Patent Description:
An endoscope typically includes a rigid or flexible tube, a lighting unit, and an observation structure, and enters the human body through a natural orifice or a small surgical incision. Existing endoscopes are usually disposable and their components are not reusable, resulting in a very high costs of the endoscopes.

Prior art document <CIT> discloses an endoscope system which has a sheath arranged at the peripheral side of an endoscope insertion tube. A cooling device supplies fluid inside the sheath so as to cool the endoscope insertion tube. The sheath is removed by connecting an air supply tube of the cooling device to a base cap. A sheath side gap obstruction wall is formed to fill the gap between a sheath fixed hole of the base cap and the sheath.

In a first aspect, the invention as defined in claim <NUM> relates to an inserting apparatus, including a base and a movable element, where.

Optionally, the inner wall of the fixed element is provided with a positioning groove, and the pressing element is provided with a positioning protrusion; the positioning groove is configured to accommodate the positioning protrusion; and the positioning protrusion is slidable in the positioning groove.

Optionally, the pressing element, the fixed element, and the elastic element are coaxially arranged.

Optionally, an axial length of the pressing element is greater than an axial length of the fixed element.

Further, according to the invention as defined in claim <NUM>, the elastic element is annular; and the support tube and the movable element are able to pass through the elastic element <NUM>.

Further, according to the invention as defined in claim <NUM>, an end of the pressing element away from the elastic element is provided with a force application portion.

Optionally, the inner wall of the base is further provided with a conical accommodating portion; and the accommodating portion is connected to the step surface and configured to accommodate the elastic element for deformation.

Optionally, the movable element is provided with an electrical connection portion; and the electrical connection portion is connected to an external power source for supplying power to the insertion object.

In a second aspect, a preferred embodiment of the invention provides an endoscope, including a handle device and the inserting apparatus according to the first aspect, where the inserting apparatus is provided on the handle device; and the insertion object at the front end of the support tube is able to enter the handle device.

In a third aspect, the invention as defined in claim <NUM> relates to a use method of the inserting apparatus according to the first aspect, including the following steps:.

Compared with the prior art, the present disclosure has at least the following technical effects.

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments or the prior art. Apparently, the drawings in the following description show merely some embodiments of the present disclosure, and persons of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these drawings without creative efforts.

Reference Numerals: <NUM>. inserting apparatus; <NUM>. base; <NUM>. step surface; <NUM>. accommodating portion; <NUM>. access hole; <NUM>. electrical connection slot; <NUM>. movable element; <NUM>. electrical connection portion; <NUM>. locking element; <NUM>. support element; <NUM>. fixed element; <NUM>. positioning groove; <NUM>. protrusion; <NUM>. elastic element; <NUM>. outer edge; <NUM>. inner edge; <NUM>. through-hole; <NUM>. pressing element; <NUM>. positioning protrusion; <NUM>. force application portion; <NUM>. signal line; <NUM>. support tube; <NUM>. electrical connection portion; <NUM>. first electrical connection terminal; <NUM>. second electrical connection terminal; and <NUM>. handle device.

The following description provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different features of the present disclosure. The elements and arrangements described in the following specific examples are only intended to concisely express the present disclosure, and are only for illustration purposes, rather than to limit the present disclosure.

In order to make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the described embodiments are some, rather than all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Generally, components of the embodiments of the present disclosure described and shown in the drawings may be arranged and designed in various manners.

Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure in the drawings is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure, but merely indicates selected embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without creative efforts should fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that similar reference signs and letters represent similar items in the drawings below. Therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and described in subsequent drawings.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that orientations or position relationships indicated by terms such as "upper", "lower", "inner", and "outer" are orientation or position relationships shown in the drawings, and these terms are only used to facilitate description of the present disclosure and simplify the description, but not to indicate or imply that the mentioned apparatus or components must have a specific orientation or must be established and operated in a specific orientation, and thus these terms cannot be understood as a limitation to the present disclosure.

In addition, the terms such as "first" and "second" are used only for distinguishing description and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

It should be noted that, if there is no conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be mutually combined.

Embodiment <NUM> of the present disclosure provides inserting apparatus <NUM>, including base <NUM> and movable element <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the base <NUM> is a hollow structure. An inner wall of the base <NUM> is provided with step surface <NUM>. Fixed element <NUM> is fixedly provided in the base <NUM>. A gap is formed between one end of the fixed element <NUM> and the step surface <NUM>. The gap is configured to accommodate a fixed end of elastic element <NUM>. Pressing element <NUM> is slidable along an inner wall of the fixed element <NUM> to push a free end of the elastic element <NUM>.

The elastic element <NUM> has a closed shape, such as a circle, a triangle, a square or a diamond, which is not limited herein. The fixed end of the elastic element <NUM> is an end located in the gap, and the free end of the elastic element is an end away from the gap. In this embodiment, the fixed end of the elastic element <NUM> forms outer edge <NUM>, and the free end of the elastic element forms inner edge <NUM>.

The movable element <NUM> includes one end connected to signal line <NUM> and the other end connected to support tube <NUM>. A front end of the support tube <NUM> is connected to an insertion object, and the support tube <NUM> is able to pass through the base <NUM>. The movable element <NUM> is at least partially movable along an inner wall of the pressing element <NUM> to enter the base <NUM>.

In the above solution, as shown in <FIG>, the base <NUM> is overall cylindrical. The base <NUM> can further be in the shape of a rectangular solid, a cuboid or a prism, which is not limited herein. The base <NUM> is a hollow structure. The inner wall of the base <NUM> is provided with the step surface <NUM>. The step surface <NUM> is provided at one end close to the pressing element <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the fixed element <NUM> is adapted to the shape of the base <NUM>, and the fixed element <NUM> is also a hollow structure. The fixed element <NUM> is fixedly provided in the base <NUM>. One end of the fixed element <NUM> is close to the step surface <NUM>. It does not contact with the step surface <NUM>, but forms a gap with the step surface. The gap accommodates the elastic element <NUM>. It can be understood that one side of the elastic element <NUM> is in contact with the step surface <NUM>, while the other side of the elastic element is in contact with the fixed element <NUM>. The elastic element <NUM> is not fixedly connected to any component. If the elastic element <NUM> is damaged, it can be easily disassembled and replaced, and the design also facilitates partial deformation of the elastic element <NUM>. A thickness of elastic element <NUM> is less than or equal to a width of the gap. The width of the gap is dynamically adjustable according to the thickness of the elastic element <NUM> so as to adapt to different thicknesses of the elastic element <NUM> for different needs. The pressing element <NUM> is located inside the fixed element <NUM>. When it is necessary to insert the external insertion object into the base <NUM>, the pressing element <NUM> is pressed by an external force. That is, an axial force is applied to the pressing element <NUM>, causing the pressing element <NUM> to slide along the inner wall of the fixed element <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. A front end of the pressing element <NUM> is abutted against the inner edge <NUM> of the elastic element <NUM>, and the inner edge <NUM> is pushed to deform axially, causing a diameter of through-hole <NUM> to increase. The support tube <NUM> and a portion of the movable element <NUM> can sequentially enter the base <NUM> through the pressing element <NUM> and the through-hole <NUM> of the elastic element <NUM>, such that the insertion object is inserted into an inserting unit through the base <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, one end of the movable element <NUM> is connected to the signal line <NUM>. It can be understood that the one end of movable element <NUM> is directly connected to the signal line or the one end of movable element <NUM> is connected to a signal tube holding the signal line, which is not limited herein. The other end of the movable element is connected to the support tube <NUM>. The front end of the support tube <NUM> is connected to the insertion object. The support tube <NUM> is configured to support the insertion object, in order to smoothly deliver the insertion object to a designated position or pull out and recover the insertion object for multiple uses.

It should be noted that the insertion object can be a camera or a light-emitting diode (LED) in the field of endoscopy, or it can be a device component that needs to be reused in other fields.

Optionally, the movable element <NUM>, the signal line <NUM>, and the support tube <NUM> can be connected by means such as welding, integrated molding, adhesive bonding, threading or clamping, which is not limited herein.

Optionally, the fixed element <NUM> and the base <NUM> can be connected through internal and external threads or embedded clamping, and can be fixedly connected by means such as integrated molding, adhesive bonding or welding, which is not limited herein.

Therefore, in the inserting apparatus <NUM> provided by the present disclosure, the fixed element <NUM>, the elastic element <NUM>, and the pressing element <NUM> in the base <NUM> cooperate with each other, such that the insertion object can pass through the base <NUM> to enter a required component. Due to the axial deformation of the elastic element <NUM>, the insertion object can be fixed at any desired position in the base <NUM>, thereby achieving fast and stepless positioning of the insertion object.

Further, the inner wall of the fixed element <NUM> is provided with positioning groove <NUM>, and the pressing element <NUM> is provided with positioning protrusion <NUM>. The positioning groove <NUM> is configured to accommodate the positioning protrusion <NUM>, and the positioning protrusion <NUM> is slidable in the positioning groove <NUM>.

In the above solution, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the fixed element <NUM> is a hollow structure. The inner wall of the fixed element <NUM> is provided with the positioning groove <NUM>. The positioning groove <NUM> is provided at an end close to the elastic element <NUM>. An outer wall of the pressing element <NUM> is provided with the positioning protrusion <NUM> corresponding to the positioning groove <NUM>. The front end of the pressing element <NUM> is provided with a reduced portion. When an external force is applied to push the pressing element <NUM>, the positioning protrusion <NUM> is slidable along the positioning groove <NUM>. The reduced portion is abutted against the inner edge <NUM> of the elastic element <NUM> and is able to push the elastic element <NUM> to deform axially. When the insertion object reaches an appropriate position, the external force applied to the pressing element <NUM> is removed. The elastic element <NUM> contracts to lock the movable element <NUM>, causing the movable element <NUM> to stop moving in the base <NUM>.

The positioning groove <NUM> in the fixed element <NUM> axially positions the pressing element <NUM>. Otherwise, when the external force applied to the pressing element <NUM> remains unchanged or disappears, the pressing element <NUM> will be subjected to a rebound force of the elastic element <NUM>, causing the pressing element <NUM> to detach from the fixed element <NUM>, such that the elastic element <NUM> cannot lock the movable element <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, protrusion <NUM> is provided on a surface of the fixed element <NUM>. The base <NUM> is provided with a groove corresponding to the protrusion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> and the groove <NUM> are clamped to axially position the fixed element <NUM> in the base <NUM>, avoiding axial movement of the fixed element <NUM> when the pressing element <NUM> moves in the fixed element <NUM>.

Further, the pressing element <NUM>, the fixed element <NUM>, and the elastic element <NUM> are coaxially arranged.

In the above solution, as shown in <FIG>, when the support tube <NUM> and the portion of the movable element <NUM> enter the base <NUM>, the pressing element <NUM> is sleeved on the movable element <NUM>, the fixed element <NUM> is sleeved on the pressing element <NUM>, and the elastic element <NUM> is located in a front section of the fixed element <NUM> and the pressing element <NUM> and sleeved on the movable element <NUM>. The pressing element <NUM>, the fixed element <NUM>, and the elastic element <NUM> are coaxially arranged such that the movable element <NUM>, the support tube <NUM> and the insertion object can smoothly enter and pass through the base <NUM>.

Further, an axial length of the pressing element <NUM> is greater than an axial length of the fixed element <NUM>.

In the above solution, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the axial length of the pressing element <NUM> is greater than the axial length of the fixed element <NUM>, such that the pressing element <NUM> has a sufficient length to slide relative to the fixed element <NUM> and an appropriate length to push the elastic element <NUM>, causing the elastic element to make required axial deformation. If the length of the pressing element <NUM> is equal to or less than the length of the fixed element <NUM>, it is not easy to push the pressing element <NUM> to slide through an external force, and the axial deformation of the elastic element <NUM> cannot reach an actual required amount.

It should be noted that the length of the pressing element <NUM> only needs to be greater than the length of the fixed element <NUM>. The specific length of the pressing element <NUM> can be set according to actual needs, and it is not limited herein.

Further, the elastic element <NUM> is annular, and the support tube <NUM> and the movable element <NUM> can pass through the elastic element <NUM>.

In the above solution, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the elastic element <NUM> includes the outer edge <NUM>, the inner edge <NUM>, and the through hole <NUM>. A zone enclosed by the outer edge <NUM> and the inner edge <NUM> includes hollow teeth. When the outer edge <NUM> is located in the base <NUM>, the outer edge <NUM> is located in the gap formed by the step surface <NUM> and the one end of the fixed element <NUM> and is in close contact with the step surface and the one end of the fixed element, and one side of the inner edge <NUM> is abutted against the pressing element <NUM>. When the pressing element <NUM> pushes the inner edge <NUM> to move axially, the outer edge <NUM> remains stationary in the gap, the inner edge <NUM> deforms axially, and a diameter of the through-hole <NUM> increases. When the diameter of the through-hole <NUM> is greater than a diameter of the movable element <NUM>, the support tube <NUM> and the movable element <NUM> pass through the through-hole <NUM> and enter the base <NUM>. When the insertion object connected to the front end of the support tube <NUM> reaches an appropriate position, the pressing element <NUM> is not pushed any more, and the inner edge <NUM> rebounds axially. The diameter of the through-hole <NUM> decreases to lock the movable element <NUM>.

Further, an end of the pressing element <NUM> away from the elastic element <NUM> is provided with force application portion <NUM>.

In the above solution, as shown in <FIG>, one end of the pressing element <NUM> is provided with the force application portion <NUM>. A diameter of the force application portion <NUM> is larger than a diameter of the fixed element <NUM>, and a groove is formed between the force application portion <NUM> and the positioning protrusion <NUM>. The pressing element <NUM> is provided with a protrusion corresponding to the groove. The protrusion and the groove are matched to achieve axial positioning of the pressing element <NUM>, avoiding excessive force application during a pressing process to press the force application portion <NUM> of the pressing element <NUM> into the fixed element <NUM>.

It should be noted that an object of applying a force to the force application portion <NUM> can be an operator or a tool, which is not limited herein.

Further, the inner wall of the base <NUM> is further provided with accommodating portion <NUM>. The accommodating portion <NUM> is conical. The accommodating portion <NUM> is connected to the step surface <NUM>, and the accommodating portion <NUM> is configured to accommodate the elastic element <NUM> for deformation.

In the above solution, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the accommodating portion <NUM> is located below the step surface <NUM>. The outer edge <NUM> of the elastic element <NUM> is located in the gap. One side of the inner edge <NUM> is abutted against the pressing element <NUM>, and the other side of the inner edge forms an accommodating space with the accommodating portion <NUM>. When the pressing element <NUM> pushes the inner edge <NUM>, the inner edge <NUM> undergoes a certain degree of deformation in the accommodating space. The accommodating portion <NUM> ensures that the inner edge <NUM> undergoes deformation in the space of a combined force, avoiding the inability of the inner edge to recover due to excessive deformation or the inability of the inner edge to achieve an expected effect due to small deformation.

The base <NUM> is further provided with access hole <NUM>. After entering the base <NUM>, the support tube <NUM> passes through the access hole <NUM> to enter a required insertion component.

Further, the movable element <NUM> is provided with electrical connection portion <NUM>. The electrical connection portion <NUM> is connected to an external power source for supplying power to the insertion object.

In the above solution, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the electrical connection portion <NUM> is provided at one end of the movable element <NUM> close to the support tube <NUM>. The electrical connection portion <NUM> is provided with an electrode plate. The electrode plate is fixedly provided in the movable element <NUM> and electrically connected to the external power source for supplying power to the insertion object.

Optionally, the movable element <NUM> is cylindrical. A cylindrical outer wall is provided with a flat surface. The step surface is formed between the flat surface and the outer wall. The electrode plate is located on the flat surface. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, correspondingly, the base <NUM> is further provided with a flat surface and a step surface. When the movable element <NUM> enters the base <NUM>, the step surface is abutted against the inner wall of the base <NUM> to axially position the movable element <NUM>. The flat surface circumferentially positions the movable element <NUM> in the base <NUM> to avoid rotation and movement of the insertion object at the front end of the support tube <NUM> during use.

As shown in <FIG>, the movable element <NUM> includes two portions with different diameters. The diameter of the portion close to the signal line is greater than the diameter of the other portion. These two portions form a step surface at a diameter change position. When the movable element <NUM> enters the base <NUM>, the step surface is abutted against the pressing element <NUM> to avoid the position of the insertion object beyond a target position due to the excessive entry of the movable element <NUM> into the base <NUM>.

In this embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, electrical connection portion <NUM> is provided. The electrical connection portion <NUM> is fixed in electrical connection slot <NUM>. The electrical connection slot <NUM> is in an "L" shape. The electrical connection portion <NUM> includes first electrical connection terminal <NUM> and second electrical connection terminal <NUM>. The first electrical connection terminal <NUM> is configured to connect the external power source, and the second electrical connection terminal <NUM> is configured to abut against the electrode plate of the electrical connection portion <NUM>. The second electrical connection terminal <NUM> is axially slidable along the electrode plate and maintains an electrical connection between the electrical connection portion <NUM> of the movable element <NUM> and the electrical connection portion <NUM> within a movable range, thereby ensuring that the insertion object is in a charged state.

Specifically, the first electrical connection portion <NUM> is in an "L" shape, which facilitates its mounting in the electrical connection slot <NUM>. The second electrical connection portion <NUM> is in a "V" shape, and includes one end connected to the first electrical connection portion <NUM>, a middle portion abutted against the electrical connection portion <NUM>, and the other end abutted against an inner wall of the electrical connection slot <NUM>. A length of the electrical connection slot <NUM> is greater than a length of the second electrical connection portion <NUM>.

Optionally, there may be one, two, or three electrical connection portions <NUM>, which is not limited herein. In this embodiment, preferably, there are three electrical connection portions.

As shown in <FIG>, an inner wall of the movable element <NUM> is symmetrically provided with support element <NUM> for supporting the electrical connection portion <NUM> and limiting the electrical connection portion <NUM> within an appropriate range. The movable element <NUM> is provided with locking element <NUM>. When the support tube <NUM> is in an appropriate position within the movable element <NUM>, the locking element <NUM> fixes and locks the support tube <NUM>, such that the support tube <NUM> is fixedly provided in the movable element <NUM>.

Embodiment <NUM> of the present disclosure provides an endoscope, including handle device <NUM> and the inserting apparatus <NUM> described in Embodiment <NUM>. The inserting apparatus <NUM> is provided on the handle device <NUM>, and the insertion object at the front end of the support tube <NUM> is able to enter the handle device <NUM>.

In the above solution, as shown in <FIG>, in this embodiment, the inserting apparatus <NUM> is provided on the handle device <NUM> of the endoscope. The base <NUM> of the inserting apparatus <NUM> is detachably provided on the handle device <NUM> or provided on the handle device <NUM> through integrated molding. The insertion object can be a camera unit, a lighting unit, or other element that can be inserted separately. When an external force is applied to press the pressing element <NUM>, the elastic element <NUM> is pushed to deform. The diameter of through-hole <NUM> increases, and the support tube <NUM> passes through the base <NUM> and enters the handle device <NUM>. The position of the support tube <NUM> in the handle device <NUM> is adjusted. When the insertion object reaches an appropriate position in a front-end element, the pressing element <NUM> is not pressed any more. The elastic element <NUM> locks the movable element <NUM> and locks the support tube <NUM> and the insertion object. The front end of the front-end element is provided with sealed glass to prevent contamination of the insertion object during use. After the endoscope is used, the pressing element <NUM> is pressed to stop the elastic element <NUM> from locking the movable element <NUM>, and the support tube <NUM> is pulled out of the handle device <NUM> for next use.

The third aspect of the present disclosure provides a use method of the inserting apparatus <NUM> described in Embodiment <NUM>, including the following steps.

When the movable element <NUM> and the support tube <NUM> enter the base <NUM>, the pressing element <NUM> is pressed by the force application portion <NUM>. The pressing element <NUM> pushes the elastic element <NUM> to deform until the movable element <NUM> is able to pass through the elastic element <NUM>, and the pressing element <NUM> keeps stationary.

The support tube <NUM> and the movable element <NUM> sequentially pass through the pressing element <NUM> and the elastic element <NUM>, and enter the base <NUM>.

The movable element <NUM> is adjusted to an appropriate position in the base <NUM>. The pressing on the force application portion <NUM> is stopped, and the elastic element <NUM> rebounds to clamp the movable element <NUM>.

When the movable element <NUM> and the support tube <NUM> leave the base <NUM>, the pressing element <NUM> is pressed by the force application portion <NUM>. The pressing element <NUM> pushes the elastic element <NUM> to deform until the movable element <NUM> is movable, and the movable element <NUM> and the support tube <NUM> are pulled out.

Claim 1:
An inserting apparatus (<NUM>) comprising a base (<NUM>) and a movable element (<NUM>), wherein
the base (<NUM>) is a hollow structure; an inner wall of the base (<NUM>) is provided with a step surface (<NUM>); a fixed element (<NUM>) is fixedly provided in the base (<NUM>); a gap is formed between one end of the fixed element (<NUM>) and the step surface (<NUM>); the gap is configured to accommodate a fixed end of an elastic element (<NUM>); and a pressing element (<NUM>) is slidable along an inner wall of the fixed element (<NUM>) to push a free end of the elastic element (<NUM>);
the movable element (<NUM>) comprises a first end connected to a signal line (<NUM>) and a second end connected to a support tube (<NUM>); a front end of the support tube (<NUM>) is connected to an insertion object, and the support tube (<NUM>) is allowed to pass through the base (<NUM>); and the movable element (<NUM>) is at least partially movable along an inner wall of the pressing element (<NUM>) to enter the base (<NUM>); and
the elastic element (<NUM>) is annular; the support tube (<NUM>) and the movable element (<NUM>) are allowed to pass through the elastic element (<NUM>); and an end of the pressing element (<NUM>) away from the elastic element (<NUM>) is provided with a force application portion (<NUM>).