Handle for Multifunction Endoscope

Abstract

A multifunction endoscope handle comprises a body cover, a first body cover extension and a second body cover extension. The body cover comprises distal and proximal ends with a waist of therebetween. The proximal and distal end circumferences part each larger than the waist circumference. The body cover also comprises an outer surface tapering from the distal and proximal ends to the waist. Both of the first and second body cover extensions extend radially outwardly directions from the outer surface of the body cover. In some embodiments the proximal circumference is larger than the distal circumference. The outer surface is preferably a smoothly tapering outer surface. The body cover may comprise a plurality of ports at a proximal portion thereof.

1 . A handle for a multifunction endoscope comprising:
 a body cover comprising:
 distal and proximal ends with an axis extending therebetween; 
 a waist between the distal and proximal ends; 
 the distal and proximal ends and the waist having distal and proximal circumferences and a waist circumference, respectively; 
 the proximal circumference being larger than the waist circumference and the distal circumference being larger than the waist circumference; and 
 an outer surface, the outer surface tapering from the distal end to the waist and from the proximal end to the waist; 
   a first body cover extension extending in a first radial direction from the outer surface of the body cover between the proximal end and the waist; and   a second body cover extension extending in a second radial direction from the outer surface of the body cover between the proximal end and the waist.   
     
     
         2 . The handle according to  claim 1  wherein the proximal circumference is larger than the distal circumference. 
     
     
         3 . The handle according to  claim 1  wherein the outer surface is a smoothly tapering outer surface. 
     
     
         4 . The handle according to  claim 1  wherein the distance between the distal and proximal ends is 8 to 15 cm. 
     
     
         5 . The handle according to  claim 1  wherein the distance between the distal and proximal ends is 9 to 12 cm. 
     
     
         6 . The handle according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second body cover extensions comprise forward-facing surfaces, said outer surface and said forward facing surfaces creating a smoothly curving user-grasping surface. 
     
     
         7 . The handle according to  claim 1  wherein the second radial direction extends both radially outwardly away from the axis and axially towards the distal end. 
     
     
         8 . The handle according to  claim 1  wherein the body cover comprises a proximal portion, the proximal portion comprising a plurality of ports. 
     
     
         9 . The handle according to  claim 1  further comprising a first port at the first body cover extension, a second port at the second body cover extension and a third port at the proximal end and along the axis. 
     
     
         10 . The handle according to  claim 9  further comprising an illumination fitting at the first port, an optical fiber fitting at the second port and a camera fitting at the third port. 
     
     
         11 . The handle according to  claim 10  further comprising a valve at the second body extension associated with the second port. 
     
     
         12 . The handle according to  claim 1  further comprising a second body cover positioned distally of the distal end of the body cover. 
     
     
         13 . The handle according to  claim 12  farther comprising fourth and fifth ports in the second body cover. 
     
     
         14 . The handle according to  claim 13  for the comprising an inflow fitting at the fourth port and an outflow fitting at the fifth port. 
     
     
         15 . The handle according to  claim 12  further comprising a coupler between the second body cover and the body cover. 
     
     
         16 . A multifunction endoscope comprising:
 a handle made according to  claim 1 ;   an external cannula extending from the handle;   a port at the second body cover extension;   an optical fiber extending through the handle and external cannula with a proximal portion of the optical fiber extending proximally from the port;   a user-manipulable knob mounted to the proximal portion of the optical fiber, so that a user may grasp the body cover of the handle with one hand and manipulate the optical fiber through the user-manipulable knob with the other hand.   
     
     
         17 . A method for manipulating an endoscope comprising:
 selecting an endoscope comprising a handle made according to  claim 1 , an external cannula extending from the handle, and an optical fiber extending through the handle and through the external cannula with a proximal portion of the optical fiber extending proximally from a port at the second body cover extension;   grasping the body cover of the handle with a first hand using a chosen gripping technique;   grasping a user-manipulable knob mounted to the proximal portion of the optical fiber with a second hand; and   selectively moving the optical fiber within the external cannula by at least one of rotating the optical fiber around its own axis and longitudinally sliding the optical fiber through the external cannula using the user-manipulable knob.   
     
     
         18 . A handle for a multifunction endoscope comprising:
 a body cover comprising:
 distal and proximal ends with an axis extending therebetween; 
 a waist between the distal and proximal ends; 
 the distal and proximal ends and the waist having distal and proximal circumferences and a waist circumference, respectively; 
 the proximal circumference being larger than the distal circumference and the distal circumference being larger than the waist circumference; and 
 an outer surface, the outer surface smoothly tapering from the distal end to the waist and from the proximal end to the waist; 
   a first body cover extension extending in a first radial direction from the outer surface of the body cover between the proximal end and the waist;   a second body cover extension extending in a second radial direction from the outer surface of the body cover between the proximal end and the waist;   the first and second body cover extensions comprising forward-facing surfaces, said outer surface and said forward facing surfaces creating a smoothly curving user-grasping surface;   a first port at the first body cover extension, a second port at the second body cover extension and a third port at the proximal end and along the axis;   a second body cover positioned distally of the distal end of the body cover;   fourth and fifth ports at the second body cover.   
     
     
         19 . The handle according to  claim 18  wherein the second radial direction extends both radially outwardly away from the axis and axially towards the distal end, 
     
     
         20 . The handle according to  claim 18  further comprising:
 an illumination fitting at the first port;   an optical fiber fitting at the second port;   a camera fitting at the third port;   a valve at the second body extension associated with the second port;   an inflow fitting at the fourth port; and   an outflow fitting at the fifth port.