WO2010023460A1

WO2010023460A1 - Adaptor for an endoscope

Info

Publication number: WO2010023460A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/002100
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Bennison
Original assignee: Keymed (Medical & Industrial Equipment) Limited
Priority date: 2008-09-01
Filing date: 2009-09-01
Publication date: 2010-03-04
Also published as: GB2463067B; GB0815893D0; GB2463067A

Abstract

An adaptor for connection to an instrument channel of an endoscope is described. The adaptor (10) comprises a hollow body (12) with first and second inlets (14, 18). The first inlet (14) receives an instrument for insertion through the endoscope instrument channel. The second inlet (18) receives fluid to be passed through the endoscope instrument channel for washing the area being observed. The body (12) also includes an outlet (16) for connection to the endoscope. The adaptor (10) includes annular seal means (22) located within the first inlet to sealingly receive an instrument inserted therethrough and also comprises slit valve means (24) located within the first inlet (14) to prevent egress of the fluid out of the body (12) where an instrument is not inserted through the first inlet (14). The annular seal means (22) and the slit valve means (24) are retained in the first inlet (14) by a retaining member (26).

Description

ADAPTOR FOR AN ENDOSCOPE

The present invention relates to an adaptor for use with an endoscope, to allow access into the endoscope instrument channel while maintaining seals to prevent the unwanted ingress or egress of contaminants or fluid.

Endoscopes, especially those used in the medical field for inspection of body cavities, typically include a dedicated channel through which an auxiliary instrument can be passed, e.g. for taking tissue samples for biopsy. The proximal end of the endoscope provides an access port for the instrument channel, which can be closed and sealed when not in use by a flexible plastic cap. Conventional adaptors must also be sterilisable, e.g. in an autoclave.

The flexible plastic caps are not usually suitable for this and are therefore regarded as disposable items and new caps must be fitted for each use of the instrument. Thus, typically the caps are supplied separately and the user must maintain a stock of them so that they are available for use when needed.

In some applications, the instrument channel has a dual purpose. It is used for delivering a fluid to the site being examined to clean or flush the site for better visibility, as well for receiving the auxiliary instrument. In this case, the adaptor is branched to provide two inlets to the instrument channel. Thus, two caps are required for conventional adaptors to maintain the necessary seals. However, there is a desire for such adaptors to be disposable, single use items which therefore need to be very simple and cost-effective to manufacture. The present invention provides an adaptor for connection to an instrument channel of an endoscope, comprising an hollow body with first and second inlets, the first inlet for receiving an instrument for insertion through the endoscope instrument channel and the second inlet for receiving fluid, and an outlet, and further comprising annular seal means located within the first inlet to sealingly receive an instrument inserted therethrough and slit valve means located within the first inlet to prevent the egress of fluid out of the body when an instrument is not inserted through the first inlet, and wherein the annular seal means and the slit valve means are separate from the hollow body and are retained in the first inlet by a retaining member.

The adaptor of the present invention is a self- contained device which allows dual access to an endoscope instrument channel for both fluid and an auxiliary instrument, and seals the channel against the ingress of contaminants or air bubbles, and against the egress of flushing fluid, without the need for separate end caps.

Preferably the annular seal means comprises a tubular body of resilient material with a wall across one end thereof, the wall defining an aperture sized to sealingly receive an instrument .

Preferably the slit valve means comprises a tubular body of resilient material with a wall across one end thereof, the wall having a diametrical slit formed thereacross . In one embodiment, the tubular body of the annular seal means is nested within the tubular body of the slit valve means .

Preferably the aperture is located proximally of the slit in the first inlet.

Preferably the adaptor body is formed from a material which physically alters if subjected to a sterilisation process.

The device may further comprise a coupling member for connecting the adaptor to an endoscope instrument channel.

The device may also comprise second valve means located in the second inlet to permit the injection of fluid into the body and to prevent the egress of fluid out of the second inlet, and wherein the second valve means is retained in the second inlet by a retaining member.

The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of an adaptor in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the adaptor of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3a is an end view of the adaptor of Figure 1, viewed from the distal end; and Figure 3b is a cross-section of the adaptor of Figure 3a along the line BB₁ from the opposite side as compared with Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, an adaptor 10 has a substantially tubular hollow main body 12, with a longitudinal axis XX and proximal and distal ends 14, 16.

A side arm 18 branches out from the main body 12. At the distal end 16, a coupling 20 is provided for attaching the adaptor 10 to the access port of an endoscope instrument channel (not shown) .

As best seen in Figures 2 and 3b, the proximal end 14 of the body 12 is fitted with a seal 22 and a valve 24 described further below, and an end fitting 26 to keep the seal 22 and valve 24 in position. The distal end 16 of the body 12 is fitted with an annular seal 28. The side arm 18 is fitted with a valve 30 and an end fitting 32, such as a female luer fitting, to keep the valve 30 in position.

The exterior surface of the distal end 16 of the body 12 has a thread 34, for mating engagement with thread 36 on the interior surface of the coupling 20. The coupling 20 also has a radial slot 38. In use, the slot 38 locates over the annular rim of the endoscope instrument channel access port. The slot 38 may include shoulders or beads 40 to form a narrow point which provides a positive location over the annular rim. The body 12 can then be screwed into the coupling 20 to secure the adaptor 10 to the endoscope .

An auxiliary instrument can be inserted through the proximal end 14 of the body 12. Typically, this will be a small diameter tube or wire. This passes through the seal 22 which is a body resilient material formed with a small central hole 42, dimensioned to seal against the surface of the instrument. The instrument will then pass through the valve 24. This is also a resilient body with a diametrical slit 44. The valve 24 is shaped so that it will open when point pressure above a given threshold is applied from the upstream or proximal side, for example when the auxiliary instrument presses against it, but to resist opening when pressure is applied from the distal or downstream side. For example, it may be domed as shown with a concave side facing proximally and a convex side facing distally.

The valve 30 in the side arm 18 is a one way valve such as a conventional duckbill valve. This allows fluid to be injected into the side arm 18 and thus into the endoscope. However, the valve 30 is designed to close if back pressure from the distal or downstream direction occurs, to prevent leakage of the fluid out of the side arm 18.

When fluid is supplied into the adaptor 10 via the side arm 18, the pressure immediately downstream of the valve 24 will be reduced. The seal 24 is designed to resist leakage of fluid out of the adaptor should the pressure on the downstream side rise. For example the outer diameter of the seal 24 may be dimensioned to be a particularly tight fit within the body 12 so that the slit 44 is held in compression. Alternatively, the valve 24 may be formed with strengthening ribs.

Typically, the adaptor 10 should be able to withstand a pressure in excess of 60OkPa, and more preferably up to a maximum of 49IkPa without leakage of fluid out of the first or second inlets .

The seal 22 and the valve 24 are shown in this example as separate components. The seal 22 consists of a cylindrical body closed at one end and open at the other. The hole 42 is formed in the closed end. An annular collar surrounds the open end. The valve 24 also consists of a cylindrical body closed at one end and open at the other. The slit 44 is formed in the closed end. The seal 22 and the valve 24 are dimensioned such that the cylindrical body of the seal 22 nests within the cylindrical body of the valve 24 and the collar of the seal 22 seals against the open end of the cylindrical body of the valve 24. The end fitting 26 ensures that the seal 22 and valve 24 are pressed tightly together and properly located in the body 12 so that all the seals will be effective.

By providing the seal 22 and valve 24 as separate components, separate from the body 12, the body has a simpler internal profile and manufacturing of all the components is simplified and less costly. The seal 22 and valve 24 may simply be standard "off the shelf" components to further reduce costs. Whilst the adaptor 10 is preferred for single use, having the seal 22 and valve 24 as components separate from the body 12 allows for the possibility of re-using at least the body, for example the seal 22 and valve 24 could be removed (and also the distal end seal 28 and the side arm valve 30) and disposed of, the body 12 sterilised and fitted with new seals and valves. Alternative structures for the seal and valve can be provided. For example, the seal 22 could be reversed so that the cylindrical body extends away from the valve 24, or both seal 22 and valve 24 could be formed integrally as a single component. Various designs can be envisaged provided that the seal/valve combination performs the function of sealing around an auxiliary instrument when it is inserted, and, when no instrument is in place, preventing leakage of fluid out of the adaptor 10. Ingress of air into the adaptor 10 may be prevented through means of a flexible plastic cap sealed to the external surface of end fitting 26.

The annular seal 28 at the distal end 16 of the adaptor 10 seals the body 12 and the coupling 20 to prevent fluid leakage from the distal end 16 of the adaptor 10.

Preferably, the adaptor 10 is designed as a single use item, which is disposed of after each use to avoid the need to sterilise and the risks of contamination if sterilisation is compromised in any way. Preferably, the adaptor will be manufactured from materials which will not survive sterilisation in an autoclave or which physically alter as a warning that sterilisation has been attempted. For example, the materials may be ones that will melt if exposed to the high temperatures of an autoclave or which will survive but change colour to provide a clear visual indication. Typically, the body 12 may consist of transparent polycarbonate and the seals of silicone.

This, an improved adaptor is provided which in use prevents the leakage of fluid out of the adaptor and prevents the ingress of air into the adaptor, and which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Claims

1. An adaptor for connection to an instrument channel of an endoscope, comprising an hollow body with first and second inlets, the first inlet for receiving an instrument for insertion through the endoscope instrument channel and the second inlet for receiving fluid, and an outlet, and further comprising annular seal means located within the first inlet to sealingly receive an instrument inserted therethrough and slit valve means located within the first inlet to prevent the egress of fluid out of the body when an instrument is not inserted through the first inlet, wherein the annular seal means and the slit valve means are separate from the hollow body and are retained in the first inlet by a retaining member.

2. An adaptor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular seal means comprises a tubular body of resilient material with a wall across one end thereof, the wall defining an aperture sized to sealingly receive an instrument.

3. An adaptor as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the slit valve means comprises a tubular body of resilient material with a wall across one end thereof, the wall having a diametrical slit formed thereacross.

4. An adaptor as claimed claim 3, wherein the tubular body of the annular seal means is nested within the tubular body of the slit valve means.

5. An adaptor as claimed in claim 4, wherein the aperture is located proximally of the slit in the first inlet.

6. An adaptor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body is formed from a material which physically alters if subjected to a sterilisation process.

7. An adaptor as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a coupling member for connecting the adaptor to an endoscope instrument channel.

8. An adaptor as claimed in claim 1, further comprising second valve means located in the second inlet to permit the injection of fluid into the body and to prevent the egress of fluid out of the second inlet, and wherein the second valve means is retained in the second inlet by a retaining member.