope tubular element outer surface, said locking mechanism including a generally flat planar tab portion defining a major plane of the locking mechanism and extending out from a tab-actuation element, where the tab portion includes a tab portion aperture therethrough that is dimensioned to receive and engage securely and removably around and perpendicular to a flanged tubular port of a second endoscope accessory channel;
and,
a biasing mechanism configured to urge the locking mechanism towards the flanged tubular port.

8 more elements

A dual medical endoscope system comprising:

a first endoscope comprising:
a mounting port, the mounting port including a mounting port base extending laterally out of and away from a longitudinal axis of the first endoscope and a tubular element that extends away from the base mounting port, the tubular element including:
an outer surface having an outer diameter;
an inner surface spaced apart from the outer surface, the inner surface defining an accessory channel having a channel diameter;
and,
an annular lip that extends radially away from the tubular element;
a second endoscope configured to be securely, rigidly, and removably coupled to the first endoscope, the second endoscope comprising a handle body that includes:
a connection structure configured to couple the handle body to the first endoscope, the connection structure including:
a locking mechanism that engages by a radial approach the outer surface of the tubular element, the locking mechanism including a tapered surface;
a biasing mechanism configured to urge the locking mechanism towards the outer surface of the tubular element;
and
one or more leg elements extending downward from the handle body, the legs being dimensioned and configured to conform and fit firmly and securely against and in contact with opposing external longitudinal-side surfaces of the mounting port base of the first endoscope.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/863,732Filed 24 Sep 2015 · us provisional application
Priority: 29 Sep 2014
Published: US 2016/0089008 A131 Mar 2016
Granted: 26 Mar 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

A61B 1/0125
Characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor: endoscope within endoscope
A61B 1/00128
Connectors, fasteners and adapters, e.g. on the endoscope handle: mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
A61B
Medical diagnosis and surgery