Fluid delivery system for use with an endoscope

Abstract

A fluid delivery system for use with an endoscope. Certain embodiments of the invention include a single, large fluid source and pump installed upon an operator console, in combination with a small fluid reservoir and pump installed within a proximal connector of the imaging endoscope, multiple fluid sources that feed a common fluid channel that are pressurized by a common pump, multiple fluid sources that feed dedicated fluid channels that are pressurized by dedicated pumps, and a small fluid reservoir and pump installed within a handheld manual controller of the imaging endoscope. The fluid delivery endoscopic systems of the present invention provide the user with the flexibility of changing fluids either in advance of a procedure or on-the-fly as needed, instead of relying on fixed fluid sources only.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A manifold for fluidly connecting a lumen in an endoscope to a fluid source, the manifold comprising:
 a passage configured to retain liquid under pressure for delivery to a lumen in an endoscope;   a port fluidly connected to the passage;   a valve configured to fluidly connect the port to the fluid source, wherein the valve is movable via an actuator; and   a flexible tubing configured to receive fluid from the fluid source and deliver fluid under pressure to the passage.   
     
     
         33 . The manifold of  claim 32 , wherein the flexible tubing includes a first end and a second end, each of the first end and the second end being connected to a housing of the manifold. 
     
     
         34 . The manifold of  claim 33 , wherein the flexible tubing is configured to mate with a pump configured to pressurize fluid in the flexible tubing. 
     
     
         35 . The manifold of  claim 32 , wherein the passage is fluidly connected to a cooling port, the cooling port configured to be continually open and supply liquid to the endoscope. 
     
     
         36 . The manifold of  claim 32 , wherein the manifold is connected to a proximal connector of the endoscope. 
     
     
         37 . The manifold of  claim 36 , wherein the passage is fluidly connected to the lumen in the endoscope via a tube disposed within the proximal connector. 
     
     
         38 . The manifold of  claim 37 , wherein the proximal connector includes at least two fluid connections, the at least two fluid connections configured to mate with the fluid source. 
     
     
         39 . The manifold of  claim 38 , wherein each of the at least two fluid connections includes a retaining detent configured to engage a cooperating member on the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         40 . The manifold of  claim 32 , wherein the actuator is remote from the endoscope. 
     
     
         41 . An endoscope, comprising:
 a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therein; and   a connector at the proximal end of the shaft for connecting the proximal end of the shaft to a fluid reservoir, the connector comprising:
 a manifold having a passage configured to retain liquid under pressure, the passage including:
 a selectively closeable port fluidly connected to the lumen in the shaft to receive fluid from the fluid reservoir, wherein the selectively closeable port is associated with a valve configured to selectively connect the lumen to the liquid under pressure retained by the passage; and 
 an open port configured to continually deliver liquid from the passage to the shaft; 
 
   wherein the manifold further includes a receiving port configured to continually receive liquid from the shaft and supply the liquid to the fluid reservoir.   
     
     
         42 . The endoscope of  claim 41 , wherein the connector includes a flexible tubing configured to receive fluid from the fluid reservoir and deliver fluid to the passage. 
     
     
         43 . The endoscope of  claim 42 , wherein the flexible tubing includes a first end and a second end secured to the connector. 
     
     
         44 . The endoscope of  claim 43 , wherein the flexible tubing is configured to mate with a pump that pressurizes fluid in the flexible tubing. 
     
     
         45 . The endoscope of  claim 42 , wherein the passage includes a high pressure bypass valve that opens to relieve pressure in the passage. 
     
     
         46 . The endoscope of  claim 41 , wherein the connector includes a bolus wash bypass valve configured to divert liquid from the passage away from a working channel lumen of the endoscope if the working channel is not open. 
     
     
         47 . The endoscope of  claim 41 , wherein the passage includes a four-way port configured to connect a working channel of the endoscope, a bolus wash port on the passage, a bolus wash bypass port, and a vacuum port. 
     
     
         48 . An endoscope, comprising:
 a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therein; and   a connector at the proximal end of the shaft for connecting the proximal end of the shaft to a fluid reservoir, the connector comprising:
 a manifold having a passage configured to retain liquid under pressure, the passage including a selectively closeable port fluidly connected to the lumen in the shaft to receive fluid from the fluid reservoir, wherein the selectively closeable port is associated with a valve configured to selectively connect the lumen to the liquid under pressure retained by the passage; and 
   a flexible tubing configured to receive fluid from the fluid reservoir and deliver fluid to the passage.   
     
     
         49 . The endoscope of  claim 48 , wherein the flexible tubing includes a first end and a second end secured to the connector. 
     
     
         50 . The endoscope of  claim 49 , wherein the flexible tubing is configured to mate with a pump that pressurizes fluid in the flexible tubing. 
     
     
         51 . The endoscope of  claim 48 , wherein the passage includes a high pressure bypass valve that opens to relieve pressure in the passage.