Patent Publication Number: US-2022233060-A1

Title: Device for endoscopic foreign-body removal

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Prov. App. Ser. No. 63/140,289 filed Jan. 22, 2021, titled Device for endoscopic foreign-body removal. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of gastroenterology and more particularly to a device to aid in the removal of foreign bodies from the esophagus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Generally, humans chew their food in their mouth, where the food is broken down and mixed with saliva, after which it is swallowed and passes into the stomach. 
     While this process generally works, at times the partially-chewed food, or bolus, stops short of the stomach. Or an object, swallowed by accident or by a child, becomes trapped in a narrow portion in the esophagus. In either situation, a foreign body is lodged in the esophagus and medical intervention is required for removal. 
     Currently, removal of such foreign bodies involves the use of non-ideal devices, such as snares, forceps, or baskets affixed to the end of a commercially-available endoscope. These devices have significant drawbacks, often causing food to separate into individual pieces. This lengthens the procedure and causes unneeded trauma to the patient. 
     What is needed is a device to effectively aid in the removal of obstructions from the esophagus, specifically food. 
     SUMMARY 
     The endoscope adapter for obstruction removal attaches to an endoscope via a flexible coupler/collar. The endoscope uses a pump to create suction, the low pressure causing a flow through the adapter. A constriction, or venturi, between the endoscope tip and adapter creates an increase in suction pressure, resulting in an increased effectiveness in gripping and removing obstructions, such as partially-chewed food. 
     The endoscope adapter for obstruction removal includes two primary features: 
     First, the tip is a larger diameter than the coupler, thus increasing the area for gripping the food or bolus. 
     Second, a construction, forming a venturi, is placed between the location where suction is applied by the endoscope and the tip of the adapter, increasing the resulting suction. 
     The preferred embodiment of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal includes a tip with a 12 mm internal diameter, into which the food or obstruction is drawn. This diameter reduces to a 2 mm internal diameter for a length of 2 mm, creating a venturi, or restriction. Internal diameter then increases to 10 mm at the flexible collar that affixes to the distal tip of the endoscope. The suction inlet at the distal tip of the endoscope measures 2.5 mm. 
     In total the preferred embodiment is a length of 28 to 30 mm. 
     In the preferred embodiment the flexible coupler has a diameter of 8.5 millimeters. With the preferred embodiment having an internal diameter of 12 millimeters, the result is that the body of the preferred embodiment has a 40% larger diameter than the coupling diameter. 
     In the second embodiment the internal diameter is expanded to 15 millimeters. 
     With the second embodiment having an internal diameter of 15 millimeters, the result is that the body of the second embodiment has an approximately 75% larger diameter than the coupling diameter. 
     The body of the device having larger internal diameter than the coupling improves its ability to remove larger objects. 
     The closest existing device is a device adapted from use as a banding device. It is a cylindrical shape and attaches to the distal tip of an endoscope using a flexible collar. The device is 25 mm in length with an opening diameter of 10 mm. 
     The narrowing of the internal diameter to create the venturi has the potential of obstructing the view of the camera, or optical fibers, present in the distal tip of the endoscope. To address this, the material used around the venturi is clear, permitting light to pass through without distortion. This allows the user to see through the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal. 
     The purpose of an endoscopy is to view the gastrointestinal tract. This may include the upper gastrointestinal tract, the stomach, and the lower GI tract. In order to enhance the user&#39;s view, irrigation and suction are available to clear any obstructive debris. The endoscope adapter for obstruction removal allows flow both to and from the endoscope distal tip, thus allowing water to exit the endoscope adapter into the body, as well as for suction to draw items into the endoscope adapter. The user may also use the irrigation feature of the endoscope to expel water, which can clean the device and help the user to better view the esophagus and the obstruction. 
     The suction pumps generally used in conjunction with an endoscope can create a maximum suction of 450 mm Hg. 
     Discussion will now focus on the preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a first isometric view of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a view of a typical flexible endoscope. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an isometric end view of the tip of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a view of the tip of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an isometric end view of the base of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a view of the base of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a first isometric view of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal is shown. 
     The endoscope adapter for obstruction removal  1  is shown, with the flexible coupler  10  ready to affix to the flexible endoscope  100 . 
     An obstruction  200 , such as food or bolus, is shown ready to be drawn into the tip  16  of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal  1 . 
     The first embodiment of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal one is shown with an exterior diameter of 12 millimeters. This embodiment is intended for use in patients with smaller esophagus, for example, children. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a view of a typical flexible endoscope is shown. 
     The flexible endoscope  100  includes a body  102 , suction pump connection  104 , air pump connection  106 , instrument inlet  108 , insertion tube  110 , bending section  112 , and distal tip  114 . 
     Focusing on a close-up view of the distal tip  114 , also shown is a lens  116 , light guide  118 , irrigation nozzle  120 , insufflation nozzle  122  (for injection of air), and instrument and suction channel  124 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a side view of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal is shown. 
     The endoscope adapter for obstruction removal  1  includes primary components flexible coupler  10 , body  12 , and tip  16 . 
     The flexible coupler  10  is preferable made from a pliable material, such as silicone. 
     The body  12  is preferably made from a material that is stiffer than the flexible coupler  10 , such as Polyethylene, Polypropylene, or similar. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a cross-sectional view of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal is shown. 
     Note that the diameter of the body  12  is greater than the diameter of the flexible coupler  10 . 
     Viewing the internals of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal  1 , primary parts again include flexible coupler  10 , body  12 , and tip  16 . 
     Within the tip  16  is the obstruction chamber  14 , into which the food, bolus, or other object is drawn. 
     The viewing window  18  sits within a viewing recess  20  within the interior wall  28 . The viewing window  18  allows light to pass through the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal  1  and into the light guide  118  (see  FIG. 2 ), thus allowing the user to guide the distal tip  114  (see  FIG. 2 ). The thickness of the viewing window  18  is optionally reduced to minimize distortion. 
     The venturi  30  sits within the interior wall  28 . The venturi  30  includes a venturi body  31 . 
     The venturi  30  is preferably placed below the centerline of the body  12 . By placing the venturi below the center, the viewing window is increased in size to provide the user a clear and unobstructed view of the obstruction chamber  14 . The venturi is best located in-line with, or biased toward, the instrument and suction channel  124  (see  FIG. 5 ) of the flexible endoscope  100  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     The venturi  30  is divided into a venturi converging section  32  and venturi diverging section  35  separated by the venturi throat  34 . 
     The venturi converging section  32  has walls set at venturi converging angle  33 . 
     The venturi diverging section  35  has walls set at venturi diverging angle  36 . 
     Venturi converging angle  33  and venturi diverging angle  36  measured with respect to the venturi throat  34  are each preferably equals to or less than 15 degrees. 
     The venturi  30  allows flow through the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal  1  in direction of flow  37 , connecting the interior chamber  24  to the obstruction chamber  14 . Restated, the venturi  30  is the fluid communication pathway between the endoscope and the obstruction chamber  14 . 
     The distal tip  114  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the flexible endoscope (see  FIG. 2 ) is inserted into the flexible coupler  10 , resting against the endoscope stop  26  of the interior chamber  24 , the endoscope stop  26  preventing over-insertion. 
     The interior chamber  24  is also referred to as the first chamber, and the obstruction chamber  14  referred to as the second chamber. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , an isometric cross-sectional view of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal is shown. 
     With the distal tip  114  inserted into the coupling  10 , the arrangement of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal  1  with respect to the distal tip  114  is visible. 
     The venturi  30 , venturi body  31 , venturi converging section  32 , venturi throat  34 , and venturi diverging section  35  are again visible. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , an isometric end view, and an end-on view, of the tip of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal are shown. 
     The endoscope adapter for obstruction removal  1  is shown with obstruction chamber  14 , and the venturi  30  protruding through the interior wall  28 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an isometric end view of the base of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal is shown. 
     The endoscope adapter for obstruction removal  1  is shown with flexible coupler  10 , the venturi  30  supported by the interior wall  28 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a view of the base of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal is shown. 
     The endoscope adapter for obstruction removal  1  is shown with body  12  and flexible coupler  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a side view of a second embodiment of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal is shown. 
     The second embodiment of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal  1  has an exterior diameter of 15 millimeters. This second embodiment is designed for use in patients with larger esophagus, for example adults. 
     Note that the diameter of the body  12  is again larger than the flexible couple of  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a cross-sectional view and isometric cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the endoscope adapter for obstruction removal are shown. 
     The endoscope adapter for obstruction removal is shown with flexible coupler  10 , body  12 , interior chamber  24 , endoscope stop  26 , interior wall  28 , venturi  30 , obstruction chamber  14 , and tip  16 . 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.