Endoscope insertion cannula assembly

Claim 1

An assembly for permitting an endoscope instrument element (22) to be inserted through a cannula element (18) into the body in known orientation and for locking said cannula element (18) and said endoscope element (12) in that known orientation during use comprising: means cooperatively associated with said endoscopy instrument element (22) and with said cannula element (18) for controlling the rotational orientation and axial position of one element with respect to the other, said cooperative means including: a protrusion (30) from one (18) of said cooperating elements (22; 18); a guide surface (28) on said other element (24) for operatively engaging said protrusion (30) to control the rotational orientation of said protrusion (30); spring biased locking means (32) for restraining the protrusion (30) in a desired axial position, said locking means including a cam surface (34) which moves against said protrusion (30) as said endoscope element (22) is inserted into said cannula element (18) said cam surface (34) adapted to move out of the way as said endoscope element (22) moves into said cannula element (18) and then to return toward its original position as said protrusion (30) reaches its desired axial position; whereby said instrument element (22) is positioned in its desired rotational orientation and axial position during use.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claims 1 or 2 wherein said protrusion includes a pin (30) projecting from the inside of said cannula element (18) and said endoscope instrument element includes a generally cylindrical adapter (22) having a distal end projecting into said cannula (18) and a proximal end extending outside of said cannula (18), the proximal end of said adapter (22) adapted to receive an endoscope telescope (12), said adapter (22) having an axial opening extending entirely therethrough for receiving an endoscope telescope (12), the proximal end of said adapter (22) including sealing. means (66) cooperating with the interior walls (48) of said cannula element (18) for providing a tight liquid seal between the interior of said cannula (18) and the exterior of said adapter (22); said endoscope instrument element further including a guide means (24) disposed about the periphery of said adapter (22) and affixed thereto and having a proximal end disposed at an angle to the axis of said adapter (22) and defining a surface (28) for engaging said protrusion (30), said guide means (24) further including an axially extending slot (25) extending from the proximal portion of said angled distal surface (28).

Claim 5

The apparatus of one of the claims 1 to 3 wherein said spring biased locking means affixed to said adapter (22) and extending proximally therealong and aligned in the slot (25) of said guide means (24) includes a strip of spring material (32); and extending radially outwardly from the axis of said adapter (22) as one moves from the distal toward the proximal end of said adapter (22), said spring strip (32) presenting a cam surface (34) to said protrusion (30); said spring (32) having a hole (36) therethrough for receiving said protrusion (30), the interaction of said protrusion (30) and said hole (36) defining the axial position of said endoscopy instrument element (22) with respect to said cannula element (18).