US20060025655A1 - Autoclavable endoscope - Google Patents
Autoclavable endoscope Download PDFInfo
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- US20060025655A1 US20060025655A1 US10/901,252 US90125204A US2006025655A1 US 20060025655 A1 US20060025655 A1 US 20060025655A1 US 90125204 A US90125204 A US 90125204A US 2006025655 A1 US2006025655 A1 US 2006025655A1
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/00064—Constructional details of the endoscope body
- A61B1/0011—Manufacturing of endoscope parts
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/00163—Optical arrangements
- A61B1/00165—Optical arrangements with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics
- A61B1/0017—Details of single optical fibres, e.g. material or cladding
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/04—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
- A61B1/042—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B23/00—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
- G02B23/24—Instruments or systems for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes
- G02B23/2476—Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports
- G02B23/2492—Arrangements for use in a hostile environment, e.g. a very hot, cold or radioactive environment
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
- A61B90/08—Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for
- A61B2090/0813—Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
Definitions
- This invention relates in general to a design that makes possible the autoclaving of a fiberoptic endoscope used for medical purposes.
- One application of this invention is to an endoscope used in certain ophthalmologic operations.
- the disclosure herein relates to that embodiment.
- an endoscope which may contain an optical fiber illumination guide, an optical fiber laser guide and an optical fiber image guide to perform surgical operations in various parts of the eye.
- An endoscope such as the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,740 cannot be autoclaved and reused. Essentially, when autoclaved, the known endoscopes tend to lose their critical optical characteristics and do not provide the clear and focused image that is required for a surgical operation.
- this autoclavable endoscope be provided at a cost which makes it cost effective to use compared to the presently available non-autoclavable endoscopes.
- a known type of a three optical guide endoscope in which there is a laser fiber guide, an illuminating fiber guide and an image fiber guide.
- These three light guides are attached at proximal ends, to respectively a laser connector, a xenon light source connector and a camera connector.
- the three optical guides attached to these connectors are brought together into a single flexible jacket. At the distal end of the jacket, they are brought through a hand piece to a probe, which probe is a stainless steel cylinder. This cylinder is effectively a hypodermic needle having an outer diameter of, for example, 960 microns (0.96 mm).
- the epoxies used at the distal end to seal all three optical systems to the stainless steel probe and to seal the protective window and lens of the system within the distal end of the image guide are high temperature resistant, medical grade epoxies.
- the specific epoxy used on the lens which is focused is one that can be cured in a relatively short period of time (15 to 30 minutes) so that the focus established can be permanently set. Since the lens to be focused is proximal of the window and companion lens, that epoxy need not be medical grade.
- a third feature is in the use of a preshrunk thermoplastic elastomer jacket material to enclose the three optical systems throughout the flexible zone proximal of the hand piece.
- the preshrinking of this material minimizes its dimensional change during autoclaving.
- preshrunk herein refers to preshrinking at high temperature.
- a fourth feature relates to an appropriate construction of the connector at the proximal end of the light fiber.
- the light fiber portion of the light guide is sealed to a copper ferule with a high temperature epoxy that retains its structure under high temperature to minimize injury of the fragile light fiber system, which injury occurs if the epoxy melts or runs.
- the material of the ferule is copper so as to dissipate the heat from the xenon light source. This will further serve to minimize injury to the fragile light fiber system.
- the copper ferule is within an aluminum connector.
- the camera connector which in the prior art is a plastic material, is replaced by anodized aluminum. This avoids swelling during autoclaving. It is a necessary change to make sure that after autoclaving the connector will couple into the socket of a camera.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the endoscope extending from distal probe 10 to proximal connectors 12 C, 14 C, 16 C.
- FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the image cannula 30 at the distal end of the endoscope.
- FIG. 2 is at a much greater scale than that of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the probe 24 at the juncture between the quartz window 32 and the lens 28 .
- FIG. 3 illustrates the reticule 34 that creates the aperture step 36 .
- FIGS. illustrate a single embodiment.
- This endoscope 10 has three main optical guides. They are a laser fiber guide 12 , a set of fibers to provide a light guide 14 and an image guide 16 having approximately 10,000 light elements to provide 10,000 pixels. These three optical guides 12 , 14 and 16 are held in a plastic jacket 18 . This jacket 18 extends from a trifurcation zone 20 to the hand piece 22 near the distal end of the endoscope 10 .
- the stainless steel cylindrical probe 24 Distal of the hand piece 22 is the stainless steel cylindrical probe 24 .
- the three light guides 12 , 14 , 16 extend through the probe 24 and are flush with the distal end of the probe 24 .
- the three optical guides are in three separate jackets extending to appropriate connectors 12 C, 14 C, 16 C of the optical systems to a laser, a light source and a camera, respectively.
- connector 12 C at the distal end of the laser fiber guide 12 permits coupling to a laser.
- a connector 14 C at the proximal end of the light fiber guide 14 permits connecting to a xenon light source and a connector 16 C at the distal end of the image guide 16 permits connection to a camera.
- the fibers of the laser fiber guide 12 and light fiber guide 14 extend flush to the distal end of the probe. However, the fibers of the image guide 16 extends to the point where they contact the compound lens that consists of a first lens element 26 and a second lens element 28 (see FIG. 2 ).
- One of the features that makes an endoscope not autoclavable is that steam enters around and between the two lenses 26 , 28 thereby changing the optical properties and degrading the image involved. Therefore, it becomes important that particular attention be made to the design at the distal end of the image guide 16 .
- a thin wall stainless steel cannula 30 surrounds and supports the distal end of fibers of the image guide 16 .
- a transparent protective quartz window 32 At the distal end of this cannula 30 , is a transparent protective quartz window 32 .
- the window 32 is immediately distal of the two lenses 26 and 28 .
- the lens 26 is epoxy bonded to the distal end of the fibers of the image guide 16 .
- the spacing between the lenses 26 and 28 , as well as the spacing between the lens 28 and the window 32 are only enough to prevent chromatic aberration.
- the lens 28 and the window 32 are sealed along their peripheries to the cannula 30 by a high temperature resistant epoxy.
- FIG. 3 illustrates the reticule 34 that creates the aperture stop 36 for the image that is to be collimated by the lens system 26 , 28 .
- FIG. 3 shows the light fiber bundle in a geometric state which is distal of the hand piece 22 .
- the light fiber bundle Proximal of the hand piece, the light fiber bundle is a more coherent bundle with a circular cross-section having its own separate geometry and is within its own jacket. But in order to achieve as small a probe as possible, it is more efficient for the light bundle to be distributed in the fashion shown in FIG. 3 .
- the autoclavable endoscope 10 of this invention is made possible by a selection and treatment of materials which in combination permit autoclaving without deterioration of operating characteristics. It should be understood that the endoscope of this invention is not indefinitely autoclavable. That is, after it has been autoclaved a number of times (for example, a dozen times), its operating characteristic may degrade and can no longer be used.
- the key characteristics that normally degrade initially are the focus or clarity of the image provided by the image guide 16 and/or the loss of light due to the breakdown of epoxy at the connector 14 C for the light guide.
- Applicant believes that the invention involved herein is primarily in the selection of materials (and importantly, the particular epoxies) that are subjected to an autoclaving temperature of 265 degrees F., a temperature which is close to the temperature limit at which these epoxy materials retain their sealing and transparency characteristics.
- this invention is a trade-off between: (a) maintaining reasonable cost, (b) providing an autoclavable endoscope, and (c) providing an endoscope that operates substantially in the same fashion as do comparable endscopes known to the profession.
- a significant epoxy is the one employed at the distal end of the probe 24 to seal in the three light guides 12 , 14 and 16 and also to seal the distal lens element 28 and quartz window 32 to the cannula 30 .
- It is a high temperature resistant, overnight setting, medical grade epoxy. This high temperature resistance requires both that it not melt during the autoclaving process and that it retain a substantial transparent characteristic before and after autoclaving.
- An epoxy has been identified which maintains its color and geometry when subjected to the autoclaving process. This epoxy, when subject to autoclaving, is effectively pushed to its limit. Applicant believes this is a reason why this autoclavable endoscope can only be autoclaved a limited number of times; for example, twelve to fifteen times, before losing its image definition and clarity.
- a second epoxy seals the proximal lens element 26 to the cannula 30 . It is a high temperature epoxy which has a faster setting time than does the epoxy used for sealing the three light guides to the probe 24 . It sets in 15 to 20 minutes at 166 degrees F. It also maintains its geometry and optical transparency during autoclaving. It need not be medical grade.
- Both of the above epoxies are selected for the optical characteristic that they are not black and are transparent or amber and maintain this optical characteristic after autoclaving.
- the transparency of the epoxy is important to assure non-interference with the transmission of light.
- the epoxy at the trifurcation 20 and proximal end of the three systems is generally preferably a more flexible epoxy such as a urethane.
- the urethane can be black in color and need not be medical grade. However, such epoxy must withstand the autoclaving temperature and time.
- thermoplastic elastomer jacket 18 is pre-shrunk at autoclaving temperature to prevent it from being damaged during autoclaving.
- the epoxy used to bond the image guide fibers and ferule to the aluminum connector 16 C is not as critical as some of the other epoxies and may be a standard epoxy.
- the ferule within the connector 14 C for the light guide be of copper so as to dissipate the heat from the xenon light source.
- the connector 14 C shell is aluminum.
- a high temperature epoxy such as that used to bond the lens 26 to the cannula 30 is used to bond the light fibers to the ferule.
- the copper ferule and epoxy used at the ferule minimize damage to the delicate fibers used for this illumination guide.
- the probe 24 is a 33 mm long stainless steel cylinder with an OD of 960 microns and an ID of 880 microns.
- the stainless steel cannula 30 is a 24 gauge cylinder having a 570 micron (0.57 mm) outside diameter, a 520 micron inside diameter and a length of 331 microns.
- Within the cannula 30 there is the two element 26 , 28 compound lens and the transparent quartz window 32 .
- the quartz window 32 is 250 microns long, the lens element 26 is about 590 microns and the lens element 28 is approximately 370 microns.
- the three elements 26 , 28 and 32 are longitudinally spaced from one another only enough to avoid chromatic aberration.
- the spacing is in the range of a fraction of a micron.
- the fiber optic bundle for the image system 16 extends through into cannula 30 and is bonded to the proximal surface of the lens element 26 .
- the surface of the quartz window 32 is essentially flush with the end of the cannula 30 and the end of the probe 24 .
- the lens elements 26 and 28 as well as the window 32 are held in place by a full circular epoxy band.
- This epoxy band extends over about the proximal 150 microns portion of the window 32 and also over about 250 microns of the distal portion of the lens element 28 .
- This full circular epoxy band which binds the elements 28 and 32 to the inner surface of the cannula 30 wall serves to prevent steam under the pressures and temperatures of autoclaving from getting into the spaces between the lens and window elements 26 , 28 and 32 .
- a first epoxy that is used to bond the guides 12 , 14 and 16 to the probe 24 is a Master Bond 42HT MED available from Master Bond, Inc. of 154 Hobart Street, Ralphensack, N.J. 07601. This epoxy sets over night in approximately twelve hours at room temperature. This epoxy is also used to bond the lens 28 and window 32 to the cannula 30 .
- the lens 26 is used to establish the focus.
- the epoxy that bonds the lens 26 to the cannula 30 has to be one that sets more quickly than does the 42HT MED.
- the epoxy used is an EPOTEK 353ND-T epoxy available from Epoxy Technology. Inc. at 14 Fortune Drive, Billerica, Mass. 01821. Under a heat lamp at 1660° F., it cures in between 15 to 20 minutes. This provides a useful setting time within which to establish the focus and obtain a permanent set.
- Both of the above epoxies have properties which allow them to withstand 265° F. for 15 minutes for a limited number of times without significantly changing their structural and light transparency properties.
- a Master Bond 43HT Medical epoxy can be used to bond the laser guide 12 fiber to the laser connector 12 C as well as to bond the light guide 14 fiber to a ferule that is in the connector 14 C. In the latter case, for convenience in terms of available oven, applicant has also used the EPOTEK 353 ND-T.
- the high temperature created by the laser at the laser connector 12 C and by the xenon light source at the light guide connector 14 C requires the use of epoxies that withstand not only the autoclaving temperature but the temperature from the light sources when the endoscope is in use.
- a HYSOL 608 standard epoxy has been used at the image guide to bond the image fiber to a ferule which in turn is bonded to the connector 16 C.
- This epoxy primarily has to be able to withstand the autoclaving temperature without substantial physical distortion. It is available from Loctite Corp. in Rocky Hill, Conn. 06067.
- a double bubble urethane epoxy D85 has been used. It is available from Elements Specialties, Inc. of Belleville, N.J. 07109. It has the advantages of bonding well to plastic and not melting at the autoclaving temperatures.
- the invention has been described in connection with an endoscope having three different fiberoptic systems. Yet, it could be employed with an endoscope having the illumination guide and image guide without the laser guide.
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates in general to a design that makes possible the autoclaving of a fiberoptic endoscope used for medical purposes.
- One application of this invention is to an endoscope used in certain ophthalmologic operations. The disclosure herein relates to that embodiment.
- As shown, for example, in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,740 issued Jun. 16, 1992, it is known to provide an endoscope which may contain an optical fiber illumination guide, an optical fiber laser guide and an optical fiber image guide to perform surgical operations in various parts of the eye.
- It is important that such an endoscope, as well as other types of endoscopes used for other surgical operations, be sterilized between each use or, if that cannot be satisfactorily done, disposed of after first use.
- In some venues, it is acceptable to employ a high level disinfectant after the use of the endoscope so that it can be reused. In other venues, only the autoclaving under known high temperature steam conditions is acceptable.
- An endoscope such as the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,740 cannot be autoclaved and reused. Essentially, when autoclaved, the known endoscopes tend to lose their critical optical characteristics and do not provide the clear and focused image that is required for a surgical operation.
- Accordingly, it is a primary purpose of this invention to provide an endoscope design which can be autoclaved so that the endoscope can be reused.
- It is a further object of this invention that this autoclavable endoscope be provided at a cost which makes it cost effective to use compared to the presently available non-autoclavable endoscopes.
- It is a related purpose of this invention to provide an autoclavable endoscope with a configuration and utility that sufficiently resembles that of the prior art non-autoclavable endoscopes so that its use will be familiar and comfortable for the surgeon or physician.
- In brief, in the embodiment of this invention disclosed herein, a known type of a three optical guide endoscope is provided in which there is a laser fiber guide, an illuminating fiber guide and an image fiber guide.
- These three light guides are attached at proximal ends, to respectively a laser connector, a xenon light source connector and a camera connector.
- The three optical guides attached to these connectors are brought together into a single flexible jacket. At the distal end of the jacket, they are brought through a hand piece to a probe, which probe is a stainless steel cylinder. This cylinder is effectively a hypodermic needle having an outer diameter of, for example, 960 microns (0.96 mm).
- Autoclaving is at 265 degrees F. for 15 minutes. The features that make this design autoclavable are as follows:
- The epoxies used at the distal end to seal all three optical systems to the stainless steel probe and to seal the protective window and lens of the system within the distal end of the image guide are high temperature resistant, medical grade epoxies.
- It is particularly important that the specific epoxy used on the lens which is focused is one that can be cured in a relatively short period of time (15 to 30 minutes) so that the focus established can be permanently set. Since the lens to be focused is proximal of the window and companion lens, that epoxy need not be medical grade.
- A third feature is in the use of a preshrunk thermoplastic elastomer jacket material to enclose the three optical systems throughout the flexible zone proximal of the hand piece. The preshrinking of this material minimizes its dimensional change during autoclaving. The term preshrunk herein refers to preshrinking at high temperature.
- A fourth feature relates to an appropriate construction of the connector at the proximal end of the light fiber. The light fiber portion of the light guide is sealed to a copper ferule with a high temperature epoxy that retains its structure under high temperature to minimize injury of the fragile light fiber system, which injury occurs if the epoxy melts or runs. The material of the ferule is copper so as to dissipate the heat from the xenon light source. This will further serve to minimize injury to the fragile light fiber system. The copper ferule is within an aluminum connector.
- The camera connector, which in the prior art is a plastic material, is replaced by anodized aluminum. This avoids swelling during autoclaving. It is a necessary change to make sure that after autoclaving the connector will couple into the socket of a camera.
- In addition, all epoxies used are high temperature resistant to withstand the 15 minutes at 265° F. autoclaving regimen.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the endoscope extending fromdistal probe 10 to proximal connectors 12C, 14C, 16C. -
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through theimage cannula 30 at the distal end of the endoscope.FIG. 2 is at a much greater scale than that ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through theprobe 24 at the juncture between thequartz window 32 and the lens 28.FIG. 3 illustrates thereticule 34 that creates theaperture step 36. - The FIGS. illustrate a single embodiment. This
endoscope 10 has three main optical guides. They are alaser fiber guide 12, a set of fibers to provide alight guide 14 and animage guide 16 having approximately 10,000 light elements to provide 10,000 pixels. These threeoptical guides plastic jacket 18. Thisjacket 18 extends from atrifurcation zone 20 to thehand piece 22 near the distal end of theendoscope 10. - Distal of the
hand piece 22 is the stainless steelcylindrical probe 24. The threelight guides probe 24 and are flush with the distal end of theprobe 24. - Proximal of the
trifurcation zone 20, the three optical guides are in three separate jackets extending to appropriate connectors 12C, 14C, 16C of the optical systems to a laser, a light source and a camera, respectively. - Specifically, connector 12C at the distal end of the
laser fiber guide 12 permits coupling to a laser. A connector 14C at the proximal end of thelight fiber guide 14 permits connecting to a xenon light source and a connector 16C at the distal end of theimage guide 16 permits connection to a camera. - The fibers of the
laser fiber guide 12 andlight fiber guide 14 extend flush to the distal end of the probe. However, the fibers of theimage guide 16 extends to the point where they contact the compound lens that consists of a first lens element 26 and a second lens element 28 (seeFIG. 2 ). - One of the features that makes an endoscope not autoclavable is that steam enters around and between the two lenses 26, 28 thereby changing the optical properties and degrading the image involved. Therefore, it becomes important that particular attention be made to the design at the distal end of the
image guide 16. - A thin wall
stainless steel cannula 30 surrounds and supports the distal end of fibers of theimage guide 16. At the distal end of thiscannula 30, is a transparentprotective quartz window 32. Thewindow 32 is immediately distal of the two lenses 26 and 28. The lens 26 is epoxy bonded to the distal end of the fibers of theimage guide 16. The spacing between the lenses 26 and 28, as well as the spacing between the lens 28 and thewindow 32 are only enough to prevent chromatic aberration. The lens 28 and thewindow 32 are sealed along their peripheries to thecannula 30 by a high temperature resistant epoxy.FIG. 3 illustrates the reticule 34 that creates theaperture stop 36 for the image that is to be collimated by the lens system 26, 28. -
FIG. 3 shows the light fiber bundle in a geometric state which is distal of thehand piece 22. Proximal of the hand piece, the light fiber bundle is a more coherent bundle with a circular cross-section having its own separate geometry and is within its own jacket. But in order to achieve as small a probe as possible, it is more efficient for the light bundle to be distributed in the fashion shown inFIG. 3 . - The
autoclavable endoscope 10 of this invention is made possible by a selection and treatment of materials which in combination permit autoclaving without deterioration of operating characteristics. It should be understood that the endoscope of this invention is not indefinitely autoclavable. That is, after it has been autoclaved a number of times (for example, a dozen times), its operating characteristic may degrade and can no longer be used. The key characteristics that normally degrade initially are the focus or clarity of the image provided by theimage guide 16 and/or the loss of light due to the breakdown of epoxy at the connector 14C for the light guide. - Applicant believes that the invention involved herein is primarily in the selection of materials (and importantly, the particular epoxies) that are subjected to an autoclaving temperature of 265 degrees F., a temperature which is close to the temperature limit at which these epoxy materials retain their sealing and transparency characteristics.
- With this invention, it becomes possible, at reasonable cost and without material change in the manner of operation of the endoscope, to provide a device which can be autoclaved a number of times.
- In large part, this invention is a trade-off between: (a) maintaining reasonable cost, (b) providing an autoclavable endoscope, and (c) providing an endoscope that operates substantially in the same fashion as do comparable endscopes known to the profession.
- As part of this trade-off, that there is an economic trade-off between: (a) the cost of the non-autoclavable endoscope, (b) the cost of the autoclavable endoscope of this invention and (c) the number of times at which the endoscope of this invention can be autoclaved. Applicant believes that this invention provides a combination which optimizes these trade-offs.
- A significant epoxy is the one employed at the distal end of the
probe 24 to seal in the threelight guides quartz window 32 to thecannula 30. It is a high temperature resistant, overnight setting, medical grade epoxy. This high temperature resistance requires both that it not melt during the autoclaving process and that it retain a substantial transparent characteristic before and after autoclaving. An epoxy has been identified which maintains its color and geometry when subjected to the autoclaving process. This epoxy, when subject to autoclaving, is effectively pushed to its limit. Applicant believes this is a reason why this autoclavable endoscope can only be autoclaved a limited number of times; for example, twelve to fifteen times, before losing its image definition and clarity. - A second epoxy seals the proximal lens element 26 to the
cannula 30. It is a high temperature epoxy which has a faster setting time than does the epoxy used for sealing the three light guides to theprobe 24. It sets in 15 to 20 minutes at 166 degrees F. It also maintains its geometry and optical transparency during autoclaving. It need not be medical grade. - Both of the above epoxies are selected for the optical characteristic that they are not black and are transparent or amber and maintain this optical characteristic after autoclaving. The transparency of the epoxy is important to assure non-interference with the transmission of light.
- By contrast, the epoxy at the
trifurcation 20 and proximal end of the three systems is generally preferably a more flexible epoxy such as a urethane. The urethane can be black in color and need not be medical grade. However, such epoxy must withstand the autoclaving temperature and time. - A further feature is that the
thermoplastic elastomer jacket 18 is pre-shrunk at autoclaving temperature to prevent it from being damaged during autoclaving. - It is further important that the prior art plastic connector 16C to the camera is replaced by anodized aluminum to prevent swelling during autoclaving so that it can be reused and will fit into the camera socket. The epoxy used to bond the image guide fibers and ferule to the aluminum connector 16C is not as critical as some of the other epoxies and may be a standard epoxy.
- Another important feature is that the ferule within the connector 14C for the light guide be of copper so as to dissipate the heat from the xenon light source. The connector 14C shell is aluminum. A high temperature epoxy such as that used to bond the lens 26 to the
cannula 30 is used to bond the light fibers to the ferule. The copper ferule and epoxy used at the ferule minimize damage to the delicate fibers used for this illumination guide. - In particular, in one embodiment of the invention, the
probe 24 is a 33 mm long stainless steel cylinder with an OD of 960 microns and an ID of 880 microns. Thestainless steel cannula 30 is a 24 gauge cylinder having a 570 micron (0.57 mm) outside diameter, a 520 micron inside diameter and a length of 331 microns. Within thecannula 30, there is the two element 26, 28 compound lens and thetransparent quartz window 32. Thequartz window 32 is 250 microns long, the lens element 26 is about 590 microns and the lens element 28 is approximately 370 microns. The threeelements 26, 28 and 32 are longitudinally spaced from one another only enough to avoid chromatic aberration. Thus, the spacing is in the range of a fraction of a micron. The fiber optic bundle for theimage system 16 extends through intocannula 30 and is bonded to the proximal surface of the lens element 26. The surface of thequartz window 32 is essentially flush with the end of thecannula 30 and the end of theprobe 24. The lens elements 26 and 28 as well as thewindow 32 are held in place by a full circular epoxy band. This epoxy band extends over about the proximal 150 microns portion of thewindow 32 and also over about 250 microns of the distal portion of the lens element 28. This full circular epoxy band which binds theelements 28 and 32 to the inner surface of thecannula 30 wall serves to prevent steam under the pressures and temperatures of autoclaving from getting into the spaces between the lens andwindow elements 26, 28 and 32. - In one embodiment that has been tested, the following have been successfully employed.
- A first epoxy that is used to bond the
guides probe 24 is a Master Bond 42HT MED available from Master Bond, Inc. of 154 Hobart Street, Hackensack, N.J. 07601. This epoxy sets over night in approximately twelve hours at room temperature. This epoxy is also used to bond the lens 28 andwindow 32 to thecannula 30. - In fabrication, the lens 26 is used to establish the focus. Thus the epoxy that bonds the lens 26 to the
cannula 30 has to be one that sets more quickly than does the 42HT MED. The epoxy used is an EPOTEK 353ND-T epoxy available from Epoxy Technology. Inc. at 14 Fortune Drive, Billerica, Mass. 01821. Under a heat lamp at 1660° F., it cures in between 15 to 20 minutes. This provides a useful setting time within which to establish the focus and obtain a permanent set. - Both of the above epoxies have properties which allow them to withstand 265° F. for 15 minutes for a limited number of times without significantly changing their structural and light transparency properties.
- Another area where the selection of epoxies has to be carefully chosen is at the connector end of the endoscope. A Master Bond 43HT Medical epoxy can be used to bond the
laser guide 12 fiber to the laser connector 12C as well as to bond thelight guide 14 fiber to a ferule that is in the connector 14C. In the latter case, for convenience in terms of available oven, applicant has also used the EPOTEK 353 ND-T. - The high temperature created by the laser at the laser connector 12C and by the xenon light source at the light guide connector 14C requires the use of epoxies that withstand not only the autoclaving temperature but the temperature from the light sources when the endoscope is in use.
- A HYSOL 608 standard epoxy has been used at the image guide to bond the image fiber to a ferule which in turn is bonded to the connector 16C. This epoxy primarily has to be able to withstand the autoclaving temperature without substantial physical distortion. It is available from Loctite Corp. in Rocky Hill, Conn. 06067.
- At other locations, such as when bonding the ferule to the light guide connector 14C and the ferule to the image guide connector 16C, the jackets of the guides of all three connectors, bonding at the
trifurcation 20 and bonding of the jacket to thehand piece 22, a double bubble urethane epoxy D85 has been used. It is available from Elements Specialties, Inc. of Belleville, N.J. 07109. It has the advantages of bonding well to plastic and not melting at the autoclaving temperatures. - While the foregoing description and drawings represent the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that those skilled in the art will be able to make changes and modifications to those embodiments without departing from the teachings of the invention and the scope of the claims.
- For example, the invention has been described in connection with an endoscope having three different fiberoptic systems. Yet, it could be employed with an endoscope having the illumination guide and image guide without the laser guide.
Claims (12)
Priority Applications (1)
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US20140018613A1 (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2014-01-16 | Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. | Hermetically sealed endoscope |
US20140043454A1 (en) * | 2012-08-07 | 2014-02-13 | Olympus Corporation | Endoscope |
US20140128669A1 (en) * | 2011-10-05 | 2014-05-08 | Olympus Corporation | Adhesive composition used in a medical instrument and endoscope device |
US10226167B2 (en) | 2010-05-13 | 2019-03-12 | Beaver-Visitec International, Inc. | Laser video endoscope |
CN111479534A (en) * | 2017-12-12 | 2020-07-31 | 爱尔康公司 | Thermally robust laser probe assembly |
US20210038062A1 (en) * | 2019-08-05 | 2021-02-11 | Gyrus Acmi, Inc. D/B/A Olympus Surgical Technologies America | Optical fiber assembly |
US11337598B2 (en) | 2010-05-13 | 2022-05-24 | Beaver-Visitec International, Inc. | Laser video endoscope |
US11382496B2 (en) | 2006-12-21 | 2022-07-12 | Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. | Stereoscopic endoscope |
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US9565997B2 (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2017-02-14 | Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. | Hermetically sealed endoscope with optical component attached to inner protective window |
US20140018613A1 (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2014-01-16 | Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. | Hermetically sealed endoscope |
US11716455B2 (en) | 2006-12-21 | 2023-08-01 | Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. | Hermetically sealed stereo endoscope of a minimally invasive surgical system |
US10682046B2 (en) | 2006-12-21 | 2020-06-16 | Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. | Surgical system with hermetically sealed endoscope |
US9962069B2 (en) | 2006-12-21 | 2018-05-08 | Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. | Endoscope with distal hermetically sealed sensor |
US11382496B2 (en) | 2006-12-21 | 2022-07-12 | Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. | Stereoscopic endoscope |
US9271633B2 (en) | 2006-12-21 | 2016-03-01 | Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. | Stereo camera for hermetically sealed endoscope |
US11039738B2 (en) | 2006-12-21 | 2021-06-22 | Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. | Methods for a hermetically sealed endoscope |
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US10226167B2 (en) | 2010-05-13 | 2019-03-12 | Beaver-Visitec International, Inc. | Laser video endoscope |
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US11337598B2 (en) | 2010-05-13 | 2022-05-24 | Beaver-Visitec International, Inc. | Laser video endoscope |
US20140128669A1 (en) * | 2011-10-05 | 2014-05-08 | Olympus Corporation | Adhesive composition used in a medical instrument and endoscope device |
US9158103B2 (en) * | 2012-08-07 | 2015-10-13 | Olympus Corporation | Endoscope having adhesives with different bonding strengths |
US20140043454A1 (en) * | 2012-08-07 | 2014-02-13 | Olympus Corporation | Endoscope |
CN111479534A (en) * | 2017-12-12 | 2020-07-31 | 爱尔康公司 | Thermally robust laser probe assembly |
US20210038062A1 (en) * | 2019-08-05 | 2021-02-11 | Gyrus Acmi, Inc. D/B/A Olympus Surgical Technologies America | Optical fiber assembly |
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