Anti-Fogging System that can be Thermoregulated by Means of a Micro Controller for Rigid Endoscopes

Abstract

The end result, with the combination of an anti-fogging system that can be thermoregulated by means of a micro controller, for rigid endoscopes, which is the subject matter of the invention, is to have an apparently standard rigid endoscope (FIG. 4) that can withstand continuous temperature changes during surgical intervention, imparting value to the endoscopic device and preventing general fogging. With this thermoregulatable anti-fogging system, temperature levels can be controlled, it thereby being easy to prevent fogging/condensation in any intervention where a rigid endoscope is used, such as hysteroscopy, cystoscopy, general surgery, arthroscopy, etc. Using the invention completely prevents the need for the surgeon to remove the endoscope from inside the patient in the middle of surgery.

Thus, the surgeon does not become fatigued by continuous poor visibility. This reduces the duration of the intervention, optimising the process and providing the quality of vision anticipated for the endoscope in question.

Claims

1. A medical device for rigid endoscopy, comprising: a double coaxial tube structure formed by an external tube and an internal tube; wherein between both tubes there is a coaxial space wherein an optical fibre is located along the length of said coaxial space; a body including a light post for the optical fibre; wherein the body is coupled to a rear end segment of the double coaxial tube structure; and wherein the light post is configured to plug a light cable into it, and this to a light source; an eye piece connected to the body; lenses located inside the internal tube; an objective lens system located inside a front end section of the internal tube; wherein the front end section is located in an area opposite from the rear end section of the double coaxial tube structure; comprising an electrical resistor made of nichrome around the objective lens system which is located inside the coaxial space of the double coaxial tube structure; wherein said electrical resistor is coiled around the internal tube and fully adhered and insulated by means of with a high-temperature resistant tape which is stuck to an outer surface of the internal tube; and wherein the optical fibre-04 surrounds the electrical resistor which is configured to prevent the fogging of the objective lens system.

2. The medical device for rigid endoscopy, according to claim 1, wherein the body includes two connection pins configured for an electrical connection in order to power the electrical resistor for the regulation and control of temperature with electrical current.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] As a complement to the description provided and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, said description is accompanied by a set of drawings which, by way of illustration and not limitation, represent the following:

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the device of the invention without the external tube.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the side view of the device of the invention assembled in the final product, wherein the exploded view of the different elements making it up can be seen.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the device of the invention assembled in the final product.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the connection for the temperature control.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows another detailed view of the connection for the temperature control.

[0064] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of what is represented in FIG. 5.

[0065] FIG. 7 shows a detailed cross section of a front part of the device of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0066] In view of the mentioned drawings and according to the numbering used, the figures show a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[0067] The architecture of a rigid endoscope consists mainly of 4 parts: [0068] External tube (11) [0069] Body (12) [0070] Eye piece (13) [0071] Light post (14)

[0072] The external tube (11) houses the internal tube (2) wherein the lenses (7), type 1 spacers (8), type 2 spacers (6) and the objective lens system (5) are located. The optical fibre (9) and the electrical resistor (1) are located between the internal tube (2) and the external tube (11). The electrical resistor (1) is coiled on the surface of the internal tube (2) fully adhered and insulated by a high-temperature resistant tape. Therefore, the optical fibre (9) is located on the electrical resistor (1) already coiled on the internal tube (2), thus occupying the remaining space up to the internal surface of the external tube (11).

[0073] The body (12) is the component responsible for assembling each of the subassemblies making up the final product. The eye piece (13) together with the external tube (11) and the light post (14) are gathered therein. Therefore, it is the nexus between the subassemblies responsible for transmitting the vision, transmitting the light, and the thermocontrollable anti-fogging system.

[0074] The eye piece (13) therein groups all the elements related to the vision of the proximal end. The focus system (10) is located in this subassembly. The eye piece (13) is connected to the camera in order to be able to project the image obtained by the rigid endoscope on a monitor.

[0075] The light post (14) is the assembly responsible for housing the components related to the transmission of light. This assembly is connected directly to the light cable. The optical fibre (9) which extends along the inside of the external tube (11) passes through this assembly.

[0076] The electrical resistor (1) which is placed around the internal tube (2) is made of nichrome. Nichrome is an alloy made of nickel and chromium. It stands out for being a metal which is highly resistant to high temperatures and for having a high electrical resistance. The main properties thereof are: [0077] High resistance to corrosion and oxidation. [0078] High resistance to high temperatures (high melting point). [0079] High electrical resistance (it is not as good a conductor as other metals). [0080] It is not magnetic. [0081] Silver-grey colour. [0082] Resistant and flexible.

[0083] (https://www.micro-log.com/index.php?controller=attachment&id_attachment=19)

[0084] The temperature of the electrical resistor (1) can be regulated by reaching a variable temperature in a thermal interval between 30 and 50 degrees Celsius. The diameter of the electrical resistor (1) is 0.2 mm, the value of the electrical resistor (1) is 180Ω and the consumption thereof is 1.2 W.

[0085] The electrical resistor (1) is placed around the internal tube (2), previously insulated with a polyamide high-temperature resistant tape. Said tape is used successfully in applications at temperatures as low as −269 degrees Celsius and as high as 400 degrees Celsius. The tape has an adhesive film in order to be stuck to the internal tube (2) of the endoscope. It has high performance, reliability and durability, with a unique combination of electrical, thermal, chemical and mechanical properties.

[0086] (http://www.dupont.com/content/dam/dupont/products-and-services/membranes-and-films/polyimde-films/documents/DEC-Kapton-HN-datasheet.pdf)

[0087] Once the endoscope has been assembled, the electrical resistor (1) will be connected to two connection pins (15) which come out of the body (12) of the endoscope as shown in (FIG. 4) in order to be able to perform the thermal regulation with the equipment to which it will be connected.

[0088] FIG. 1 represents the device of the invention with the following elements: the electrical resistor (1), the internal tube (2), an eye piece ring (3) and an ID ring (4).