FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 OF1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[SEE SECTION 10, RULE 13]
A CONTROL MECHANISM FOR ENDOSCOPE
BENDING SECTION
BIORAD MEDISYS PRIVATE LIMITED
AN INDIAN COMPANY HAVING OFFICE ADDRESS AT
Survey No. 48, 3 & 48 7, Pashan - Sus Rd, Sus, Pune,
Maharashtra 411021

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE
INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

2
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of medical devices.
More particularly, the invention relates to an endoscope device that can be
used for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures having a bending portion
provided on a distal end side of an insertion portion of the device using a
5 bending operation unit.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Endoscopes are medical devices that allow physicians to examine and
treat various body cavities and organs, such as the gastrointestinal tract, the
10 respiratory tract, and the urinary tract. Endoscopes typically consist of three
parts: a control section, an insertion section, and a connector section. The
control section is held by the physician and contains the controls for
manipulating the endoscope, such as angulation knobs, suction valves, and
biopsy forceps. The insertion section is the flexible part that is inserted into the
15 body and contains a camera, a light source, and channels for irrigation,
suction, and accessories. The connector section connects the endoscope to
external devices, such as a video system.
[0003] One of the challenges in endoscopy is to control and navigate the
bending portion at the distal end of the catheter through the complex and
20 tortuous anatomy of the body cavities and organs to achieve optimal
visualization and access to the target area. Conventional endoscope devices
use dial controls or knobs or joystick on the handle portion to manipulate the
bending portion. The angulation knobs are connected to wires that run
through the insertion section and pull or release the bending section
25 accordingly. However, this conventional method of bending has several
limitations and drawbacks such as the knobs are not intuitive and ergonomic.
The angulation knobs require precise coordination and fine motor skills to

achieve the desired bending angle and direction, which can be challenging for
novice or inexperienced endoscopists. Moreover, these controls have limited
range of motion and do not allow for precise and smooth articulation of the
bending portion to navigate through curved or branched lumens.
5 [0004] To overcome these limitations and drawbacks, some alternative
methods of bending have been proposed in the prior art, such as using a
controller or a lever or a joystick to bend the bending section of the endoscope.
These methods aim to provide more intuitive, ergonomic, and versatile ways
of manipulating the endoscope. However, these methods also have some
10 problems and disadvantages.
[0005] There is, therefore, a need for an improved endoscope device that can
provide better maneuverability to bend the bending section that can address
these problems and disadvantages. This invention is therefore directed
towards providing an improved endoscopic bending operation unit, which is
15 relatively simple in design and structure, and is highly effective for its
intended purpose.
SUMMARY
[0006] Embodiment of the present disclosure present technological
improvements as solutions to one or more of the above-mentioned technical
20 problems recognized by the inventor(s) in conventional systems.
[0007] The present invention is related to a control mechanism for endoscope
bending section. The control mechanism for endoscope bending section
comprises a body and a catheter. The body comprises a bottom part and the
top part. The bottom part is fixed in the body. The bottom part comprise a
25 plurality of holes provided equidistantly at periphery of the bottom part. The
top part coupled to the bottom part via a universal joint. The top part is free
to rotate around the universal joint. The top part comprises a spider, a cup
and control lever. The plurality of steering wires are coupled equidistantly at
4
the periphery of spider. The plurality of steering wire are passed through the
plurality of holes. The cup is hollow hemispherical structure disposed on the
spider. The control lever is coupled to the cup. The control lever is configured
to rotate the top part around universal joint. The body comprise a catheter
5 coupled at one end of the body. The other end of the catheter comprises a
distal end. The plurality of the steering wires are passed through the catheter
and coupled to the distal end. During operation, a motion of the control lever
articulates a bending portion at the distal end.
[0008] The embodiments of the present disclosure provides an endoscope
10 device that comprises a handle portion, a joystick-like control lever, and a
catheter. The control lever allows the user to manipulate the bending portion
at the distal end of the catheter in 360 degrees. The control lever acts as a torque
multiplier and controls the distal tip of the catheter by applying differential
pull on multiple steering wires. The device has 3 wires to control the distal tip
15 in hemispherical range of motion. The device provides improved
maneuverability and visibility for the user.
[0009]It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are
susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing
from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the detailed description
20 and drawings below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of
illustrative embodiment, is better understood when read in conjunction with
25 the appended drawings. For illustrating the present disclosure, example
constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the
present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities

disclosed herein. Moreover, those in art will understand that the drawings are
not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical
numbers.
[0011] Embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of
5 example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
[0012] Fig 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cholangioscope device in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013] Fig. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a cholangioscope device in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
10 [0014] Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of bending section of a
cholangioscope device in accordance with exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0015] Fig. 4(a) and 4(b) illustrates a sectional view of a cholangioscope device
in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
15 [0016] Fig. 5(a) and 5(b) illustrates a sectional view of a cholangioscope device
in unlock and lock position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0017]In the above accompanying drawings, a number relates to an item
identified by a line linking the number to the item. When a number is
20 accompanied by an associated arrow, the number is used to identify a general
item at which the arrow is pointing.
[0018] Further the figures depict various embodiment of the present subject
matter for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily
recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiment of the
25 structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without
departing from the principles of the present subject matter described herein.
6
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The following detailed description illustrates embodiment of the
present disclosure and manners by which they can be implemented. The
words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms
5 thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that
an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an
exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the
listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural
10 references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0020] As used herein, the term "proximal" refers to the end of a device that
when in use is held by a user or to the end of an elongate device that is nearest
a user when in use, and the term "distal" refers to the end of the device.
[0021] The person skilled in the art will recognize many variations,
15 alternatives, and modifications of the embodiment of the present disclosure. It
should be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular
methodology, protocols, and the like, described herein and as such may vary.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiment only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present
20 invention, which is defined solely by the claims. Various modifications,
however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the
generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein
specifically to provide a cholangioscope device with a joystick-like control
lever for the articulation of the bending portion at the distal end of the catheter.
25 [0001] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other
embodiments. For example, although the present disclosure will be described
in the context of control mechanism for endoscopic bending section, one of

ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that an apparatus can be used at
the time of ureteroscopy or arthroscopy. Thus, the present disclosure is not
intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated but is to be accorded the
widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
5 [0022] The present disclosure provides technical solutions to the technical
problems identified in the prior art. In the prior art, conventional endoscope
devices use dial controls or knobs or joystick on the handle portion to
manipulate the bending portion. The angulation knobs are connected to wires
that run through the insertion section and pull or release the bending section
10 accordingly. However, this conventional method of bending has several
limitations and drawbacks such as the knobs are not intuitive and ergonomic.
The angulation knobs require precise coordination and fine motor skills to
achieve the desired bending angle and direction, which can be challenging for
novice or inexperienced endoscopists. Moreover, these controls have limited
15 range of motion and do not allow for precise and smooth articulation of the
bending portion to navigate through curved or branched lumens.
[0023] The present invention is related to a control mechanism for endoscopic
bending section. The control mechanism for endoscope bending section
comprises a body and a catheter. The body comprises a bottom part and the
20 top part. The bottom part is fixed in the body. The bottom part comprise a
plurality of holes provided equidistantly at periphery of the bottom part. The
top part coupled to the bottom part via an universal joint. The universal joint
is configured to provide rotation to the top part around two axes. The top part
is free to rotate around the universal joint. The top part comprises lock lever.
25 The lock lever is configured to lock the position of the top part with the body
using friction locking.
[0024] The top part comprises a spider, a cup and control lever. The plurality
of steering wires are coupled equidistantly at the periphery of spider. The
plurality of steering wires are passed through the plurality of holes. The cup
8
is hollow hemispherical structure disposed on the spider. The control lever is
coupled to the cup. The control lever is configured to rotate the top part
around universal joint. The spider comprises threaded portion at one end. The
control lever is coupled with top part using a threaded portion.
5 [0025] The body comprise a catheter coupled at one end of the body. The
catheter is a hollow tubelike structure. The catheter comprises rigid structure
and flexible structure. The flexible structure is configured to articulate. The
other end of the catheter comprises a distal end. The plurality of the steering
wires are passed through the catheter and coupled to the distal end. During
10 operation, a motion of the control lever articulates a bending portion at the
distal end.
[0026] A plurality of guides are coupled inside of the body. The plurality of
guides are configured to guide the plurality of steering wires for articulation
once the control lever is moved by the physician.
15 [0027] The body further comprises an instrument channel, a suction connector,
an irrigation connector. The distal end of the catheter comprises channel port,
a plurality of steering wire, camera and LED port.
[0002] The present invention provides a control lever on the handle of
endoscope that is easy to operate with one hand and provides intuitive control
20 over the bending angle and direction of the bending section.
[0003] The present invention provides a control lever on the handle of
endoscope that has a wide range of motion and can bend the bending section
in multiple dimensions (up-down, left-right, and forward-backward), which
can enable more flexible navigation through complex anatomy.
25 [0004] The present invention provides a control lever on the handle of
endoscope that allows for locking or maintaining the bending angle or
direction of the bending section, which can prevent unwanted movement or
slippage of the endoscope during insertion or withdrawal

[0005] The present invention comprises plurality of steering wires for
articulation of the endoscope tip. The plurality of the steering wire require less
space in the catheter tube and decreases overall costing of the product.
[0006]It should be noted that the above advantages and other advantages will
5 be better evident in the subsequent description. Further, in the subsequent
section, the present subject is better explained with reference to the figures. In
order to maintain consistency and brevity of reading, the all the figures from
1, 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b are explained jointly. Further, the following table lists
of nomenclature and numberings are used in the figure to illustrate the
10 invention and the nomenclature is further used to describe in the invention the
subsequent paragraph.
Nomenclature Number Nomenclature Number
cholangioscope
device 100 bottom part 208
body 102 Top part 210
catheter 104 spider 216
distal tip 106 Plurality of hole 212
bending portion 108 Plurality of steering
wires 214
instrument channel
opening 110 instruments channel port 302
control lever 112 LED port 304
lock lever 114 suction connector 402
cup 202 irrigation connector 404
universal joint 204 articulation lever cap 406
Threaded portion 206 guides 408
Lower steering
wires 214-2,214-3
Upper steering wire 214-1
[0007] Referring now to the drawings, Figures. 1-5 illustrates cholangioscope
device 100 with a joystick lever having multiple steering wires. It should be
15 noted that Figure 1-5 are merely examples. A person skilled in the art will
10
recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications of the
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0008] Referring now to the drawings, figure 1, an embodiment of the
cholangioscope device 100 according to the present invention is shown. The
5 device comprises a handle body 102, a catheter 104 having a distal tip 106 on
a bending portion 108 of the catheter 104, an instrument channel opening 110,
a joystick like control lever 112 to articulate bending portion 108, and a lock
lever 114 to lock the bending portion 108. The handle body 102 is adapted to
be held by the user’s hand and provides a comfortable grip. The handle body
10 102 may also include one or more buttons or switches (not shown) that can
activate or deactivate various functions or modes of operation of the device,
such as illumination, image capture, video recording, or irrigation. The
joystick-like control lever 112 is mounted on the handle body 102 and is
movable in multiple direction that allows the user to manipulate the bending
15 portion 108 at the distal end of the catheter 104 in 360 degrees. The control
lever 114 acts as a torque multiplier and controls the distal tip 106 of the
catheter 104 by applying differential pull on multiple steering wires.
[0009] The body comprise a catheter (104) coupled at one end of the body
(102). The catheter (104) is a hollow tubelike structure. The catheter (104)
20 comprises rigid structure and flexible structure. The flexible structure is
configured to articulate. The other end of the catheter (104) comprises a distal
end (106). The plurality of the steering wires (214) are passed through the
catheter (104) and coupled to the distal end (106). During operation, a motion
of the control lever (112) articulates a bending portion 108 at the distal end
25 (106).
[0010] Figure 2 Illustrates the exploded view of the steering wires joystick
assembly. The control mechanism for endoscope bending section comprises a
body 102 and a catheter 104. The body 102 comprises a bottom part 208 and

The top part 210. The bottom part 208 is fixed in the body 102. The bottom part
208 comprise a plurality of holes 212 provided equidistantly at periphery of
the bottom part 208. The top part 210 coupled to the bottom part 208 via a
universal joint 204. The universal joint 204 is configured to provide rotation to
5 the top part 210 around two axes. The top part 210 is free to rotate around the
universal joint 204. The top part 210 comprises lock lever 114. The lock lever
114 is configured to lock the position of the top part 210 with the body using
friction locking.
[0011] The top part 210 comprises a spider 216, a cup 202 and control lever
10 112. The plurality of steering wires 214 are coupled equidistantly at the
periphery of spider 216. The plurality of steering wires 214 are passed through
the plurality of holes 212. The cup 202 is hollow hemispherical structure
disposed on the spider 216. The control lever 112 is coupled to the cup 202.
The control lever 112 is configured to rotate the top part 210 around universal
15 joint 204. The spider 216 comprises threaded portion 206 at one end. The
control lever 112 is coupled with top part 210 using a threaded portion 206.
[0012] The handle portion 102 comprises the control lever 112 that can be
controlled with thumb or finger tips. The control lever 112 is placed on a
universal coupling 204 that is used for the purpose of constraining the control
20 lever 112 and allowing it to rotate only in two axes. This arrangement allows
spherical movement of the control lever 112 and restricts twisting. The cup
shaped control lever 112 aids in friction locking the control lever 112 at desired
position. The base plate 208 provides a center for rotation of the control lever
112 and also acts like anchor points for steering wires 214. The steering wires
25 214 are carried through the catheter tubing 104 and attached to the distal tip
106.
[0013] Fig 3 illustrates the enlarged view of the plurality of steering wire 214
catheter distal tip 106. The distal tip 106 comprises of instruments channel port
302, a plurality of steering wires 214 and a camera and LED port 304.
12
[0014] Fig 4(a) and 4(b) illustrates sectional view of wire joystick controller
cholangioscope device 100. As can be seen in fig 4(a), the cholangioscope
device 100 comprises an instrument channel 110, a suction connector 402, an
irrigation connector 404, a joystick assembly having an articulation lever cap
5 406.
[0015] A plurality of guides 408 are coupled inside of the body 102. The
plurality of guides 408 are configured to guide the plurality of steering wires
214 for articulation once the control lever 112 is moved by the physician. The
device comprises of a plurality of guides 408 that are configured to guide the
10 steering wires for articulation when the control lever is moved by the
physician.
[0016] The body 102 further comprises an instrument channel 110, a suction
connector 402, an irrigation connector 404. The distal end 106 of the catheter
104 comprises channel port 302, a plurality of steering wire 214, camera 304
15 and LED port 306.
[0017] The device may have three steering wires that are arranged in a
triangular configuration inside the catheter. The steering wires are connected
to the control lever at one end and to the bending portion 108 at the other end.
The control lever can move in four directions: up, down, left, and right. The
20 movement of the control lever causes differential pull on the steering wires
and results in corresponding bending of the bending portion 108. When the
control lever is moved up, the upper steering wire is pulled more than the
lower steering wires 214-2 and 214-3, causing the bending portion 108 to bend
upward. Similarly, when the control lever is moved down, the lower steering
25 wires 214-2 and 214-3 are pulled more than the upper steering wire 214-1,
causing the bending portion 108 to bend downward. When the control lever
112 is moved left, the left steering wire 214-2 is pulled more than the right
steering wire 214-3, causing the bending portion 108 to bend left. When the

control lever is moved right, the right steering wire 214-3 is pulled more than
the left steering wire 214-2, causing the bending portion 108 to bend right. The
control lever 112 can also move in diagonal directions, such as up-left, upright, down-left, and down-right, causing corresponding diagonal bending of
5 the bending portion 108. The control lever 112 can also move in circular or
elliptical motions, causing corresponding circular or elliptical bending of the
bending portion 108. The amount of pull on each steering wire 118 can be
adjusted by varying the angle and distance of movement of the control lever
112.
10 [0018] Fig 5(a) and 5(b) illustrated sectional view of three wire endoscope
device in the lock and unlock position. The control lever may be locked in a
desired position to maintain a desired bending angle of the bending portion
108.
[0019] Fig. 1-5 are merely examples. A person skilled in the art will recognize
15 many variations, alternatives, and modifications of the embodiment of the
present disclosure. The joystick assembly is not limited to cholangioscope but
may be used for more endoscopic devices like ureteroscope, arthroscope or the
like.
[0020] While a particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and
20 described, modifications thereof will readily occur to those skilled in the art. It
is understood that the various embodiment, details and constructions of the
Hemispherical Range of Motion Joystick controlled Endoscope and their
features described above and illustrated in the attached figures may be
interchanged among the various embodiment while remaining within the
25 scope of the invention. Additionally, it is understood that various
modifications could be made to any of the elements described herein above
while remaining within the scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A control mechanism for endoscope bending section comprises:
a body (102), wherein the body (102) comprises:
a bottom part (208), wherein the bottom part (208) is fixed in the
body (102), wherein the bottom part (208) comprises a plurality of holes
(212) positioned equidistantly along the periphery of the bottom part
(208);
a top part, wherein the top part (210) is coupled to the bottom part
(208) via a universal joint (204), wherein the top part (210) is free to
rotate around the universal joint (204), wherein the top part (210)
comprises:
a spider (216), wherein a plurality of steering wires (214)
are coupled equidistantly at the periphery of the spider (216)
and passed through the plurality of holes (212) in the bottom
part (208);
a cup (202), wherein the cup (202) is a hollow
hemispherical structure disposed on the spider (216);
a control lever (112), wherein the control lever (112) is
coupled to the cup (202);
a catheter (104), wherein an one end of the catheter (104) is coupled to
the body (102), wherein the other end of the catheter (104) comprises a
distal end (106), wherein the plurality of the steering wires (214) are passed
through the catheter (104) and coupled to the distal end (106); and
wherein during operation, a motion of the control lever (112) articulates
a bending portion (108).

2. The control mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top part (210)
comprises lock lever (114), wherein the lock lever (114) is configured to lock
the position of the top part (210) with the body using friction locking.

3. The control mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the catheter (104) is a
hollow tubelike structure, wherein the catheter (104) comprising a rigid
structure and a flexible structure, wherein the flexible structure is configured
to articulate.

4. The control mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of guides
(408) are coupled inside the body (102), wherein the plurality of guides (408)
are configured to guide the plurality of steering wires (214) for articulation
when the control lever (112) is moved by the physician.

5. The control mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spider (216)
comprises a threaded portion at one end, wherein the control lever (112) is
coupled with top part (210) using the threaded portion (206).

6. The control mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body (102) further
comprises an instrument channel (110), a suction connector (402), an irrigation
connector (404).

7. The control mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control lever (112)
articulates the bending portion (108) by differentially pulling plurality of
steering wires (214).

8. The control mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of steering
wires ranges between two steering wires to six steering wires (214).

9. The control mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control lever (112)
can move in multiple directions including up, down, left, right and diagonal
directions, enabling the bending portion to navigate complex anatomies
flexibly.

10. The control mechanism as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mechanism
to lock the control lever (112) in a desired portion to maintain a desired
bending angle of the bending portion (108), preventing unwanted movements
during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

Dated this on,
7th Day of August, 2024