Abstract
A rigid endoscope, preferably a disposable endoscope, with a rigid tubular body comprises a separate observation channel having a closed end, into which an optical instrument (e.g. a camera) may be introduced. The rigid endoscope may be an anoscope, a rectoscope, a vaginoscope or an amnioscope.
Claims
1. A rigid endoscope having a rigid tubular body with first and second ends and a through-going bore through which an instrument may be introduced to emerge from an opening at a first end of the bore, characterized by an observation channel having: a portion with a closed end arranged at a distance (d) behind said opening, an open end, and an end cap configured for sealable and releasable connection to the open end, said observation channel configured for accommodating at least an optical instrument operably connected to an assembly comprising a power pack, a wireless transmitter, and a control unit configured for insertion into said observation channel, wherein the end cap secures and seals said assembly inside the observation channel; and the portion of the observation channel is arranged completely or partially within a circumference of the tubular body, or is arranged completely or partially within the bore.
2. The rigid endoscope of claim 1, wherein the closed end) is arranged in the vicinity of said opening and the second end of the tubular body.
3. The rigid endoscope of claim 1, wherein the closed end is made of a transparent material.
4. The rigid endoscope of claim 1, wherein the closed end comprises an optical lens.
5. The rigid endoscope of claim 1, wherein the open end is configured for connection to a protective sleeve.
6. The rigid endoscope of claim 1, wherein the endoscope is made of a plastic material and is intended for being discarded after use.
7. (canceled)
8. The rigid endoscope (1) of claim 1, wherein the endoscope is an anoscope, a rectoscope, a vaginoscope, or an amnioscope.
9. (canceled)
10. The rigid endoscope of claim 1, wherein the optical instrument comprises a camera.
11. The rigid endoscope of claim 1, wherein the power pack comprises at least one of: (i) a rechargeable battery pack, or (ii) an induction charging unit.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] These and other characteristics of the invention will become clear from the following description of embodiments, given as non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a sketch of an embodiment of the endoscope according to the invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view of the endoscope illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG. 1, and shows in addition a camera and light introduced into the observation channel;
[0019] FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 3, and shows in addition a biopsy tool introduced through the endoscopy bore;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a sketch of a system utilizing the endoscope according to the invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of the endoscope according to the invention, with an obdurator installed in the tubular bore;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, with the obdurator removed;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, with the obdurator removed; and
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, with the obdurator installed in the tubular bore.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
[0025] The following description will use terms such as horizontal, vertical, lateral, back and forth, up and down, upper, lower, inner, outer, forward, rear, behind, in front of, etc. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the drawings and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader's convenience only and shall not be limiting.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the endoscope 1 according to the invention, having a tubular body 2 with a first end 2a and a second end 2b. For the purpose of this description, and in keeping with common terminology in the field of use, the first end 2a will also be referred to as the distal end and the second end 2b will also be referred to as the proximal end. A collar 19 is arranged near the proximal end 2b. For the purpose of this description, the term endoscope shall mean a rigid endoscope, and more specifically, an anoscope, a rectoscope, a vaginoscope or an amnioscope. The endoscope 1 shown in FIG. 1 may therefore be an anoscope or a rectoscope, one difference between the two being the length of the tubular body 2, as discussed above. In the case of a rectoscope, an end cap 3 and corresponding seal 4 are arranged at the proximal end 2b to seal off that end of the tubular body which is not inserted into the rectum. Also, a rubber bulb 11 may be connected to the tubular body 2 bore 6 via a hose 12 (drawn in dotted lines to indicate optional feature). In use, the rubber bulb 11 is squeezed to increase the pressure in the cavity which is formed by the tubular body bore 6 and closed off at the proximal end by the end cap 3, whereby the rectum wall is dilated.
[0027] The invented endoscope 1 comprises in the illustrated embodiment an observation channel 7 having a portion 18 extending along the tubular body bore 6 and having a closed end 10 in a region in the vicinity of the bore opening 5. The closed end 10 is formed of a transparent material and may comprise a lens (not shown per se). An outer portion of the observation channel 7 is bent with respect to the portion 18 and may conveniently be used as a handle 8 The observation channel 7 comprises in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 an open end 9, into which a camera, light source, etc., may be inserted. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the portion 18 of the observation channel is arranged inside the bore 6. Having the portion 18 generally within the bore 6 circumference and generally within the tubular body 2, provides for a slender and compact design. The observation channel material is preferably a light-weight, plastic material, and may be transparent or translucent.
[0028] In FIG. 3 an optical instrument 13 has been inserted into the observation channel 7 (a part of which may also be used as a handle 8). Such optical instruments, which may comprise a camera (and light source) 14, are well known in the art and need therefore not be described in more detail here. It will suffice to mention that the optical instrument 13 is inserted a sufficient distance into the observation channel 7 such that the camera 14 is arranged near or at the closed end 10.
[0029] The closed end 10 terminates a distance d behind the distal end 2a. The distance d may for example be between 2 and 5 cm, but the invention shall not be limited to such dimensions. One advantageous effect of arranging the closed end 10 a distance d behind (i.e. receded from) the distal end 2a, is that the view of the tissue to be examined (by the optical instrument) is not obstructed. In use, the tissue in the body cavity to be examined is dilated by the distal end 2b, providing an unobstructed view from the closed end 10.
[0030] A protective sleeve 16, for example a plastic tube, is in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 arranged around that part of the optical instrument 13 which is not inside the observation channel 7, and is sealed around the observation channel 7 open end via a seal ring (e.g. an elastic band) 15.
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates one possible use of the invented endoscope 1, with the optical instrument 13 installed in the observation channel 7, and an instrument (e.g. a biopsy tool) 17 inserted through the endoscopy bore 6. The physician may thus perform a procedure inside the anus, rectum or vagina by operating the instrument 17 through the bore 6, while visually observing the procedure through the optical instrument 13 (and camera 14) installed in the observation channel 7. The closed end 10 and the protective sleeve 16 prevent contamination of the optical instrument 13, and thus render disinfection before use in another procedure unnecessary.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 5, the invented rigid endoscope 1 may be combined with a camera (and preferably an LED light source) 24, configured for insertion into the observation channel 7, near the closed end 10. The camera 24 is connected via a cable 20 to a wireless transmitter 22 (e.g. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or similar), a control unit 23 and a power pack 21 (internal connections not illustrated). The power pack 21 may comprise one or more rechargeable batteries (e.g. to be recharged by induction charging). The power pack 21, control unit 23 and wireless transmitter 22 are configured for complete insertion into the observation channel 7. A removable end cap 25 secures and seals this assembly inside the observation channel and effectively seals the observation channel. The control unit 23 may comprise a device by means of which the camera 24 may be operated. Such device may for example be a control knob 27 on the control unit 23, operable by pressing a flexible portion 26 on the observation channel wall. The camera may also be operated by wireless remote control, as the skilled person will understand.
[0033] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the closed end 10 terminates in the vicinity of, but a distance d behind, the distal end 2a, as explained above with reference to FIG. 1.
[0034] FIGS. 6-9 provide further illustrations of the invented rigid endoscope, of which FIGS. 6 and 9 also illustrate an obdurator 28.
[0035] In a practical application, the invented anoscope, rectoscope, vaginoscope or amnioscope may be disposable, while the camera may be used again but without any need for disinfection (other than being swiped with a cloth stained with an alcohol) because it is arranged in a compartment (the observation channel 7) which is sealed off from the tubular body bore 6. In the case of a rectoscope, it is possible to perform procedures with a dilated rectum wall.
