A FLOW DEVICE FOR CREATING A FLOW OF BUBBLES AND A VISUALISATION DEVICE WITH A DEVICE FOR CREATING A FLOW OF BUBBLES

Abstract

The invention provides a flow device for creating a flow of bubbles of a contrast medium. The device comprises a pump which is configured to provide a flow of the medium and an elongated insertion tube attached to the pump at a proximal end. The elongated insertion tube forms a flow path between the proximal end and an outlet at a distal end.

Claims

1. A flow device for creating a flow of bubbles of a contrast medium, the device comprising a pump configured to provide a flow of the contrast medium and an elongated insertion tube extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end and forming a flow path between the pump in the proximal end and an outlet at the distal end.

2. A flow device according to claim 1, wherein the pump is manually operated.

3. The flow device according to claim 2, wherein the pump comprises a discharge chamber having a resilient compressible wall.

4. The flow device according to claim 3, comprising a first one-way valve directed to allow a flow of the contrast medium from the discharge chamber into the elongated insertion tube and preventing flow in the opposite direction.

5. The flow device according to claim 1 and configured for air as contrast medium, the discharger chamber being arranged for receiving the air from the surroundings via a second one-way valve directed to allow a flow of the air from an ambient space into the discharge chamber and preventing a flow in the opposite direction.

6. The flow device according to claim 3, wherein the compressible wall has an elongated tubular shape arranged coaxially with the elongated insertion tube.

7. The flow device according to claim 3, comprising a flange located between the elongated insertion tube and the compressible wall, the flange having a shape allowing rotationally interlocking with a control knob of a visualization device.

8. The flow device according to claim 7, wherein the flange has a dimension in a radial direction being transverse to the axial direction and exceeding the dimension of the compressible wall in the radial direction.

9. The flow device according to claim 7, wherein the flange is rotationally locked to the compressible wall such that the compressible wall can rotate the flange.

10. The flow device according to claim 3, wherein the elongated insertion tube defines a space for a certain amount of the contrast medium, and the discharge chamber forms space for a larger amount of the contrast medium.

11. The flow device according to claim 3, wherein the discharge chamber is made from an opaque material.

12. The flow device according to claim 3, wherein the compressible wall is compressible both in the axial direction and in a radial direction transverse to the axial direction.

13. A visualization device for visualization of internal tissue, the device comprising a control unit, an elongated member, and an image capturing tip, the control unit being dimensioned to be held by a user's hand, the elongated member having a proximal end connected to the control unit and a distal end defining the image capturing tip, wherein the elongated member defines a working channel extending between an inlet in the control unit and an outlet at the image capturing tip, the device further comprising a tool having an elongated tool rod configured for insertion through the working channel.

14. The visualization device according to claim 13, wherein the tool is a flow device for creating a flow of bubbles of a contrast medium, the device comprises a pump configured to provide a flow of the contrast medium and an elongated insertion tube extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end and forming a flow path between the pump in the proximal end and an outlet at the distal end, and wherein the tool rod is constituted by the elongated tube.

15. The visualization device according to claim 13, wherein the image capturing tip is movable relative to the control unit by rotation of a control knob, and wherein the tool forms an interface configured to engage the control knob to allow rotation of the control knob by rotation of the tool while the elongated tool rod is inserted in the working channel.

16. The visualization device according to claim 15, wherein the interface and the control knob defines geometrically interlocking features.

17. The visualization device according to claim 14, wherein the rotation of the control knob by rotation of the tool can be carried out by rotation of the compressible wall.

18. The visualization device according to claim 13, wherein the tool rod is longer than the elongated member.

19. The method for detecting Fallopian tubal patency by use of a flow device according to claim 1 or a visualization device-for visualization of internal tissue, the visualization device comprising a control unit, an elongated member, and an image capturing tip, the control unit being dimensioned to be held by a user's hand, the elongated member having a proximal end connected to the control unit and a distal end defining the image capturing tip, wherein the elongated member defines a working channel extending between an inlet in the control unit and an outlet at the image capturing tip, the visualization device further comprising a tool having an elongated tool rod configured for insertion through the working channel, the method comprising the steps of: inserting the elongated tube through cervix into the uterus of a patient operating the pump to provide a flow of at least one bubble of the contrast medium at the outlet, and detecting a flow direction of the at least one bubble.

20. The method according to claim 19 comprising a step of inserting the elongated member through cervix into the uterus of the patient, and subsequently inserting the elongated tube via the working channel, and wherein the flow direction is detected by use of the image capturing tip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Embodiments of the invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0060] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a flow device according to the invention where the elongated insertion tube is inserted into uterus;

[0061] FIG. 2 illustrates parts of an embodiment of a flow device according to the invention;

[0062] FIG. 3 illustrates a sideview of a flow device according to the invention;

[0063] FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of a flange and a compressible wall;

[0064] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the flow device in FIGS. 3 and 4;

[0065] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate a function of a set of one-way valves and the compressible wall;

[0066] FIGS. 9-10 illustrate interaction between the flow device and a visualization device;

[0067] FIG. 11 illustrates insertion of an embodiment of a flow device according to the invention into a visualization device according to the invention; and

[0068] FIG. 12 illustrates operation of an embodiment of a flow device according to the invention while inserted into a visualization device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] The detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0070] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate parts of an embodiment of a flow device 1 according to the invention where the elongated insertion tube 2 is inserted into uterus 3. The flow device 1 is configured for creating a flow of bubbles 4 of a contrast medium. The illustrated device is configured for use of atmospheric air as contrast medium. The flow device 1 comprises a pump 5 configured to provide a flow of the air and an elongated insertion tube 2 attached to the pump 5 at a proximal end 6 and forming a flow path between the proximal end and an outlet at a distal end 7.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, the pump 5 is an air pump. FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative pump in the form of a powered pump 8 having a controlled release valve 9 and a flow controller 10 for configured for releasing single bubbles and/or multiple bubbles.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the flow controller 10 is operated via the knob 11 arranged at the proximal end of the pump 8.

[0073] FIG. 4 illustrates the manually operated pump from FIGS. 1 and 2 in an enlarged view. The pump comprises a discharge chamber formed by a resilient compressible wall 41 and a flange 42. The compressible wall 41 is cup shaped and forms a side wall and a bottom forming a curvature extending into the sidewall to provide a torpedo-shaped end of the compressible wall. Both the sidewall and the bottom are made from an elastically deformable material, and the pump can therefore be actuated by an axially and/or a radially directed pressure against the sidewall and/or the bottom.

[0074] The discharge chamber receives air from the surroundings via a first one-way valve and to delivers the air through the elongated insertion tube via a second one-way valve which is illustrated in further details in FIGS. 6-8.

[0075] The compressible wall forms an elongated tubular element arranged coaxially with the elongated insertion tube illustrated by the common axis 43.

[0076] The flange 42 is located between the elongated insertion tube and the compressible wall and has a shape which is non-symmetric or non-circular about an axially extending center axis. The asymmetric shape is shown in FIG. 9 and is defined by an incision 91 matching a projection of a control knob of a visualization device.

[0077] The flange has radial dimension illustrated by the arrow 44 which exceeds the dimension of the compressible wall in the radial direction.

[0078] The flange is rotationally locked to the compressible wall such that the compressible wall can rotate the flange and thereby rotate the control knob of the visualization device.

[0079] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the visualization device, and particularly shows that the pump comprises an end closure 51, the flange 42, the compressible wall 41 and a valve structure including a one-way valve 52 and an O-ring 53 sealing between the valve structure and the elongated insertion tube.

[0080] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate details of the two one-way valves included in the valve structure. FIG. 1 illustrates a step 1 in which the compressible wall is squeezed and air flows through the elongated insertion tube. In FIG. 9, the compressible wall is released and air flows from outside into the discharge chamber 61.

[0081] FIGS. 9-10 illustrate the details of the non-symmetric shape of the flange 42 constituted by an incision 91 engaging a projection on the control knob 101 of the visualization device 102.

[0082] FIG. 11 illustrates the flow device 1 when inserted into the visualization device 102. The visualization device 102 is configured for visualization of internal tissue and comprises a control unit 111, an elongated member 112, and an image capturing tip 113.

[0083] The control unit 111 is dimensioned to be held by a user's hand. The elongated member 112 has a proximal end 114 connected to the control unit 111 and a distal end 115 defining the image capturing tip.

[0084] The elongated member 112 defines a working channel extending between an inlet in the control unit 111 and an outlet at the image capturing tip 113.

[0085] The visualization device 102 further comprises the flow device 1 being inserted through an opening 116 in the control unit 111 and into the working channel formed by the elongated member 112.

[0086] In the illustrated embodiment, the visualization device 102 comprises a display unit for configured to display electronic video signals from the image capturing tip 113.

[0087] To facilitate capturing of images from different angles without having to move the elongated member 112, the image capturing tip 113 is movable relative to the control unit 111 by rotation of a control knob 101. The flow device 1 forms an interface (not shown) which is configured to engage the control knob 101 to allow rotation of the control knob 101 by rotation of the flow device 1 while the elongated insertion tube 2 is inserted in the working channel of the elongated member 112.

[0088] FIG. 12 illustrates operation of the flow device 1 while inserted into a visualization device 102. By the arrows, it is illustrated that rotation of the pump 5 of the flow device 1 will cause the image capturing tip 113 to rotate due to engagement between the flow device 1 and the control knob 101 of the visualization device 102.

LISTED EMBODIMENTS

[0089] 1. A flow device for creating a flow of bubbles of a contrast medium, the device comprising a motorized pump unit configured to provide a flow of the contrast medium and an elongated insertion tube attached to the pump unit at a proximal end and forming a flow path between the proximal end and an outlet at a distal end.

[0090] 2. A flow device according to embodiment 1, wherein the pump unit comprises a pump being electrically powered.

[0091] 3. A flow device according to embodiment 2, wherein the pump unit is powered by a battery, and wherein the battery is elongated and defines an axial direction being transverse to the elongated insertion tube.

[0092] 4. A flow device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the pump unit comprises an air pump.

[0093] 5. A flow device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the pump unit comprises a flow controller configured for releasing single bubbles.

[0094] 6. A flow device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the pump unit comprises a flow controller configured for releasing multiple bubbles.

[0095] 7. A flow device according to embodiment 5 or 6, wherein the flow controller is configured for selectively releasing single bubbles or multiple bubbles.

[0096] 8. A flow device according to any of embodiments 5-7, wherein the flow controller is configured for adjusting a release rate of the bubbles.

[0097] 9. A flow device according to any of embodiments 5-8, wherein the flow controller is configured to separate the flow of the contrast medium from the pump unit into a first flow to the outlet and a second flow to a release located distant from the distal end.

[0098] 10. A flow device according to embodiment 9, wherein the flow controller is configured to adjust a distribution between the first flow and the second flow.

[0099] 11. A flow device according to any of embodiments 5-10, wherein the flow controller is configured to increase or decrease a pumping effect and thus compensate the bubble generation based on a pressure a body cavity.

[0100] 12. A flow device according to embodiment 10 or 11, wherein the flow controller comprises a tube section of an elastically deformable material and forming a second flow path for the second flow and being configured to adjust the distribution by deformation.

[0101] 13. A visualization device for visualization of internal tissue, the device comprising a control unit, an elongated member, and an image capturing tip, the control unit being dimensioned to be held by a user's hand, the elongated member having a proximal end connected to the control unit and a distal end defining the image capturing tip, wherein the elongated member defines a working channel extending between an inlet in the control unit and an outlet at the image capturing tip, the device further comprising a tool having an elongated tool rod configured for insertion through the working channel.

[0102] 14. A visualization device according to embodiment 13, wherein the tool is a flow device for creating a flow of bubbles according to any of embodiments 1-12, and wherein the tool rod is constituted by the elongated tube.

[0103] 15. A visualization device according to embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the image capturing tip is movable relative to the control unit by rotation of a control knob, and wherein the tool forms an interface configured to engage the control knob to allow rotation of the control knob by rotation of the tool while the elongated tool rod inserted in the working channel.

[0104] 16. A visualization device according to embodiment 15, wherein the interface and the control knob defines geometrically interlocking features.

[0105] 17. A method for detecting Fallopian tubal patency by use of a flow device according to any of embodiments 1-12 or a visualization device according to any of embodiments 14-16, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting the elongated tube through cervix into the uterus of a patient
operating the pump unit to provide a flow of at least one bubble of the contrast medium at the outlet, and
detecting a flow direction of the at least one bubble.

[0106] 18. A method according to embodiment 17 comprising a step of inserting the elongated member through cervix into the uterus of the patient, and subsequently inserting the elongated tube via the working channel, and wherein the flow direction is detected by use of the image capturing tip.