Adjustable endoscope sheath

#The present teachings generally relate to an endoscope sheath and more specifically to an endoscope sheath that is at least partially rotatable relative to an endoscope.

#Some endoscope sheaths include one or more features, such as a sheath tube tip, for cleaning a distal viewing end of an endoscope or for providing illuminating functions, viewing functions, or both to the distal viewing end of an endoscope and/or an internal location of a patient. To function properly, the sheath tube tip may need to be generally rotationally aligned with the distal viewing end of the endoscope, the internal location of the patient, or both. Some endoscope sheaths include a specific detail, such as an arm, configured to engage another specific detail on the endoscope like a light post. This type of engagement not only provides a connection means between the endoscope sheath and the endoscope, but also rotationally aligns the sheath tube tip and the distal viewing end. However, in some instances, the position of the light post may vary, which may, accordingly, affect the rotational alignment between the sheath tube tip and the distal viewing end of the endoscope, the internal location of the patient, or both. For example, in some instances, the light post can extend from the endoscope in different directions (e.g. the light post can extend upwardly or downwardly from the endoscope), which may affect the rotational alignment between the sheath tube tip and the distal viewing end of the endoscope, the internal location of the patient, or both. In these instances, to achieve rotational alignment there between, various individual endoscope sheath configurations may be required for engaging various individual endoscope configurations which may undesirably increase endoscope sheath inventory, increase the space required to store the increased endoscope sheath inventory, and also increase the time required to prepare for a medical procedure, for example. In other instances, for example, depending on how a doctor holds the endoscope, the light post can be made to extend upwardly, downwardly, or in a different direction, which may also affect the rotational alignment of the sheath tube tip relative to the internal location of the patient. What is needed is a single endoscope sheath that can engage an endoscope with an upwardly extending light post, a downwardly extending light post, or a light post extending in a direction in between, while providing for the sheath tube tip to be rotationally adjusted relative to the distal viewing end of the endoscope, an internal location of a patient, or both. Some examples of endoscope sheaths can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,811,228, 5,554,112, and 5,797,836; U.S. Pat. Pubs. 2013/0205936 and 2002/0120180; and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/493,700 and 14/493,581, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes.

#The present teachings provide a sheath tube extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the sheath tube is configured to receive at least a portion of an endoscope; a hub connected to the proximal end of the sheath tube; and a hub adapter engaging the hub and configured to engage the endoscope, wherein the sheath tube can rotate about the longitudinal axis without rotation of the hub adapter, and wherein the sheath tube is restricted from moving axially along the longitudinal axis relative to the hub adapter.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an endoscope inserted or received into an endoscope sheath in accordance with the teachings herein;

#FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of an endoscope inserted or received into an endoscope sheath in accordance with the teachings herein; the endoscope is shown with an upwardly extending light post;

#FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of an endoscope inserted or received into an endoscope sheath in accordance with the teachings herein; the endoscope is shown with a downwardly extending light post:

#The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the teachings its principles, and its practical application. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the teachings in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use. Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present teachings as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

#The present teachings provide a system and an endoscope sheath for use with an endoscope. The system may function to clean and protect an endoscope sheath, an endoscope, or both. The system may function to clean and protect a distal end of an endoscope. The system may function to clean an image sensor, a lens, or a device located at a distal viewing end of an endoscope. The system may include one or more irrigation sources supplying an irrigation fluid to an endoscope sheath, an endoscope, a distal viewing end of an endoscope, or a combination thereof, and one or more suction sources pulling suction from an endoscope sheath, an endoscope, a distal viewing end of an endoscope, or a combination thereof. The one or more irrigation sources, suction sources, or both may be in constant communication, selective communication, or both with an endoscope sheath, an endoscope, a distal viewing end of an endoscope, or a combination thereof. The system may include one or more control modules that may function to control the one or more irrigation sources, suction sources, endoscope sheaths, endoscopes, or a combination thereof.

#The one or more control modules may function to control an amount of irrigation fluid, suction, or both supplied, applied, or pulled to/from an endoscope sheath, an endoscope, a distal viewing end of an endoscope, an area or location of interest, a surgical site, or a combination thereof. The one or more control modules may control a running speed, pumping duration, or both of the one or more pumps supplying irrigation fluid. The one or more control modules may control an order of application of irrigation fluid, suction, or both. The one or more control modules may function to stop a flow of irrigation fluid or suction, apply a flow of irrigation fluid or suction, or a combination thereof. The one or more control modules may include a power source, which may be electricity, battery, or both. The one or more control modules may include a microprocessor, a computer, a control algorithm, or a combination thereof. The one or more control modules may include one or more user interfaces, one or more pumps, one or more valves, or a combination thereof.