ENDOSCOPE DECONTAMINATION SHEATH

Abstract

An endoscope decontamination sheath includes a terminal section for seeing therethrough for an image and a sleeve section connected to the terminal section for receiving an endoscope to insert therein. The terminal section is of a tubular configuration. The terminal section has a front end to which a lens is mounted and a rear end in which an insertion groove is formed. The sleeve section is of an elongated tubular configuration having a front end fit into the insertion groove of the terminal section. In medical treatment of endoscopy or intubation, the endoscope is inserted into and sleeved with the sleeve section, and the endoscope sleeved with the decontamination sheath is inserted into an endotracheal tube. The matched arrangement between the lens and a lens of the endoscope helps prevent image deterioration and thus making images clearer. The decontamination sheath, after use, can be disposed of to prevent cross infection.

Claims

1. An endoscope decontamination sheath, comprising a terminal section adapted to see therethrough for an image; and a sleeve section connected to the terminal section and adapted to receive an endoscope to insert therein, wherein the terminal section has a front end to which a lens is mounted and a rear end that is formed with an insertion groove having a predetermined depth; the sleeve section is an elongated tubular body having a front end fit into and received in the insertion groove of the terminal section; and wherein after medical treatment with intubation, the used decontamination sheath is disposable of to prevent cross infection and also to prevent image deterioration to thereby make an image captured with the endoscope clearer.

2. The endoscope decontamination sheath according to claim 1, wherein the terminal section comprises an outer tubular body and an inner tubular body connected to the outer tubular body, wherein the outer tubular body is of a tubular configuration in the form of a cylindrical cap having a top end that is formed with a through hole; and the inner tubular body is of a tubular configuration in the form of a cylinder having an outer wall contacting and in tight engagement with an inner wall of the outer tubular body.

3. The endoscope decontamination sheath according to claim 2, wherein the inner tubular body is provided with an upper stepped portion formed in an inside surface of an upper portion thereof to receive a lens to fit and position therein.

4. The endoscope decontamination sheath according to claim 2, wherein the inner tubular body is provided with a lower stepped portion formed in an outside surface of a lower portion, such that the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body define the insertion groove therebetween.

5. The endoscope decontamination sheath according to claim 2, wherein the outer tubular body and the inner tubular body are each formed of a stainless steel material.

6. The endoscope decontamination sheath according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve section is formed of a plastic material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state of sleeving an endoscope according to the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of sleeving an endoscope according to the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an endoscope sleeved in a decontamination sheath according to the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 6 is perspective vie showing a condition of fitting a known sleeve over a bougie of an endoscope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1 and 2, a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the present invention are shown. As depicted in the drawings, the present invention comprises a terminal section 3 and a sleeve section 4 connected to the terminal section 3. In this structural arrangement, the terminal section 3 comprises an outer tubular body 31 and an inner tubular body 32 connected to the outer tubular body 31. The outer tubular body 31 is of a tubular configuration in the form of a cylindrical cap having a top end that is formed with a through hole 311. The inner tubular body 32 is of a tubular configuration in the form of a cylinder having an outer wall contacting and in tight engagement with an inner wall of the outer tubular body 31 and provided with an upper stepped portion 321 formed in an inside surface of an upper portion thereof and a lower stepped portion 322 formed in an outside surface of a lower portion, such that the inner tubular body 32 and the outer tubular body 31 define therebetween an insertion groove 33 in the lower portion. In the instant embodiment, the outer tubular body 31 and the inner tubular body 32 are formed of a stainless steel material.

[0017] A lens 34 is made in an inverted T-shape, so that a protruding part of a lower portion of the lens 34 is received into and retained in the stepped portion 321 of the inner tubular body 32 for positioning in such a way that a top portion of the lens 34 extending through and exposed through the through hole 311 formed in the top end of the outer tubular body 31. The lens 34 is preferably of a curved surface that corresponds to a curved surface of a lens of an endoscope.

[0018] The sleeve section 4 is made in the form of an elongated tube having an end inserted into and fit in the insertion groove 33 of the terminal section 3, with an opposite end forming an opening. In the instant embodiment, the sleeve section 4 is formed of a plastic material and has a top end fit into the insertion groove 33 of the terminal section 3 and applied with a bonding agent or adhesive for securely bonding.

[0019] The components as described above are assembled to form an endoscope decontamination sheath A. In medical treatment with endoscopy or intubation, an endoscope is inserted through the sleeve section 4 to be fit into and sleeved with the decontamination sheath A, and then, the endoscope that is sleeved with the decontamination sheath A is inserted into an oral cavity of a patient to allow an optical element at a front end of the endoscope to illuminate for enabling a lens to capture an image of an organ. In the capture of the image, the matched combination of the lens 34 and the lens of the endoscope makes it possible to prevent image deterioration and making the image so captured clearer. Further, after the medical treatment of endoscopy or intubation, the decontamination sheath A so used can be disposed of to avoid and prevent cross infection or cross contamination.

[0020] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 3 and 4, a perspective view showing a state of sleeving the endoscope according to the present invention and a cross-sectional view showing the state of sleeving the endoscope according to the present invention are provided. As shown in the drawings, to use the present invention, the endoscope 1 is inserted through the opening of the sleeve section 4 of the decontamination sheath A in order to have the endoscope 1 sleeved with and enclosed in the decontamination sheath A. After the endoscope 1 so inserted, the endoscope 1 can be inserted into the oral cavity of the patient for operation and the optical element at the front end of the endoscope 1 illuminates to enable the lens to capture an image of an organ. The image is transmitted to a control circuit that is connected to an insertion piece 13 at a rear end of the endoscope 1 to be displayed on a display of a host device for observation. After the medical treatment of endoscopy or intubation is finished, the decontamination sheath A so used can be disposed of for the purposes of preventing cross infection or cross contamination.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view showing the state of sleeving the endoscope according to the present invention is provided. As shown in the drawing, the endoscope 1 is so sleeved with and housed in the decontamination sheath A according to the present invention that the lens 14 of the endoscope 1 is in full surface contact engagement with and flat fitting with the lens 34 of the terminal section 3 of the decontamination sheath A in order to prevent undesired influence on image capture caused by light reflection. Since the curved surface or curvature of the lens 34 is identical to that of the lens 14, deterioration of image can be effectively avoided and further, due to incoming light being increased, a wide angle effect may be obtained for the image to therefore improve quality of medical treatment.

[0022] The embodiment provided above is just for illustration of a preferred way of practicing the present invention and is not intended for limiting the scope of the present invention. Minor modifications and alterations that do not deviate from the essence and gist of the present invention are considered falling within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0023] In summary, the present invention provides a structure of an endoscope decontamination sheath that includes a lens having a curved surface or curvature corresponding to a lens of an endoscope and a terminal section formed with an insertion groove for collaborative combination with a sleeve section fit into and connectable to the terminal section. Such a structure allows an endoscope to be inserted therein and enclosed thereby in medical treatment with endoscopy or intubation and also allows for disposal of after used to prevent cross infection or cross contamination and also to prevent deterioration of image for making an image captured clearer to thereby improve quality of medical treatment.