# US 12,593,961 B2 · Endoscope system and suction unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,593,961 B2 - Document ID: US12593961B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/112,240 - Filed: 2023-02-21 - Published: 2023-08-24 - Granted: 2026-04-07 - Earliest claimed: 2022-02-23 - Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corp. - Applicants: Olympus Medical Systems Corp. - Inventors: Soichiro Shimizu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12593961B2 ## CPC - A61B 1/00068: {Valve switch arrangements} - A61B 1/00066: {Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles (A61B1/0052 takes precedence)} - A61B 1/00094: {Suction openings} - A61B 1/00119: {Tubes or pipes in or with an endoscope} - A61B 1/00128: {mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes} - A61B 1/0052: {Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles} - A61B 1/015: Control of fluid supply or evacuation - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An endoscope system includes an endoscope and a suction unit. The endoscope includes an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a subject, an operation portion provided on a proximal end side of the insertion portion, and an angle knob provided on the operation portion for operating the bending portion; and an opening provided in the operation portion, wherein the opening is connected to a lumen provided in the endoscope. The suction unit includes a suction conduit, a protrusion inserted into the opening, and a suction button. In a side view perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the angle knob, a center of a top surface of the suction button, a center of the opening, and the angle knob are arranged along an imaginary straight line with the center of the opening located between the center of the top surface of the suction button and the angle knob. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A suction unit for use with an endoscope, comprising: a suction button movable along a first axis; an attachment provided around the endoscope insertable protrusion; and an endoscope insertable protrusion extending along a second axis, wherein the second axis is tilted relative to the first axis, and wherein the attachment includes a rib on an inner surface thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The suction unit according to claim 1, wherein an angle at which the second axis is tilted relative to the first axis is equal to or smaller than 60°. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The suction unit according to claim 1, wherein the suction button includes a first suction channel, and wherein the suction unit further comprises a first suction tube having a second suction channel in fluid communication with the first suction channel of the suction button. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The suction unit according to claim 3, further comprising a body member having a third suction channel in fluid communication with the first suction channel of the suction button. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The suction unit according to claim 4, wherein the suction button extends from a first surface of the body member, wherein the endoscope insertable protrusion extends from a second surface of the body member, and wherein the first surface is on a different side of the body member from the second surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The suction unit according to claim 4, wherein the suction button is switchable between a first state and a second state, wherein, in the first state, the first suction channel of the suction button and the third suction channel of the body member are not in fluid communication, and wherein, in the second state, the first suction channel of the suction button and the third suction channel of the body member are in fluid communication. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The suction unit according to claim 6, wherein, in an absence of an applied external force, the suction button is biased to be in the first state. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The suction unit according to claim 4, further comprising a second suction tube having a fourth suction channel in fluid communication with the third suction channel of the body member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The suction unit according to claim 8, wherein the suction button includes a tube joint connecting the first suction tube, and wherein the tube joint extends opposite the second suction tube. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The suction unit according to claim 8, wherein the first suction tube extends along the second suction tube. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The suction unit according to claim 4, wherein the body member has an L shape. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The suction unit according to claim 4, wherein the suction button has a vent on a bottom surface of the suction button. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The suction unit according to claim 12, wherein the suction button is switchable between a first state and a second state, wherein, in the first state, the vent and the first suction channel of the suction button are in fluid communication, and wherein, in the second state, the third suction channel of the body member and the first suction channel of the suction button are in fluid communication. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The suction unit according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope insertable protrusion is configured to be inserted into an opening of a medical device to connect the suction unit to the medical device, and wherein, when the endoscope insertable protrusion is inserted into the opening, a connection between the suction unit and the medical device prevents relative movement between the suction until and the medical device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The suction unit according to claim 14, wherein a surface of the endoscope insertable protrusion includes a rib, and wherein, when the endoscope insertable protrusion is inserted into the opening, the rib is configured to prevent the endoscope insertable protrusion from being removed from the opening. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The suction unit according to claim 1, wherein the attachment has a circular shape. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The suction unit according to claim 1, wherein the attachment includes a protrusion configured to prevent the suction unit from rotating. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) An endoscope system, comprising: an endoscope including: an operation portion including a concavity; and the suction unit according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope insertable protrusion is inserted into the concavity. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The endoscope system according to claim 18, wherein the operation portion includes a button adjacent to the concavity, and wherein a height of the suction button from an outer surface of the operation housing is larger than a height of the button from the outer surface.