IP Library Granted Patent US 11,672,410
Granted Patent B2
US 11,672,410 · App. 17/768,835 · Granted Jun 13, 2023

Endoscope control devices

Inventors: Kenneth F. Binmoeller (San Francisco, CA); John P. Lunsford (San Carlos, CA); Hoang Phan (Milpitas, CA); Fiona Sander (Los Altos Hills, CA)
Assignee: Endovision Foundation
A61B1/00149A61B1/018
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,672,410
App. No.
17/768,835
Granted
Jun 13, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Described herein are devices for reversibly constraining an endoscope. Such devices may comprise: a base positionable proximate a patient; a column extending vertically from the base; an arm extending horizontally from the column; and a clamp coupled to the arm. In some embodiments, the clamp comprises a holder comprising an annular ring defining an endoscope receiving area or a first sidewall and a second sidewall together defining an endoscope receiving area. The holder is transitionable between a first configuration in which the annular ring or the first and second sidewall are configured to set apart from an endoscope in the endoscope receiving area and a second configuration in which the annular ring or the first and second sidewall are configured to clamp the endoscope in the endoscope receiving area.

Claims (38)

1. A device for reversibly constraining an endoscope, comprising:

a base positionable proximate a patient;

a column extending vertically from the base and pivotally coupled to the base;

an arm extending horizontally from the column, the arm being configured to translate vertically along the column and horizontally relative to the column; and

a clamp coupled to the arm, the clamp being configured to pivot relative to the arm, wherein the clamp comprises:

a holder comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall together define an endoscope receiving area, wherein the holder is transitionable between a first configuration in which the first sidewall and the second sidewall are configured to set apart from an endoscope when positioned in the endoscope receiving area and a second configuration in which the first sidewall and the second sidewall are configured to clamp the endoscope when positioned in the endoscope receiving area, and

a pad opposite the endoscope receiving area, wherein the pad is movable between a first position in which the pad does not contact the endoscope when positioned in the endoscope receiving area and a second position in which the pad contacts the endoscope when positioned in the endoscope receiving area.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein, when the holder is in the second configuration and the pad is in the second position, the endoscope is prevented from translational and rotational movement.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the clamp is further configured to translate horizontally along the arm.

4. A device for reversibly constraining an endoscope, comprising:

a base positionable proximate a patient;

a column extending vertically from the base;

an arm extending horizontally from the column; and

a clamp coupled to the arm, wherein the clamp comprises:

a holder comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall together define an endoscope receiving area, wherein the holder is transitionable between a first configuration in which the first sidewall and the second sidewall are configured to set apart from an endoscope when positioned in the endoscope receiving area and a second configuration in which the first sidewall and the second sidewall are configured to clamp the endoscope when positioned in the endoscope receiving area, and

a pad opposite the endoscope receiving area, wherein the pad is movable between a first position in which the pad does not contact the endoscope when positioned in the endoscope receiving area and a second position in which the pad contacts the endoscope when positioned in the endoscope receiving area.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the arm is configured to translate vertically along the column and horizontally relative to the column.

6. The device of claim 4 , wherein the clamp is configured to pivot relative to the arm.

7. The device of claim 4 , wherein the first and second sidewalls are configured to apply a circumferential force to the endoscope when in the second configuration.

8. The device of claim 4 , wherein the column is pivotally coupled to the base.

9. The device of claim 4 , wherein the clamp is further configured to translate horizontally along the arm.

10. A device for reversibly constraining an endoscope, comprising:

a base positionable proximate a patient;

a column extending vertically from the base;

an arm extending horizontally from the column; and

a clamp coupled to the arm, wherein the clamp comprises:

a holder comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall together define an endoscope receiving area,

wherein the holder is transitionable between a first configuration in which the first sidewall and the second sidewall are configured to set apart from an endoscope when positioned in the endoscope receiving area and a second configuration in which the first sidewall and the second sidewall are configured to clamp the endoscope when positioned in the endoscope receiving area, and

wherein the clamp further comprises a pad opposite the endoscope receiving area, wherein the pad is movable between a first position in which the pad does not contact the endoscope when positioned in the endoscope receiving area and a second position in which the pad contacts the endoscope when positioned in the endoscope receiving area.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the arm is configured to translate vertically along the column and horizontally relative to the column.

12. The device of claim 10 , wherein the clamp is configured to pivot relative to the arm.

13. The device of claim 10 , wherein, when the holder is in the second configuration and the pad is in the second position, the endoscope is prevented from translational and rotational movement.

14. The device of claim 10 , wherein the holder comprises an asymmetric holder such that the second sidewall is longer than the first sidewall.

15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the endoscope is configured to rest on the second sidewall when the asymmetric holder is in the first configuration.

16. The device of claim 10 , wherein the pad is configured to apply a force to the endoscope when in the second position.

17. The device of claim 10 , wherein the column is pivotally coupled to the base.

18. The device of claim 10 , wherein the clamp further comprises a lever configured to move the first and second sidewalls between the first and second configurations.

19. The device of claim 10 , wherein the clamp is further configured to translate horizontally along the arm.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 13, 2022
From: BINMOELLER, KENNETH F.; LUNSFORD, JOHN P.; PHAN, HOANG; SANDER, FIONA
To: ENDOVISION FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 059591/0306 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62914689 · Oct 14, 2019
Related Publication 20220354348A1 · Nov 10, 2022