COUPLER DEVICE FOR AN ENDOSCOPE

Abstract

An endoscope accessory, such as a coupler device, is provided that includes a main body with a visualization section for allowing viewing of tissue by the endoscope and a proximal end configured for attachment to a distal end portion of the endoscope. The device includes a passage within the main body having an exit portal and a proximal end aligned with the working channel of the endoscope. An instrument passing through the passage is capable of angular adjustment relative to the main body of the coupler device by actuation of the endoscope.

Claims

1. A device for use with an endoscope having a working channel, the device comprising: a main body comprising a visualization section for allowing viewing of tissue by the endoscope and a proximal end configured for attachment to a distal end portion of the endoscope; a passage within the main body having an exit portal and a proximal end aligned with the working channel of the endoscope; and wherein an instrument passing through the passage is capable of angular adjustment relative to the main body by actuation of the endoscope.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a working channel extension within the main body, the working channel extension having an open distal end and a proximal end that is configured for attachment to the working channel of the endoscope.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the proximal end of the working channel extension is configured for insertion into the working channel of the endoscope.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a flexible membrane at least partially surrounding the exit portal.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to compress a portion of the passage against the instrument to secure the instrument in place within the passage.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the main body of the device further includes an elevator for angular adjustment of the instrument.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a mechanism for articulating an instrument passing through the passage.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the working channel extension is flexible and capable of angular adjustment by actuation of the endoscope.

9. The device of claim 4, wherein the flexible membrane is coupled to an outer surface of the main body.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises an elastic or elastomeric material.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the endoscope comprises a side-viewing scope.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the endoscope includes an elevator for angular adjustment of the instrument.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the endoscope includes a cable for angular adjustment of the instrument.

14. A system comprising: an endoscope having an elongate shaft within a working channel; and a coupler device having a main body comprising a visualization section for allowing viewing of tissue by the endoscope and a proximal end configured for attachment to a distal end portion of the endoscope; a passage within the main body having an open distal end and a proximal end aligned with the working channel of the endoscope; and wherein an instrument passing through the passage is capable of angular adjustment relative to the main body by actuation of the endoscope.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a working channel extension within the main body, the working channel extension having an open distal end and a proximal end that is configured for attachment to, or insertion within, the working channel of the endoscope.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a flexible membrane at least partially surrounding the exit portal.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the device is configured to compress a portion of the passage against the instrument to secure the instrument in place within the passage.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the main body of the device further includes an elevator for angular adjustment of the instrument.

19. The system of claim 14, further comprising a mechanism for articulating an instrument passing through the passage.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the working channel extension is flexible and capable of angular adjustment by actuation of the endoscope.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the flexible membrane is coupled to an outer surface of the main body.

22. The system of claim 14, wherein the main body comprises an elastic or elastomeric material.

23. The system of claim 14, wherein the endoscope comprises a side-viewing scope.

24. The system of claim 14, wherein the endoscope includes an elevator for angular adjustment of the instrument.

25. The system of claim 14, wherein the endoscope includes a cable for angular adjustment of the instrument.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0029] FIGS. 1A AND 1B are isometric views of an exemplary embodiment of the coupler device of the present disclosure in use with a duodenum scope.

[0030] FIGS. 2A and 2B show partial cutaway views of the coupler device and a duodenum scope of FIGS. 1A AND 1B, respectively.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows another cutaway view of the coupler device and a duodenum scope of FIGS. 1A AND 1B.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows still another cutaway view of the coupler device and a duodenum scope of FIGS. 1A AND 1B.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view of the coupler device and a duodenum scope of FIGS. 1A AND 1B in a first position.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a cutaway side view of the coupler device and a duodenum scope of FIGS. 1A AND 1B in a second position.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a cutaway side view of the coupler device and a duodenum scope of FIGS. 1A AND 1B in a third position.

[0036] FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of the working channel extension with membrane of the coupler device of FIGS. 1A AND 1B.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a top-down view of the coupler device of FIGS. 1A AND 1B.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a cutaway view of another exemplary embodiment of a coupler device of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 11 is a cutaway side view of the coupler device of FIG. 10.

[0040] FIG. 12 is a cutaway side view of the coupler device of FIG. 10 in use with a duodenum scope.

[0041] FIG. 13 is an enlarged side view of an exemplary embodiment of a working channel extension of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 14 is another enlarged side view of the working channel extension of FIG. 13.

[0043] FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the working channel extension of FIG. 13 and FIG. 15B shows the working channel extension of FIG. 15A in use with an instrument.

[0044] FIG. 16 is a perspective top-down view of the coupler device of FIG. 1 with a locking feature.

[0045] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a working channel extension of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a coupler device 10 of the present disclosure. The coupler device 10 serves as an accessory component for currently existing endoscopes. The device seals and covers infection prone areas of the scope to prevent ingress of debris, fluid, or other unwanted matter that could lead to bacterial contamination and decreased performance of the scope. In addition, the coupler device 10 provides a flexible working channel for instruments to be inserted into the scope. The flexible working channel can be angularly adjustable with ease. As shown, the coupler device 10 may be used with a duodenum scope 40 or other side-viewing scope instrument. It is understood, of course, that the coupler device 10 may be adapted for use with end viewing scopes as well. In addition, the coupler device 10 of the present disclosure can be used with all types of scopes for different medical applications. The duodenum scope 40 shown here is merely for illustrative purposes.

[0047] As FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate, the coupler device 10 may comprise a main body 12, proximal end 14 and distal end 16, lower surface 18 and upper surface 20. The proximal end 14 attaches onto a working end of a duodenum scope 40, extending the working end portion of the scope 40. The upper surface 20 may include a lens and light guide 24 and a scope washer opening 28, which is used to push fluid across the scope camera to wash debris off the camera and is also used to push air across the camera to dry the camera and insufflate the patient's gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the upper surface 20 includes a flexible working channel region 30 that includes a flexible working channel extension 34 that is surrounded by a flexible membrane 38. This flexible membrane 38 serves as a protective hood or covering for the working end of the coupler device 10, providing for flexible articulation while sealing out debris, fluid, bacteria or other unwanted matter.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the duodenum scope 40 may comprise a light guide 44, lens 46 and washer opening 48. The coupler device 10 cooperates with each of these components of the scope 40 to provide a fully functioning scope. The coupler device 10 does not interfere with the scope's ability to emit a clear image, but instead reduces the risk of contamination with each use. This benefit is achieved by providing a coupler device 10 which attaches to the working end components of the scope 40, and seals around the working end.

[0049] As further shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B 2A, 2B, 3 and 4, the coupler device 10 provides an extension of the scope's working channel 42. The working channel extension 34 of the coupler device 10 in FIG. 1 is flexible and may contact the scope's working channel 42 by a sealed connection, as shown in FIG. 4, at the proximal end 34a of the working channel extension. The distal end 34b of the working channel extension 34 serves as an exit portal for instruments to pass through the scope 40 to reach different areas of the body.

[0050] Additionally, the coupler device 10 provides a further seal around the elevator 50 of the scope. Because the coupler device 10 seals the elevator 40, risk of debris influx, fluids, bacteria and other matter build up behind the elevator and working channel is reduced significantly. This influx of debris, bacteria and other matter is believed to be the reason for drug resistant infections with current scopes today. While preventing influx, the coupler device 10 advantageously maintains flexibility to move the working channel extension 34.

[0051] In use, the scope's working channel extension 34 permits passage of instruments down the scope working channel 42 and through and out the working channel extension 34 of the device 40 for assessment and treatment of tissue and other matter. Such instruments may include cannula, catheters, stents and stent delivery systems, papillotomes, wires, other imaging devices including mini-scopes, baskets, snares and other devices for use with a scope in a lumen. This working channel extension 34 is flexible enough that the elevator 50 of the scope 40 can raise and lower the working channel extension 34 so that instruments can be advanced down and out of the working channel extension distal end (or exit portal) 34b of the scope 40 at various angles, or be raised and lowered by a cable or other means to articulate the working channel extension 34.

[0052] As FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate, in use when the elevator 50 of the scope 40 is actuated, the flexible working channel extension 34 of the coupler device moves or adjusts to this actuation, along the direction A-A In FIG. 5, the elevator 50 is raised slightly, creating a hinged ramp or shoulder that pushes the working channel extension 34 a corresponding angle and shifts the exit portal or distal end 34b of the working channel extension to the left. In FIG. 6 the elevator is raised higher than in FIG. 5, such that the distal end 34b of working channel extension 34 is likewise shifted further to the left in comparison to FIG. 5, while FIG. 7 shows the elevator 50 raised even higher and the distal end 34b of working channel extension 34 moved to the left even further in comparison to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0053] As FIG. 8 shows, the ability of the distal end 34b of working channel extension 34 to shift along the width of the working channel region 30 of the coupler device 10 is in part due to the fact that the distal end 34b is itself attached to a flexible membrane 38. This flexible membrane 38 comprises a plurality of loose folds or creases, allowing the excess material to stretch and bend as the elevator actuation forces the working channel extension to bend and shift in response. In addition, the flexible membrane 38 acts as a protective cover or hood for the working channel region 38, preventing the ingress of fluids, debris, or other unwanted matter from getting inside the scope 40 and causing a bacterial contamination or the infusion of other unwanted fluid, debris or particulate matter.

[0054] It is contemplated that the coupler device 10 of the present disclosure may be configured for single, disposable use, or it may be configured for reuse. The coupler device 10 may be made of any biocompatible material, such as for example, silicone or another elastic or polymeric material. In addition, the material may be transparent. As shown in FIG. 9, the coupler device 10 may be formed of a transparent material to provide a transparent covering of the scope camera and light source, thereby allowing unhindered performance of the scope 40.

[0055] FIGS. 10 to 12 show another exemplary embodiment of a coupler device 10 of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the coupler device 10 is adapted for use with scopes that are actuated by cable and eliminates the need for the elevator component. As illustrated, the coupler device 10 maintains the same structural features as previously described, but now includes a further disposable external sheath 60 that can receive an interior actuating cable 54 of the scope. This cable 54 can be detached from the elevator and reattached to the flexible working channel extension 34 of the coupler device 10. The elevator is no longer needed in this embodiment, as actuation of the cable effects movement of the working channel extension 34. The external sheath 60 may be configured to attach directly to the scope 40, such as by winding around the outside of the scope or by a friction fit connection. In embodiments, multiple cables may be included in one or more sheaths to provide for articulation in other quadrants than the single axis articulation with elevators in current duodenoscopes.

[0056] In other embodiments, the coupler device 10 may also include a closable port (i.e., self-sealing) that allows for the injection of anti-adhesion, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory or other drug or infusible matter that prevents the adherence or colonization of bacteria on the scope. An applicator may be provided that is integrated into the coupler device 10 with a port for delivery of the infusible matter. Alternatively, the applicator may be separate from the coupler device 10 and applied to the distal end of the scope 40. The infusible matter may include forms of silver, including in a gel or other solution, platinum, copper, other anti-adhesion, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory or other drug or infusible matter that is compatible with the scope and coupler device materials and biocompatible for patient use.

[0057] In one exemplary embodiment, the device includes an anti-infective material. In another exemplary embodiment, the device includes an anti-infective coating. In still another embodiment, the device includes a coating that is hydrophobic. In yet another embodiment, the device is superhydrophobic. In even still another embodiment, the device is anti-infective and hydrophobic. Further yet in another embodiment, the device is anti-infective and superhydrophobic. In further still another exemplary embodiment, anti inflammatory coatings are incorporated into the device.

[0058] In one exemplary embodiment, the device 10 may include a silver ion coating. In another embodiment, the device 10 may have a silver hydrogel applied, infused, or made part of the device 10 in the area that covers or goes around the scope elevators. In addition to silver having antimicrobial properties, silver can also conduct electricity. Thus, in still another embodiment, the device 10 may include an electrical wire or other power transmission point to enable the creation of an electric field across the silver ion coating to improve the ability of the silver ion coating to prevent infection. In some embodiments, the electrical wire or other power transmission point may also apply to other antimicrobial and conductive materials, including platinum and copper.

[0059] FIGS. 13 and 14 show another embodiment of the working channel extension 134 of the present disclosure. As contemplated, the working channel extensions may comprise a combination of different materials. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the working channel extension 134 may be formed of multiple elastic materials joined to a biocompatible metal. In some embodiments, one of the elastic materials may be PTFE and another elastic material may be a biocompatible elastic material that covers the biocompatible metal. In the example of FIG. 13, the working channel extension 134 may comprise an inner elastic material 110 and an outer elastic material. The outside of the working channel extension 134 may include a biocompatible metal 130, which may take the form of a coil or winding 132. In one embodiment, the biocompatible metal may be encapsulated by one or more of the elastic materials.

[0060] In FIG. 14, the outer biocompatible elastic material 120 is formed to create a gasket 122 to seal the proximal end of the working channel extension against 134 the working channel of an endoscope, creating a seal to prevent the intrusion of unwanted bacteria, biomatter and other material into this sealed area.

[0061] In FIG. 15A, a working channel extension 134 is shown with an adjustable angle of exit 8 for locking an instrument 100 in place. In this embodiment, when the angle of exit 8 is adjusted, it creates compressive force in the working channel 134, locking an instrument 100 in place, as shown in FIG. 15B. This can be used to fixate an instrument while a wire is advanced through the instrument, or to fixate a wire, while a second instrument is exchanged over the wire.

[0062] In FIG. 16, an alternative embodiment is shown for locking an instrument 100 in place. In this embodiment, the working channel extension 134 is raised to a point in which the instrument 100 in the working channel extension 134 is compressed against a lock 80 on the device 10, causing a change in the angle of exit of the working channel extension 134 and locking the instrument 100 in a fixated place in the working channel extension 134.

[0063] In FIG. 17, an alternative embodiment of the working channel extension 234 is shown with a flange 268 for attaching the working channel extension to the membrane material 38 that is part of the device 10.

[0064] Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiment disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the embodiment being indicated by the following claims.