Endoscopic wire guide

An endoscopic wire guide apparatus for insertion through an insertion tube of an endoscope having an accessory port, the endoscope being configured for advancement into a patient. The apparatus comprises a wire guide disposed through the insertion tube for delivery into the patient. The wire guide has a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion has a first diameter and the proximal portion has a second diameter less than the first diameter. The first diameter is more rigid than the second diameter. The second diameter is configured to allow the proximal portion to collapse when proximally extending through the accessory port of the endoscope and the distal portion extends at least partially beyond the distal end of the insertion tube.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to medical devices, and more particularly, to endoscopic wire guides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Endoscopic devices have been commonly used for various procedures, typically in the abdominal area. Endoscopy is the examination and inspection of the interior of body organs, joints or cavities through an endoscope. Endoscopy allows physicians to peer through the body's passageways. An endoscopic procedure may be used to diagnose various conditions by close examination of internal organ and body structures and may also guide therapy and repair, such as the removal of torn cartilage from the bearing surfaces of a joint. A biopsy, a procedure involving tissue sampling for pathologic testing, may also be performed under endoscopic guidance. For example, endoscopic procedures include the following known procedures: gastroscopy, sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, esophago gastro duodenoscopy (EGD), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and bronchoscopy.

The use of endoscopic treatments has recently increased for some diseases occurring in the gastrointestinal or pancreatobiliary duct systems. Endoscope systems are used frequently for diagnostic procedures, including contrast imaging of biliary or pancreatic ducts. Endoscopes are also used in procedures for retrieving gallstones that exist in the common bile duct and. elsewhere.

Typically, these treatments and procedures are performed in the pancreatic duct, bile duct, and the hepatic duct by positioning the distal end of an endoscope in the vicinity of the duodenal papilla. Once the endoscope is in place, a wire guide is delivered to the target anatomy so that other devices may be guided to a target location in the patient anatomy. This is accomplished by disposing the wire guide through the working channel of the endoscope to the target location. Another device, such as a catheter, may then be disposed over the wire guide through the working channel of the endoscope as needed.

Although many current endoscopic apparatus are adequate, improvements may be made. For example, when a wire guide is disposed through a working channel of an endoscope, the distal portion thereof is placed at a target location in the patient anatomy and the proximal portion normally extends out of the accessory port of the endoscope. Due to the rigid structure of the wire guide and the typical design of the accessory port, the proximal portion of the wire guide typically extends out of the accessory port at an inconvenient position or angle. In many situations, the proximal portion extends relatively horizontal, upward, or in the way of a clinician. This creates a risk of undesirable contact with the clinician. That is, clinicians experience challenges in avoiding inadvertent contact with the proximal portion or end of the wire guide during use, as the wire guide proximally extends through an accessory port of an endoscope.

Thus, there is a need to reduce the risk of undesirable contact with an endoscope wire guide during endoscopy as the wire guide proximally extends through an accessory port of an endoscope.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides an endoscopic wire guide that solves the challenges mentioned above. The present invention provides a way of lessening the risk of inadvertent contact of the clinician with an endoscopic wire guide during endoscopy as the wire guide proximally extends through an accessory port of an endoscope. As a result, undesirable movement of the wire guide relative to a target location in the patient anatomy is avoided.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides an endoscopic wire guide apparatus for insertion through an insertion tube of an endoscope having an accessory port. The endoscope is configured for advancement into a patient. The apparatus comprises a wire guide that is disposed through the insertion tube for delivery in the patient. The wire guide has a distal portion extending to a distal end and a proximal portion extending from the distal portion to a proximal end. The distal portion has a first segment and the proximal portion having a second segment less rigid than the first segment. The second segment has a reduced diameter and being configured to allow the proximal portion to collapse when proximally extending through the accessory port of the endoscope.

In another embodiment, the wire guide apparatus comprises a second segment made of material having increased flexibility. The second segment is configured to allow the proximal portion to collapse when proximally extending through the accessory port of the endoscope.

In another example, the present invention provides a method of delivering a wire guide apparatus for insertion through an insertion tube of an endoscope having an accessory port. The endoscope is configured for advancement into a patient. The method comprises inserting the endoscope to a target location in a patient anatomy. The method further comprises advancing a wire guide distally through the accessory port of the endoscope. The wire guide has a distal portion extending to a distal end and a proximal portion extending from the distal portion to a proximal end. The distal portion has a first segment and the proximal portion having a second segment less rigid than the first segment. The second segment is configured to allow the proximal portion to collapse at the second segment when proximally extending through the accessory port of the endoscope. The method further comprises aligning the second segment of the wire guide longitudinally adjacent the accessory port. The second segment extends distally therefrom to allow the proximal portion of the wire guide to droop relative to gravity;

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description and the appended claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved wire guide for reducing the risk of inadvertent contact with the wire guide by the clinician during endoscopy as the wire guide proximally extends through an accessory port of an endoscope. In one embodiment, an endoscopic wire guide apparatus comprises a wire guide having distal and proximal portions. The distal portion comprises a first segment and the proximal portion comprises a second segment that is less rigid than the first segment. The second segment allows the proximal portion to droop or bend when the wire guide extends proximally through an accessory port of the endoscope. As a result, a clinician will less likely inadvertently contact the wire guide, thereby avoiding undesirable movement of the wire guide at a target location in the patient anatomy.

FIG. 1illustrates an endoscopic system10comprising an endoscopic wire guide and an endoscope11in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the endoscope11comprises an insertion tube12to be inserted into a body cavity for various endoscopic procedures including gastroscopy, sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, esophago gastro duodenoscopy (EGD), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and bronchoscopy. The insertion tube12comprises a plurality of accessory channels through which endoscopic components, e.g., a wire guide, may be disposed. In one embodiment, endoscopic components disposed in one of the channels may include one embodiment of an improved wire guide as described in greater detail below.

FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate the system10comprising an endoscopic wire guide13disposed through an accessory port23. As shown, the wire guide13extends proximally from the insertion tube12through the accessory port23. As the wire guide13extends through and out of the accessory port23, the wire guide13folds downwardly. As a result, a clinician is less likely to inadvertently contact the wire guide13during an endoscopy procedure, thereby lessening the risk of undesirable movement of the wire guide at a target location in a patient anatomy.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the endoscope11further includes a control system14that is in mechanical and fluid communication with the insertion tube12. The control system14is configured to control the insertion tube12and endoscopic components disposed therein. As shown, the control system14includes first and second control knobs16,18. The control knobs16,18are configured to be in mechanical communication with the insertion tube12. The control knobs16,18allow the physician to control and guide, by known means, the insertion tube12through vessels and cavities of a patient.

The control system14further includes valve switches (e.g., suction valve20, air/water valve21, camera valve22), each of which are in communication with one of the channels of the insertion tube12. For example, the suction valve switch20, when activated, allows a vacuum from a suction source through a suction channel for suctioning unwanted plaque and debris from the patient. In one example, the distal end of the insertion tube12is inserted, rectally or orally, to a predetermined target location within a patient anatomy. Introduction of the insertion tube12may be rectally or orally depending on the endoscopic procedure.

As mentioned above, the control system14further comprises the accessory port23through which the wire guide13is disposed. The accessory port23is in fluid communication with channel67which is formed through the insertion tube12so that an endoscopic component, e.g., a wire guide, may be disposed through the distal tip30of the endoscope11.

In this embodiment, the insertion tube12comprises an operating portion25connected to the control system14and extending to an insertion portion protecting member26. A control system20is connected to the operating portion25and is configured to control the insertion tube12. In this embodiment, the insertion tube12is composed of components that include a flexible tube28, a flexure29connected to the flexible tube28, and an endoscope tip30connect to the flexure29. A universal cord31, on one end, is connected and in communication with the control system20. On the other end, the cord31has a connector19attached thereto. The connector19is in communication with a light guide tube and electrical contact, and is connected to a light source apparatus32and an image processing apparatus33(external devices). These external devices may include a monitor34, an input keyboard35, a suction pump apparatus36, an irrigation bottle37, and other suitable apparatus that are installed on a rack39equipped with carriers38.

As shown inFIG. 3, a cutout40is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tip30in one example. In this embodiment, a channel opening42is formed on one side of the cutout40, and an objective lens44and a light source46are disposed on another side of the cutout40for imaging. Both the objective lens44and the light source46are positioned adjacent to the channel opening42. The tip30further comprises a nozzle48extending from a back wall surface50of the cutout40. The nozzle48allows a stream of water, air, or the like to spray towards the outer surface of the objective lens44to clean the lens surface.

FIG. 4illustrates the wire guide13comprising a distal portion52having a distal end53. As shown, the wire guide13further comprises a proximal portion54having a proximal end56. In this embodiment, the distal portion52comprises a first segment57having a first diameter D1that extends along the entire length of the distal portion52to the proximal portion54. In this embodiment, the proximal portion54comprises a first transition area B1that proximally tapers and extends to a second segment58having a second diameter D2. Preferably, the second segment58is less rigid than the first segment57and is configured to allow the proximal portion54to droop relative to gravity when the second segment58proximally extends through the accessory port of the endoscope. In this embodiment, this is accomplished since the second diameter D2has a reduced diameter relative to the first diameter D1. That is, the second diameter D2is less than the first diameter D1The second segment58extends from the first transition area B1along the proximal portion54to a second transition area B2. As shown inFIG. 4, the second transition area B2flares and extends proximally to a third segment59having a third diameter D3greater than the second diameter D2. In this embodiment, the third diameter D3is the first diameter D1. As mentioned, the second segment58having the second diameter D2is configured to allow the wire guide13to droop downwardly due to gravity when proximally extending from the insertion tube12through the accessory port23. Thus, a clinician may avoid inadvertent contact with the wire guide13during an endoscopy procedure.

However, it is understood that the proximal portion54may include merely the second segment58having only the second diameter D2and extending along the entire length of the proximal portion54without falling beyond the scope or spirit of the present invention.

In one example, the wire guide13has a total length of up to 225 centimeters (cm). Preferably, the total length is between about 185 cm and 225 cm. The distal portion may have a length of about 160 cm and 185 cm, as measured from the distal end53of the wire guide13, and the second segment may have a length of about 5 to 15 cm, allowing drooping or folding along the second diameter D2when the proximal portion54extends from the accessory port23of the endoscope11. The distal portion52extends at least partially beyond the tip30of the endoscope11.

In this embodiment, the wire guide13may have an outer coating70disposed about the wire guide13. As shown, the outer coating is disposed along the distal and proximal portions52,54so that the wire guide has a constant outer diameter therealong. The outer coating may comprise polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, perfluoroelastomer, fluoroelastomer, nitrile, neoprene, polyurethane, silicone, styrene-butadiene, rubber, or polyisobutylene or a mixture thereof.

FIG. 5depicts the wire guide13inFIG. 4disposed within the insertion tube12of endoscope11. As shown, the proximal portion54of the wire guide13extends through the accessory port23and droops downwardly. The configuration of the proximal portion54and the proximal diameter D2allows the wire guide to fold or bend downwardly when proximally extending from the insertion tube12through the accessory port23and the distal portion52extends at least partially beyond the tip30of the endoscope11. As a result, a clinician is less likely to inadvertently contact the wire guide13during an endoscopy procedure, thereby avoiding undesirable movement of the wire guide at a target location in the patient anatomy.

FIG. 6illustrates a wire guide160in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the wire guide160comprises a distal portion160having a distal end163and a proximal portion164having a proximal end156. In this embodiment, the distal portion162has a distal diameter D3extending to a transition area B3along the entire length of the distal portion162. The proximal portion164has a proximal diameter D4extending from the transition area B3to the proximal end156along the entire length of the proximal portion. As shown, the proximal diameter D4is reduced and less than the distal diameter D3, thereby allowing the proximal portion164extending from the accessory port23of the endoscope10to bend or fold and the distal portion162extends at least partially beyond the tip30of the endoscope11. As the embodiment described above, a clinician avoids inadvertent contact with the wire guide during an endoscopy procedure.

In another embodiment, the second segment is made of material having increased flexibility to allow the proximal portion to droop when proximally extending through the accessory port of the endoscope. In this embodiment, the material may be superelastic material or shape memory material having a transition temperature, e.g., nitinol.

In yet another example, the present invention comprises a method of delivering a wire guide apparatus for insertion through an insertion tube of an endoscope having an accessory port. The method comprises inserting the endoscope to a target location in a patient anatomy. This is accomplished by any medical procedure or any technique known in the art. The method further comprises advancing the wire guide distally through the accessory port of the endoscope. In this example, the wire guide has a distal portion extending to a distal end and a proximal portion extending from the distal portion to a proximal end. The distal portion has a first segment and the proximal portion has a second segment less rigid than the first segment as mentioned above. The second segment is configured to allow the proximal portion to collapse at the second segment when proximally extending through the accessory port of the endoscope.

The method further comprises aligning the second segment of the wire guide longitudinally adjacent the accessory port. The second segment extends distally from the accessory port to allow the proximal portion of the wire guide to droop relative to gravity.

While the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made to those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.