Attachment clamp
Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical device.
1. A medical system comprising:
a first scope having: a handle with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end; a shaft having a proximal end attached to the distal end of the handle; and a distal tip at a distal end of the shaft, the distal tip including an imager and lighting, wherein the longitudinal axis defines an axial direction; and
an apparatus for attaching the first scope to a second scope, the apparatus comprising:
a first component attached to the handle of the first scope;
a second component slidable in the axial direction relative to the handle of the first scope and the first component for coupling the second component to the first component, and slidable in a direction opposite to the axial direction relative to the handle of the first scope and the first component for uncoupling the second component from the first component; and
a flexible strap connected to the second component, wherein the flexible strap bends from proximate a first side of the second component to a second side of the second component to hold the second scope to the second component.
2. The medical system of claim 1 , wherein the first component is configured for attachment to the handle via a mechanical fastener.
3. The medical system of claim 2 , wherein the mechanical fastener includes at least one screw.
4. The medical system of claim 1 , wherein the axial direction is a proximal direction.
5. The medical system of claim 1 , wherein the first component is detachable from the first scope.
6. The medical system of claim 1 , wherein the second component includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall configured to receive the second scope, and a back wall configured to face the first component, wherein the front wall of the second component extends beyond the bottom wall.
7. The medical system of claim 6 , wherein the bottom wall is configured to stop the first component from sliding distally.
8. The medical system of claim 6 , wherein a front wall of the first component is planar, wherein the back wall of the second component is configured to face the front wall of the first component.
9. The medical system of claim 6 , wherein a proximal-most portion of the flexible strap is distal to the top wall of the second component.
10. The medical system of claim 1 , wherein the first scope is an endoscope, and the second scope is a duodenal scope.
11. The medical system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible strap has a free end.
12. The medical system of claim 1 , wherein an end of the flexible strap is configured to lock within a portion of the second component.
13. The medical system of claim 1 , wherein the second side of the second component includes a first arm and a second arm, wherein an opening is defined between the first arm and the second arm, and wherein the opening is configured to receive the flexible strap.
14. The medical system of claim 1 , wherein the first component is configured to receive a portion of the second component.
15. A medical system comprising:
a first scope having a handle, a longitudinal axis extending between a proximal end of the handle and a distal end of the handle, a shaft having a proximal end attached to the distal end of the handle, and a distal tip at a distal end of the shaft, the distal tip including an imager and lighting; and
an apparatus for attaching the first scope to a second scope, the apparatus comprising:
a first component of the handle of the first scope;
a second component releasably coupled to the first component, wherein, upon coupling the first component to the second component, at least a portion of each of the handle of the first scope, a surface of the first component that contacts the handle of the first scope, and a surface of the second component that contacts the second scope are at a same longitudinal position relative to the longitudinal axis; and
a flexible strap connected to the second component, wherein the flexible strap bends from proximate a first side of the second component to a second side of the second component to hold the second scope to the second component.
16. The medical system of claim 15 , wherein the first component is configured for attachment to a remainder of the handle via a mechanical fastener.
17. The medical system of claim 16 , wherein the mechanical fastener includes at least one screw.
18. The medical system of claim 15 , wherein the second component is slidable in a proximal direction relative to the handle of the first scope and the first component for coupling the second component to the first component.
19. The medical system of claim 15 , wherein the first component is configured for releasable attachment to a remainder of the handle of the first scope.
20. The medical system of claim 15 , wherein the second component includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall configured to receive the second scope, and a back wall configured to face the first component, wherein the front wall of the second component extends beyond the bottom wall.
21. The medical system of claim 20 , wherein the bottom wall is configured to stop the first component from sliding distally.
22. The medical system of claim 20 , wherein a front wall of the first component is planar, wherein the back wall of the second component is configured to face the front wall of the first component.
23. The medical system of claim 20 , wherein a proximal-most portion of the flexible strap is distal to the top wall of the second component.
24. The medical system of claim 15 , wherein the first scope is an endoscope, and the second scope is a duodenal scope.
25. The medical system of claim 15 , wherein the flexible strap has a free end.
26. The medical system of claim 15 , wherein the second side of the second component includes a first arm and a second arm, wherein an opening is defined between the first arm and the second arm, and wherein the opening is configured to receive the flexible strap.
27. The medical system of claim 15 , wherein the first component is configured to receive a portion of the second component.
28. A medical system comprising:
a first scope having a handle, a longitudinal axis extending between a proximal end of the handle and a distal end of the handle, a shaft having a proximal end attached to the distal end of the handle, and a distal tip at a distal end of the shaft, the distal tip including an imager and lighting; and
an apparatus for attaching the first scope to a second scope, the apparatus comprising:
a first component of the handle of the first scope;
a second component slidable in a proximal direction relative to the handle of the first scope and the first component for coupling the second component to the first component, and slidable in a distal direction relative to the handle of the first scope and the first component for uncoupling the second component from the first component, wherein, upon coupling the first component to the second component, at least a portion of each of the handle of the first scope, a surface of the first component that contacts the handle of the first scope, and a surface of the second component that contacts the second scope are at a same longitudinal position relative to the longitudinal axis; and
a flexible strap connected to the first component, wherein the flexible strap bends from proximate a first side of the second component to a second side of the second component to hold the second scope to the second component.
29. The medical system of claim 28 , wherein the first component is configured to receive a portion of the second component.
30. The medical system of claim 28 , wherein the first scope is an endoscope, and the second scope is a duodenal scope.