Motorized endoscopic instrument drive module
View Patent ↗A module for feeding and withdrawing an endoscopy operating instrument into/from an endoscope to prevent injury to tissue. The module includes an interface for removably attaching to an endoscope. The module includes a motor that drives a pair of wheels to advance the instrument into the endoscope. The wheels may be constrained on their sides to prevent binding when gripping the instrument. The motor may be turned on by a user operated button or a sensor that detects the instrument. A timer circuit activates the motor for a period of time to cause the instrument to advance to at or near the end of the endoscope. Once the instrument stops, the operator can advance the instrument manually.
1 . A cordless endoscope instrument shuttle module for advancing an instrument into an endoscope, the shuttle module comprising:
a housing containing:
a pair of drive wheels configured to grip and propel an instrument between the wheels;
at least one motor configured rotate the wheels in a direction to propel the instrument distally into the endoscope and in an opposite direction to extract the instrument from the endoscope;
a timer circuit configured to, upon an input signal, cause the wheels to rotate for a time period suitable to move the instrument to near the distal end of the endoscope;
at least one battery to power the timer circuit and the at least one motor; and
wherein each wheel is constrained by an interference fit with the housing to restrict axial deformation.
2 . The shuttle module of claim 1 further comprising an output funnel distal to the wheels to guide the instrument towards the exit of the module.
3 . The shuttle module of claim 2 wherein the output funnel tapers in the distal direction.
4 . The shuttle module of claim 1 further comprising an input funnel proximal to the wheels to guide the instrument towards the wheels.
5 . The shuttle module of claim 1 wherein the timer is a 555 timer.
6 . The shuttle module of claim 1 wherein the wheels are made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
7 . The shuttle module of claim 6 wherein the EVA has a density within a range of about 75-100 kg/m 3 .
8 . The shuttle module of claim 1 wherein the wheels are made of one of a group consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer, a rubber, and an elastomer.
9 . The shuttle module of claim 1 wherein the wheels are made of a foam material.