Fluid manifold for endoscope system

Abstract

A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.

1 . A manifold for distributing fluid to a medical device, comprising: 
 a manifold body having a first inlet port, a first outlet port, and at least one passageway that interconnects the first inlet port and the first outlet port;    wherein a section of the passageway is configured for selective closure upon the application of external force on the section, thereby conditionally interrupting fluid passage between the inlet port and the outlet port.    
     
     
         2 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the external force is generated by an selectively controlled actuator.  
     
     
         3 . The manifold of  claim 2 , wherein the actuator is a pinch valve.  
     
     
         4 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold body comprises a flexible material.  
     
     
         5 . The manifold of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible material is thermoplastic.  
     
     
         6 . The manifold of  claim 5 , wherein the manifold body comprises two sheets of thermoplastic material that are bonded together to form the passageway therein.  
     
     
         7 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold body is a flexible bag.  
     
     
         8 . The manifold of  claim 7 , wherein the passageway is closed with one or more valves that pinch the passageway.  
     
     
         9 . The manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold is a single-use manifold and is discarded after use.  
     
     
         10 . The manifold of  claim 1 , further comprising connector fittings attached to the inlet and outlet ports, the connector fittings adapted to be connected to either fluid supply lumens in the medical device or to a source of fluid.  
     
     
         11 . The manifold of  claim 1 , further comprising a second outlet port connected in fluid communication with the first inlet port by a second passageway.  
     
     
         12 . The manifold of  claim 11 , wherein a section of the second passageway is configured for selective closure upon the application of external force on the section.  
     
     
         13 . The manifold of  claim 1 , further comprising a second outlet port and a second inlet port, the second inlet port being connected in fluid communication with the second outlet port by a second passageway.  
     
     
         14 . A manifold for distributing fluid to a medical device, comprising: 
 a flexible manifold body defining a plurality of passageways extending therethrough, one end of each passageway being adapted to be connected to a source of fluid and the other end of each passageway being adapted to be connected to fluid lumens of the medical device;    wherein a portion of at least one of the passageways is configured to interrupt the passage of fluid upon external pressure applied thereto and further configured to permit the passage of fluid upon removal of external pressure thereto.    
     
     
         15 . A manifold for distributing fluid to a medical device, comprising: 
 a flexible manifold body defining a plurality of passageways extending therethrough, one end of the passageways being adapted to be connected to a source of fluid and the other end of the passageways being adapted to be connected to fluid lumens of the medical device; and    one or more selectively controlled valves disposed adjacent to the passageways, the valves being fluidly isolated from the passageway, the valves being capable of exerting and removing pressure against the passageways;    wherein a portion of at least one of the passageways is configured to interrupt the passage of fluid upon external pressure applied thereto by actuation of the one or more valves and further configured to permit the passage of fluid upon removal of external pressure applied thereto by actuation of the one or more valves.    
     
     
         16 . The manifold of  claim 15 , wherein the valves are pinch valves.