Articulating endoscope with working channel
The present technology relates to articulating endoscopes and methods for manufacturing articulating endoscopes. An example endoscope includes an outer jacket extending a length of the endoscope; an outer wall, interior to the outer jacket, of an extrusion extending at least 80% of the length of the endoscope and ending at a bendable region of the endoscope; an inner wall, interior to the outer wall, extending at least 90% of a length of the endoscope and through the bendable region, the inner wall defining a working channel through the endoscope; a plurality of fins extending from the inner wall to the outer wall and defining a plurality of auxiliary channels between the inner wall and the outer wall; a first pull wire extending through a first auxiliary channel of the plurality of auxiliary channels; and a second pull wire extending through a second auxiliary channel of the plurality of auxiliary channels.
1 . A method for manufacturing an endoscope, the method comprising:
extruding a cross-section to form an extrusion, the extrusion comprising:
an inner wall defining a first lumen;
an outer wall defining a second lumen between the inner wall and the outer wall; and
a plurality of fins extending from the inner wall to the outer wall and defining a plurality of auxiliary channels in the second lumen;
removing the outer wall from a portion of a distal end of the extrusion to form a bendable region;
cutting slots in the outer wall above at least two of the auxiliary channels;
inserting a pull wire through one of the slots and into one of the auxiliary channels; and
installing an outer jacket covering the extrusion including the bendable region.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising cutting the extrusion to a length of the endoscope.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising installing a spring over the auxiliary channels of the bendable region.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting electrical conductors through the slots and into the auxiliary channels.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
routing a distal end of the pull wire around posts protruding from a mounting ring; and
thermally reflowing the posts to secure the pull wire to the mounting ring.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality fins include at least 4 fins.
7 . An endoscope comprising:
an outer jacket extending a length of the endoscope;
an outer wall, interior to the outer jacket, of an extrusion extending at least 80% of the length of the endoscope and ending at a bendable region of the endoscope;
an inner wall, interior to the outer wall, extending at least 90% of a length of the endoscope and through the bendable region, the inner wall defining a working channel through the endoscope;
a plurality of fins extending from the inner wall to the outer wall and defining a plurality of auxiliary channels between the inner wall and the outer wall;
a first pull wire extending through a first auxiliary channel of the plurality of auxiliary channels; and
a second pull wire extending through a second auxiliary channel of the plurality of auxiliary channels.
8 . The endoscope of claim 7 , wherein the first auxiliary channel is positioned opposite the working channel from the second auxiliary channel.
9 . The endoscope of claim 8 , further comprising:
a third pull wire extending through a third auxiliary channel of the plurality of auxiliary channels; and
a fourth pull wire extending through a fourth auxiliary channel of the plurality of auxiliary channels, wherein the fourth auxiliary channel is positioned opposite the working channel from the third auxiliary channel.
10 . The endoscope of claim 7 , wherein an access window is cut in the outer wall, above the first auxiliary channel, adjacent and proximal to the bendable region.
11 . The endoscope of claim 7 , wherein the first pull wire is positioned within a first separate lumen and the second pull wire is positioned with a second separate lumen.
12 . The endoscope of claim 7 , further comprising:
a camera positioned at a distal end of the endoscope; and
an electrical conductor electrically coupled to the camera and extending through a third auxiliary channel of the plurality of auxiliary channels.
13 . The endoscope of claim 7 , further comprising a spring wrapped around the bendable region and positioned interior to the outer jacket.
14 . The endoscope of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of fins include at least 6 fins.
15 . The endoscope of claim 7 , further comprising a guide tube, at a distal end of the endoscope, supporting one or more sensors.