US 11,723,521 B2
Attachable ergonomic bidirectional self-locking knob-control assisting apparatus for an endoscope
Vincent Ma Sciortino, Merrick, NY (US); Kevin Ly Chang, Charlottesville, VA (US); and Vikram Seshadri, Ashburn, VA (US)
Assigned to SergoMED LLC, Ashburn, VA (US)
Filed by SergoMED LLC, Ashburn, VA (US)
Filed on Jun. 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/304,377.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/042,053, filed on Jun. 22, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0393115 A1, Dec. 23, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 1/005 (2006.01); A61B 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 1/0052 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00042 (2022.02); A61B 1/00131 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An endoscope assembly, comprising:
an endoscope, comprising:
an up/down angulation control knob; and,
a left/right angulation control knob; and,
an ergonomic attachment apparatus kit for mechanically assisting operation of the endoscope angulation control knobs, said kit comprising:
(a1) a first knob mask mounted onto or around the endoscope angulation control knobs and configured to mate with the up/down angulation control knob of the endoscope and to rotate in unison with the up/down angulation control knob when turned, the first mask, further comprising:
A at least one tooth-like protrusion around the circumference of the first knob mask for communication with a self-locking mechanism assembly, and
B at least one finger grip interface for turning the knob mask;
(a2) a second mask mounted onto or around the endoscope angulation control knobs and configured to mate with the left/right angulation control knob of the endoscope and rotate in unison with the left/right angulation control knob when turned, the second mask, further comprising:
A at least one tooth-like protrusion around the circumference of the second knob mask for communication with the self-locking mechanism assembly, and
B at least one finger grip interface for turning the knob mask;
wherein the first and second masks are expandable to fit around the angulation control knobs of the endoscope; and,
the first and second masks extend the diameter of which the operator can interact about a central axis of rotation around an endoscope angulation control knob;
(b) the self-locking mechanism assembly, comprising: at least one detent member that is configured to engage with the at least one tooth-like protrusion of each knob mask to lock the endoscope angulation control knob position in place;
(c) one or more toggles that provide engagement with the at least one detent member, by engaging or disengaging communication between the at least one detent member and the at least one tooth-like protrusion of each knob mask, allowing control over the bidirectional rotation and locking of the corresponding endoscope angulation control knob; and
(d) an attachment device, comprising: at least one fastener configured to releasably secure the apparatus kit to the endoscope.