Structure for probe insertion

Abstract

An insert structure is proposed for insertion into an orifice, a canal, a tube and the like of a human or animal creature such as an ear canal, an intestinal tract, a gullet, etc. The insert structure comprises at least one longitudinally extending insert member ( 3 ) and a plurality of at least nearly perpendicularly extending further members ( 5, 7, 9 ), placed longitudinally at a distance to each other along the insert member, the further members ( 5, 7, 9 ) being at least of a flexible and/or soft material.

1 . Insert structure for insertion into an orifice, a canal, a tube and the like of a human or animal creature such as an ear canal, an intestinal tract, a gullet, etc. comprising at least one longitudinally extending insert member ( 3 ) and a plurality of at least nearly perpendicularly extending further members ( 5 ,  7 ,  9 ) placed longitudinally at a distance to each other along the insert member, the further members ( 5 ,  7 ,  9 ) being at least of a flexible and/or soft material.  
     
     
         2 . Insert structure according to  claim 1 , the insert member ( 3 ) being a rod- or tube-like flexible member.  
     
     
         3 . Insert structure according to one of the claims  1  or  2 , the insert member being a tube-like member open at least on one end, such that the tube-like member acts as a guidance or supporting structure for a sensor, a viewing probe, a scanning probe, etc. being inserted into the orifice, the canal, the tube through the tube-like insert member.  
     
     
         4 . Insert structure according to one of the  claims 1  to  3 , the tube-like member being transparent such that scanning, viewing, visual scanning by video, etc. through the tube wall is possible.  
     
     
         5 . Insert structure according to one of the  claims 1  to  4 , the at least nearly perpendicularly extending further members ( 5 ,  7 ,  9 ) are arranged at approx. equal distances along the insert member.  
     
     
         6 . Insert structure according to one of the  claims 1  to  5 , characterized in that at the insert member indicators are arranged for insertion depth control and/or that the further members ( 5 ,  7 ,  9 ) are labeled or marked such that an insertion depth control is possible.  
     
     
         7 . Insert structure according to one of the  claims 1  to  6 , characterized in that the further members are disk-like flexible and/or soft members keeping the insert member at a distance from the internal wall of the orifice, the canal, the tube such as e.g. the ear canal wall.  
     
     
         8 . Insert structure according to one of the  claims 1  to  7 , characterized in that the further members consist of an elastomeric and/or rubber-like or foam-like polymeric material.  
     
     
         9 . Insert structure according to one of the  claims 1  to  8 , characterized in that over the outside surface of the insert structure a membrane-like, preferably highly flexible envelope is arranged, e.g. provided with a pattern like structure for allowing e.g. optical scanning.  
     
     
         10 . Method for introducing a sensor, a scanning probe, a video scanning device, etc. into an orifice, a canal, a tube, etc. or a human or animal body, characterized in that the sensor or probe is inserted via a tube-like insert member of an insert structure according to one of the  claims 1  to  9 .  
     
     
         11 . Method according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the sensor or probe is inserted along the tube-like insert member until it reaches the front end or a defined position relative to the front end of the tube-like insert member and that the sensor or probe is moved within the orifice, canal or tube of the animal or human body by moving the insert structure and/or by moving the sensor or probe respectively along the tube-like insert member.  
     
     
         12 . Use of the insert structure according to one of the  claims 1  to  9  for scanning the structure of an ear canal of a human or animal creature.  
     
     
         13 . Use of the insert structure according to one of the  claims 1  to  9  for the introduction of a cannula or catheter respectively into an intestinal tract, a gullet and the like of a human or animal creature.