Endoscopic device insertable into a body cavity and movable in a predetermined direction, and method of moving the endoscopic device in the body cavity

Abstract

In an endoscopic device insertable into a body cavity attachable elements are moved over one another to move forwardly of each other and to leave each other behind, and to move along different paths so as not to be attached to the same areas of a wall of the body cavity.

Claims

1. An endoscopic device insertable into a body cavity, comprising: an element having a hollow body comprising a wall and an opening, the opening being open to the body cavity when the hollow body is inserted to the body cavity; a vacuum pump and a compressor; a tube configured for providing alternating vacuum and pressure to the opening of the hollow body from said vacuum pump and compressor, respectively, wherein the opening is configured to adhere to a wall of a colon under suction generated by said pump; electronic circuitry, configured to automatically alternate the alternating vacuum and pressure provided by the tube from the vacuum pump and compressor; a cleaning mechanism configured for removing solid and liquid matter from the hollow body using said suction, said cleaning mechanism including a pipe introduced at one end into the interior of the element, the other end introduced into a vessel, the pipe configured for supplying washing liquid from a liquid reservoir to the hollow body, the pipe and tube arranged longitudinally along said endoscope each terminating separately at a corresponding aperture in the hollow body wall; a convex element comprising a convex portion extending over, bulging convexly outward from, and dividing the opening; said tube additionally configured to allow removal of solid and liquid matter together with said washing liquid from the hollow body by said suction.

2. An endoscopic device according to claim 1, wherein said liquid is under atmospheric pressure.

3. An endoscopic device according to claim 1, wherein said tube is configured for providing alternating vacuum from said vacuum pump and pressure in a direction toward a wall of the body cavity.

4. An endoscopic device according to claim 1, wherein said opening of the hollow body is attachable to a wall of the body cavity under the action of the vacuum in an interior of said hollow body and detachable from the wall of the body cavity under the action of the pressure provided in the interior of said hollow body.

5. An endoscopic device according to claim 1, wherein said liquid supply pipe is one of separate from said tube, inside said tube, and integral with said tube.

6. An endoscopic device according to claim 1, wherein a first end of said liquid supply pipe is disposed in an interior of said hollow body and a second end of said liquid supply pipe is disposed in the liquid reservoir.

7. An endoscopic device according to claim 1, wherein, in a vacuum phase, said cleaning mechanism is configured to aspirate liquid through said liquid supply pipe, into said hollow body, and into said tube.

8. An endoscopic device according to claim 7, wherein said alternating vacuum and pressure is configured to cause said liquid to dilute solid and liquid matter in said hollow body.

9. An endoscopic device according to claim 7, wherein said alternating vacuum and pressure is configured to cause said solid and liquid matter in said hollow body to flow in a direction away from said hollow body.

10. An endoscopic device according to claim 1, wherein the compressor compresses by operation of a means selected from pneumatic, hydraulic, and hydropneumatic means.

11. The endoscopic device of claim 1, comprising a filter disposed along said tube, in between the hollow body and said vacuum pump, said filter configured to filter out solid and liquid matter present in said tube.

12. An endoscopic device according to claim 11, wherein said filter includes a hermetically sealed container having first and second tube portions connected to said container at an upper end thereof, said first tube portion connected to said hollow body and said second tube portion connected to said vacuum pump.

13. The endoscopic device of claim 1, wherein said pipe is smaller than said tube by a factor of from 8 to 10.

14. An endoscopic device insertable into a body cavity, comprising: an element adapted to be mounted on an endoscope, having a hollow body comprising a wall and an opening to one side of said element, the opening being open to the body cavity when the hollow body is inserted to the body cavity; a vacuum pump and a compressor; a tube configured for providing alternating vacuum and pressure to the opening of the hollow body from said vacuum pump and compressor, respectively, the vacuum pump providing suction sufficient for adherence of the opening to a wall of a colon; electronic circuitry, configured to automatically alternate the alternating vacuum and pressure provided by the tube from the vacuum pump and compressor; a cleaning mechanism configured for removing solid and liquid matter from the hollow body using said suction, said cleaning mechanism including a pipe configured for supplying washing liquid from a liquid reservoir to the hollow body; the pipe and tube arranged longitudinally along said endoscope, each terminating separately at a corresponding aperture in the hollow body wall; a convex element comprising a convex portion extending over, bulging convexly outward from, and dividing the opening; said tube additionally configured to allow removal of solid and liquid matter together with said washing liquid from the hollow body by said suction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1a is a perspective view of an endoscopic device insertable into a body cavity and movable in a predetermined direction as seen from below in accordance with the present invention;

(2) FIG. 1b is a perspective view of an endoscopic device insertable into a body cavity and movable in a predetermined direction in accordance with the present invention as seen from above;

(3) FIGS. 2a and 2b are views showing details of an attaching element of the device in accordance with the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a view showing the inventive device with a partially removed front part and showing further details of the device;

(5) FIGS. 4a and 4b are views showing the endoscopic device in accordance with the present invention insertable into a body cavity and located in an intestine with a smaller diameter and with a larger diameter correspondingly;

(6) FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c are view showing several embodiments of the attaching elements;

(7) FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing corresponding steps of movement of the endoscopic device in accordance with the present invention insertable into a body cavity and movable in a predetermined direction;

(8) FIG. 7 is a view showing a block-diagram of supply of vacuum/pressure to attaching elements of inventive device;

(9) FIGS. 8a and 8b are views showing further embodiments of the attaching elements;

(10) FIGS. 9 and 10 are views showing an endoscopic device in accordance with the present invention with an additional equipment; and

(11) FIG. 11 is a view showing a control equipment for the inventive endoscopic device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) The endoscopic device in accordance with the present invention, which is insertable into a body cavity and movable in a predetermined direction has a housing which is identified with reference numeral 1. The housing is substantially elongated in a direction of a longitudinal axis and does not have any sharp edges to prevent damages to a wall of a body cavity, such as an intestine. The housing 1 in its interior has an omega-shaped slot 2, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 that extends in a longitudinal direction.

(13) The device in accordance with the present invention has a movable attaching element which is identified with reference numeral 3. The movable attaching element 3 is movable relative to the housing 1 and guided by the slot 2. In particular, a projection of the movable attaching element 3 engages in the slot 2 provided in the housing.

(14) A force required for movement of the movable attaching element 3 relative to the housing 1 and relative to a wall of the body cavity, for example intestine, is generated by a power aggregate which can be located in a control block, and is transmitted to the movable attaching element through a transmission. The power aggregate can be formed as any mechanism which performs a reciprocal movement (a pneumatic cylinder-piston unit, an electrical solenoid, etc). the power aggregate can be also located in/on the housing 1.

(15) The transmission is formed as a well known mechanism, for example including a thin cable 5 which is located inside a flexible pipe 4. The pipe 4 is connected to the housing 1 and also to a casing of the power aggregate, while the cable 5 is connected with one end to the movable attaching element and with its opposite end to an element of the power aggregate which performs the reciprocating movement. FIG. 1b shows the omega-shaped slot 2 and the point of connection of the cable 5 to the movable attaching element 3.

(16) The device further has preferably, two immovable attaching elements which are identified with reference numeral 6. The immovable attaching elements 6 are connected with the housing 1 so that they cannot move longitudinally relative to the housing. However, they can turn and somewhat shift in a plane extending perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the housing. As a result, the transverse size of the device adjusts to changes of an inner diameter of the intestine, and their abutment against the walls of the intestine is very efficient, even if the intestine can have different diameters. FIG. 4a shows the position of the immovable attaching elements 6 in an intestine 400 having a diameter 20 mm, while FIG. 4b shows a position of the immovable attaching elements 6 in an intestine 450 having a diameter of 60 mm.

(17) FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3 show the connection of the immovable attaching elements 6. First, they are connected to an intermediate plate 7 by cylindrical pins 8 which are inserted into openings of lugs 9 of the intermediate plate. The dimensions of the pins and the openings are selected to allow free turning of the movable attaching elements over a certain angle. The plate 7 is mounted on the housing 1 so that its side projections 10 are inserted into grooves 11 as shown in FIG. 3. On this figure a front part is removed to show the grooves 11, in which the intermediate plate 7 can move in a direction shown by the arrows. The combination of these two degrees of freedom, namely turning and displacement, allows the immovable attaching elements 6, which are immovable in the longitudinal direction relative to the housing, to slide along the wall or intestine and change their position depending on its diameter. The transverse deformation of intestine and the resulting problems are therefore minimal.

(18) Each of the attaching elements 3 and 6 is formed as a hollow body with an opening provided in its one wall and extending substantially over a whole surface facing the wall of the intestine. The hollowly body can be cup-shaped with a convex wall that contains the opening. The opening is provided with an element which prevents sucking of the intestine wall into the interior of the attaching element and at the same time increases adherence with the intestine wall. As shown in Figure 1b and 5a this element can be formed as a convex grate 12 which is oriented perpendicular to the direction of movement of the housing and is adapted to be in contact with the intestine wall. It also can be formed as a perforated plate 25 with openings shown in FIGS. 5b, or as a ribbed assembly 26 shown in FIGS. 5c.

(19) The attaching elements 3 and 6 are connected with the control block by elastic houses 13, through which alternatingly vacuum and pressure are supplied to the attaching elements.

(20) The inventive device operates in the following manner, as schematically shown in FIG. 6, which shows displacement of the device over one cycle.

(21) In step 1 the movable attaching element 3 is located in a rear position as seen in the direction of movement of the device and is supplied with pressure so that it is not attached to the intestine wall, while the immovable attaching elements 6 are provided with vacuum and attached to the intestine wall.

(22) In step 2 the cable 5 of the movable attaching element 3 moves forward and therefore the movable attaching element 3 is moved to its forward position.

(23) In step 3 vacuum is supplied to the movable attaching element 3 and it is attached to the intestine wall, or in other words it is fixed in this position.

(24) In step 4 pressure is supplied to the immovable attaching elements 6 and they are detached from the intestine wall.

(25) In step 5 the cable 5 of the movable attaching element 3 is displaced rearwardly so that the housing 1 is moved forwardly by one step.

(26) In step 6 vacuum is supplied into the immovable attaching elements 6, and they are attached to the intestine wall so as to fix a new position of the device relative to the intestine wall. This represents the end of the cycle.

(27) In step 7 a pressure is supplied into the movable attaching element 3, and the cycle is repeated again.

(28) It is believed to be clear that in accordance with the present invention, first for example the immovable attaching elements 6 are attached to the wall of the intestine, then the movable attaching element 3 is moved forwardly of the immovable attaching element 6 leaving them behind and is attached to the wall, then the immovable attaching elements 6 are moved forwardly of the movable attaching element 3 leaving it behind, etc. This is achieved by the corresponding generating of vacuum and pressure by the corresponding source means. It is believed to be also understood that the movable attaching element 3 which is located substantially coaxially with an axis of the housing 1 of the device, and the immovable attaching elements which are located at both sides of the axis of the housing 1 and laterally spaced from the axis, are attachable to different locations or areas of the wall of the intestine as considered in a direction transversely to the axis, which is very important to avoid traumatizing of the wall of the intestine.

(29) It is possible that the immovable attaching elements are also movable relative to the housing.

(30) The attaching elements can be also displaced automatically continuously, or discontinuously in a stepped manner.

(31) The device therefore moves step by step along the intestine. By changing the order of the steps, the device can move in an opposite direction.

(32) As mentioned herein above, the movement of the device along the intestine is accompanied by a cyclic attachment of the vacuum-type attaching elements to its walls. The walls of intestine are covered with a great quantity of mucus. Under the action of vacuum, in each cycle of attachment a part of mucus is introduced into the attaching elements and then into thin pipes, along which vacuum/pressure is supplied. The mucus can clog the attaching elements and the pipes.

(33) In order to avoid this, the device in accordance with the present invention is provided with a self-cleaning hydro-pneumatic system of supply of vacuum/pressure into the attaching elements, which is shown in FIG. 7. This figure does not illustrate additional parts such as monitors, receivers; safety valves, etc., and shows only those elements which are important for the operation of the device.

(34) As explained herein above, the device is moved by means of the attaching elements, in which, in a certain sequence shown in FIG. 5, the vacuum and pressure are supplied. The vacuum and pressure are provided correspondingly by a compressor and a vacuum pump located in a control box and supplied into the attaching elements along elastic pipes or a main elastic tube. FIG. 1b shows the pipes identified with reference numeral 13. The pipes extended through valves formed by solenoids 21-24. The location of the pipes relative to the solenoid is selected so that when the solenoid is not supplied with power, its core does not touch the pipe. The solenoid 23 and the solenoid 24 are shown, in this particular condition, and as a result vacuum is supplied to the attaching elements. When power is not supplied to the solenoid, its core is moved out of the housing of the solenoid and squeezes the pipe as shown in the example of the solenoid 21 and 22. It blocks supply of vacuum into the attaching elements.

(35) The control box is provided with an electronic board which is not shown in the drawings and which provides the operation of the solenoids in automatic mode, as well as in manual mode by means of buttons located on the panel of the block.

(36) The prevention of clogging of the attaching elements and elastic pipes with mucus sucked from the walls of the intestine is carried out by introduction into the attachment elements of a washing liquid, in the simplest case-water. Since the movement of the device is accompanied by cyclic alternating operation of vacuum/pressure in the pipes, the liquid located in them performs a reciprocating movement and dissolves mucus which is sucked from the walls of the intestine. By selecting of a corresponding ratio of the vacuum/pressure, in addition to the reciprocating movement it is possible to provide its predominant displacement in a direction from the attaching elements to a vacuum pump. The system also includes a filter which prevents introduction of this liquid into the areas in which the corresponding operation can be disturbed. FIG. 7 shows a system operating in accordance with this principle. Parallel to each of the pipesthe main elastic tube, connected to the attaching elements, an additional elastic tube is introduced. This tube is identified with reference numeral 14 in FIG. 1a. The additional elastic tube can be located both inside the main elastic tube, and also outside the main elastic tube as shown in FIG. 7. The inner diameter of this tube must be 8-10 times smaller than the main elastic tube. One end of each additional tube is introduced into the interior of the attaching element, while the other end is introduced into a vessel located in the control box and filled with water or a special liquid for washing. The water is under atmospheric pressure.

(37) When the system starts operating, then inside the main elastic tube along all its length from the attaching elements to the vacuum pipe, a zone of reduced pressure is generated. As a result, the liquid from the vessel in the control box is aspirated through the additional elastic tube to the place where this tube ends, or in other words into the attaching element and further into the main elastic tube. This is exactly the place where mucus is accumulated.

(38) The influence of supply of this liquid on the operation of the attaching elements connected with the displacement of the device along the intestine is insignificantly low because the additional elastic tube has a very small diameter. Since during the operation of the system, the vacuum and pressure in the attaching element change in a cyclic manner, the liquid performs small reciprocating movements which dilutes mucus. As explained above, with a certain ratio of vacuum/pressure, the mucous will flow in a direction from the attaching elements to the vacuum pump. A water filter is used to prevent entry of the liquid and mucus into the vacuum pump, and this water filter removes liquid and mucous from the system.

(39) The water filter is formed as a vertically located hermetically closed container with two pipes in its upper part. One pipe is connected with the attaching elements from which air and diluted mucus are sucked, while the other pipe is connected with the vacuum pump. Under the action of the vacuum pump, air is sucked from one pipe to the other, while liquid and mucus are moved downwardly under the action of force of gravity. The direction of movement of air and liquid are shown by arrows.

(40) The additional elastic tube can be also located inside the main elastic tube as shown in FIG. 8a, or it can be an integral part of the main tube as shown in FIG. 8b.

(41) As explained herein above, the device carries standard video equipment and operation instruments which are used in gastroenterology. These elements must be connected with the device. FIG. 9 shows the device with the head 16 of a videocamera, which is formed as a separate structural element. It is fixed to the housing 1 of the device by two elastic rings 15, which hold the cable 27 that connects the head with the videocamera located in the control block.

(42) The head of the videocamera can be formed integrally with the device as shown in FIG. 10. The head 28 of the of the videocamera is located in the front part 29 of the housing of the device and make one-piece with it. In this embodiment the cable which connects the head with the videocamera has a permanent connection 30 with the housing of the device. The system for visual diagnostics of intestine with the use of the device is shown in FIG. 11. The system includes a plug 31 for connection to the device.

(43) A control block 32, a long elastic hose 33 and a personal computer 34. The control block contains a pneumatic equipment which allows the displacement of the device inside the intestine. The videocamera is located in the same area, and its output is connected to the personal computer. The device is connected with the control block by a hose with the length of substantially 2 m which allows it to completely investigate the whole intestine. The hose incorporates all communicates between the device and the control block: the pipes, the transmission, the cable for the head of the videocamera, etc.

(44) The device can be composed of materials allowing it to be disposable. It can be formed as a modular device assembled of individual elements, or as a one-piece integral device. Also, several devices can be connected with one another in succession.

(45) It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the type described above.

(46) While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an endoscopic device insertable into a body cavity movable in a predetermined direction, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

(47) Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, be applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.