ENDOSCOPE

Abstract

There is provided an endoscope for use in intubation. The endoscope comprises a housing, a display device having a display screen, and an operative member extending from the housing, the operative member being configured to be inserted into a patients airway and to transmit images to the display screen. The housing comprises an actuator coupled to the operative member and a retainer coupled to the display screen, the housing having a handle portion comprising at least the actuator, and the actuator being single-handedly rotatable by a user relative to the retainer, such that the operative member is rotatable relative to the display screen.

Claims

1. An endoscope for use in intubation, the endoscope comprising a housing, a display device having a display screen, and an operative member extending from the housing, the operative member being configured to be inserted into a patient's airway and to transmit images to the display screen, the housing comprising an actuator coupled to the operative member and a retainer coupled to the display screen, the housing having a handle portion comprising at least the actuator, and the actuator being single-handedly rotatable by a user relative to the retainer, such that the operative member is rotatable relative to the display screen.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the actuator and the retainer are arranged such that they are engageable by first and second parts of the operator's body, the first and second parts of the operator's body being capable of movement relative to each other.

3. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the first part of the operator's body is a part of a first hand and associated fingers of the operator and the second part of the operator's body is a different part of the first hand and associated fingers of the operator.

4. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the actuator is arranged to be engageable by at least one finger of the operator, and the retainer is arranged to be engageable by at least one different finger of the operator, such that the operator may effect rotation of the actuator and the retainer relative to each other through relative movement of their fingers.

5. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the handle portion comprises the actuator and the retainer.

6. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the actuator and the retainer are rotatable relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the operative member.

7. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the actuator and the retainer are rotatable relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

8. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the operative member extends from the housing substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

9. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is formed by a head portion that is fixed relative to the handle portion, the head portion being arranged at the opposite end of the housing relative to the end from which the operative member extends.

10. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a first actuator member for controlling rotation of the operative member relative to the handle portion.

11. The endoscope according to claim 10, wherein the first actuator member comprises a wheel, the wheel being rotatable within the actuator, the wheel being positioned with a slot in the actuator.

12. (canceled)

13. The endoscope according to claim 11, the wheel being mechanically connected to the operative member such that rotation of the wheel initiates rotation of the operative member, wherein the wheel is rotatable in a first direction to rotate the operative member in a first direction relative to the handle portion and the wheel is rotatable in a second direction to rotate the operative member in a second direction relative to the handle portion.

14. (canceled)

15. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the actuator is a head portion arranged at the opposite end of the handle portion relative to the end from which the operative member extends, and the retainer is the remainder of the handle portion, the head portion and the remainder of the handle portion being rotatable relative to each other.

16. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the display screen is spatially separated from the handle portion and a user's wrist is positionable between the display screen and the end of the housing from which the operative member extends.

17. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes an arm portion that extends between the handle portion and the display screen device.

18. The endoscope according to claim 17, wherein the arm portion extends from the end of the handle portion from which the operative member extends.

19. The endoscope according to claim 17, wherein the arm portion is arranged to rest against the inside of the operator's wrist.

20. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the display device is accommodated within a display screen portion of the housing that is formed integrally with at least the handle portion of the housing.

21. The endoscope according to claim 20, wherein the housing of the endoscope comprises at least one housing component that defines a portion of the handle housing portion and the display screen housing portion.

22. (canceled)

23. A method of manufacturing an endoscope, the method comprising: providing a housing, a display device having a display screen, and an operative member extending from the housing, the operative member being configured to be inserted into a patient's airway and to transmit images to the display screen, and the housing comprising an actuator coupled to the operative member and a retainer coupled to the display screen, and arranging the housing to have a handle portion comprising at least the actuator, and the actuator to be single-handedly rotatable by a user relative to the retainer, such that the operative member is rotatable relative to the display screen.

Description

[0074] Practicable embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0075] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an endoscope;

[0076] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the endoscope of FIG. 1;

[0077] FIG. 3 is an underside perspective view of the endoscope of FIGS. 1 and 2 connected to an operative member;

[0078] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view through the endoscope of FIGS. 1-3; and

[0079] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of an endoscope similar to that of FIGS. 1-3, but having an alternative actuation mechanism for rotational movement of an operative member.

[0080] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate an endoscope 10 according to the present disclosure. The endoscope 10 comprises a body portion 20 having a head portion 40 at one end. Extending from the other end of the body portion 20 is an arm portion 30. At the other end of the arm portion 30 is an integrated display portion 50 comprising a display screen. The head portion 40 comprises an actuator 60 mounted within a slot 70. The body portion 20 further comprises a port 80 configured to receive, and connect to, an operative member, the operative member being for insertion into a patient's airway in use.

[0081] The body portion 20 is a substantially cylindrical body, having a circumference and length similar to that of a user's hand grip, such that the body portion 20 can be easily held in one hand by a user. The body portion 20 has a substantially concave rear edge, such that the head portion 40 and the lower end of the body portion 20 extend further outwards at the rear of the endoscope 10, further aiding a user's grip of the endoscope 10.

[0082] The head portion 40 is also a substantially cylindrical body of a similar circumference to the body portion 20. The arm portion 30 extends substantially perpendicularly to the body portion 20, such that the body portion 20 and the arm portion 30 form a substantially L-shaped endoscope body. The arm portion 30 is a substantially cuboidal body, with rounded edges, that is substantially less in diameter than the body portion 20 and the head portion 40.

[0083] On its front side, the head portion 40 comprises a recess, the recess having the slot 70 therein. Within the slot 70 is an actuator 60 that is vertically moveable from one end of the slot 70 to the other. The slot 70 and the actuator 60 are also positioned on the front side of the head portion 40 such that a user may operate the actuator 60 with their thumb when holding the endoscope 10 and viewing the display screen.

[0084] At the bottom end of the body portion 20, ie the surface opposite the head portion 40, is the port 80. The port 80 is substantially circular and is configured to receive, and connect to, a flexible operative member 100 (shown in FIG. 3), the operative member 100 being for insertion into a patient in use.

[0085] On the opposing side of the head portion 40 to the slot 70 and the actuator 60 is a grip portion 90 (see FIG. 2). The grip portion 90 is positioned on the rear side of the head portion 40 such that it may be contacted by a first finger of the user when holding the endoscope 10.

[0086] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view through the endoscope 10 of FIGS. 1-3, which illustrates the mechanics by which the head portion 40 and the actuator 60 control movement of an operative member 100 received within port 80.

[0087] The head portion 40 is rotatable relative to the body portion 20, and fixedly connected to the operative member 100 via connecting member 120. The head portion 40 and the connecting member 120 may be formed as a unitary component for insertion into a corresponding receiving channel running through the body portion 20. In use, an operative member 100 is inserted through port 80 and fixedly connected to the connecting member 120. Connecting member 120 extends between the port 80 and the head portion 40 through the body portion 20, mechanically connecting the head portion 40 to the operative member 100 received therein.

[0088] Rotation of the head portion 40 relative to the body portion 20 therefore causes corresponding rotation of the connecting member 120 and the operative member 100 relative to the body portion 20, ie about the longitudinal axis of the operative member 100. Thus, rotation of the head portion 40 in an anticlockwise direction causes rotation of the operative member 100 in an anticlockwise direction, and rotation of the head portion 40 in a clockwise direction causes rotation of the operative member 100 in a clockwise direction.

[0089] The grip portion 90 is particularly useful for this function since it allows a user holding the endoscope to rotate the head portion 40 using only a first finger contacting the grip portion 90.

[0090] This arrangement allows a user to rotate the head portion 40, and thus rotate the operative member 100, with just a single finger, whilst keeping the body portion 20 still with the remainder of their hand. This relative movement enables the user to control the operative member 100 without changing the orientation of the display 50 relative to themselves, thus allowing them to maintain a constant view of the display, and thus the patient's trachea, in use.

[0091] The actuator 60 comprises a lever moveable within the slot 70 so as to control a movement of the operative member 100, in use. In particular, the actuator is moveable within the slot 70 so as to control the orientation of a distal tip portion of the operative member 100, such that the distal tip portion of the operative member 100 is movable to a range of oblique angles relative to a main body of the operative member 100. In use, the operative member 100 is inserted into the trachea of a patient and the distal tip portion of the operative member 100 can then be moved relative to the main body of the operative member 100. An appropriate mechanism is shown in detail in US 2018/0303317 A1.

[0092] The connecting member 120 comprises a channel, through which a pair of threads connect actuator 60 to an operative member 100 received within port 80. The actuator 60 is mechanically connected to a wheel 140, which in turn is connected to the pair of threads at a first end of each thread. The threads are connected to the operative member 100 at a second end of each thread.

[0093] As the actuator 60 is moved one way within slot 70, it will rotate the wheel 140 in an anticlockwise direction, thus tightening a first of the threads and bending the distal tip portion such that it is angled relative to the main body of the operative member 100 in a first direction. As the actuator 60 is moved in the opposite direction within slot 70, it will rotate the wheel 140 in the clockwise direction, thus tightening the second of the threads and bending the distal tip portion such that it is angled relative to the main body of the operative member 100 in a second, opposite direction. Hence, when the actuator 60 is positioned centrally within the slot 70, the distal tip portion is aligned with the main body of the operative member 100, rather than angled.

[0094] It will be appreciated that alternative known actuation mechanisms may be implemented to control both rotation of the operative member 100 and articulation of the distal tip portion of the operative member 100.

[0095] One such alternative for controlling rotation of the operative member 100 is illustrated in FIG. 5. In this alternative embodiment, the endoscope 10 comprises a wheel 160 positioned within a slot on a rear face of the head portion 40. In this embodiment, the head portion 40 is fixed relative to the body portion 20, and instead the wheel 160 controls rotational movement of the operative member 100. The wheel 160 is rotatable within the head portion 40, and is therefore rotatable relative to both the head portion 40 and the body portion 20.

[0096] Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the operative member 100 is inserted through port 80 and fixedly received within a channel, eg with a snap fit. The channel extends between the port 80 and the wheel 160 through the body portion 20 and the head portion 40, mechanically connecting the wheel 160 to the operative member 100 received therein. Rotation of the wheel 160 within the head portion 40 therefore causes corresponding rotation of the channel 120 and the operative member 100 relative to the body portion 20, ie about the longitudinal axis of the operative member 100.

[0097] Thus, rotation of the wheel 160 in an anticlockwise direction causes rotation of the operative member 100 in an anticlockwise direction, and rotation of the wheel 160 in a clockwise direction causes rotation of the operative member 100 in a clockwise direction.

[0098] Similar to the embodiment described in relation to FIG. 4, this arrangement allows a user to rotate the wheel 160 within the head portion 40, and thus rotate the operative member 100, without changing the orientation of the display 50, allowing them to maintain a constant view of the display, and thus the patient's trachea, in use.

[0099] Other alternative actuation mechanisms for controlling rotation of the operative member and/or articulation of the distal tip portion of the operative member may include, for example, the above-described wheel mechanism 160 housed within the body portion 20, or an additional actuating arrangement similar to the actuator 60 and slot 70 described above for use in rotation of the operative member.

[0100] The operative member 100 comprises a light source such as an LED at its distal tip, ie the end of the operative member 100 that enters the trachea of a patient first during use. The light source is used to illuminate an interior surface of the patient, from which the images transmitted to the display device are obtained. The operative member 100 comprises one or more light guides, eg optical fibres, that extend from the body portion 20 to the distal end of the operative member 100, through which the images are relayed to the display device.

[0101] The distal tip portion of the operative member 100 comprises an image sensor for converting the images into electronic format, which is disposed at the distal end of the operative member 100. The images may be in the form of single images or video. These images are relayed to, and displayed by, the display screen 50. The images may be transmitted in electronic format to the display screen 50 by a wired connection though the operative member 100 and the body and arm portions 20,30 to the display screen 50.

[0102] The distal tip of the operative member 100 is formable, eg by bending. In particular, the distal tip of the operative member 100 is malleable, such that it may be bent relative to the main portion of the operative member 100 as described above.

[0103] The display portion 50, and the display screen therein, are substantially square shaped. The display portion 50 is tilted relative to the vertical axis of the body portion 20 such that the display screen tilts slightly upwards relative to the vertical axis of the body portion 20. This makes viewing of the display screen easier when the endoscope 10 is being used by an operator.

[0104] In use, the operative member 100 is inserted into an endotracheal tube to image the trachea. The endoscope 10 and the endotracheal tube are then introduced into the trachea, such that a distal end of the endotracheal tube is located within the trachea, and a proximal end of the endotracheal tube projects from the patient's mouth. As the operative member 100 transmits images to the display screen 50, a user can see when the endoscope 10 passes through the patient's trachea, and since the endotracheal tube is pre-loaded onto the endoscope 10, will thus know when the endotracheal tube passes through the patient's trachea. The location of the distal tip portion of the operative member 100 is controlled by the user using the actuator 60 and the rotatable head portion 40, such that the endoscope 10 and the endotracheal tube are guided appropriately, and the display screen 50 provides images of the body during insertion to facilitate this guiding of the endotracheal tube. Once the distal end of the endotracheal tube is appropriately positioned within the trachea, the operative member 100 is withdrawn, along with the laryngoscope.

[0105] Alternatively, where the endotracheal tube is not pre-loaded onto the endoscope 10, the endoscope 10 may be positioned just outside of the trachea so as to image the trachea as an endotracheal tube is inserted.