Fully integrated, disposable tissue visualization device

• US 10,405,886 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2018
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trice Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Trice Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Washburn, II, Richard H., Intintoli, Alfred J., Davison, Andrew C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Henderson, Ryan N
• Application Number:
  US16/125,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20190000305A1
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00066 Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles A61B1/0052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00071 Insertion part of the endoscope body A61B1/0055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00103 designed for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00108 characterised by self-sufficient functionality for stand-alone use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00188 with focusing or zooming features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/12 with cooling or rinsing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/313 for introducing through surgical openings, e.g. laparoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/317 for bones or joints, e.g. osteoscopes, arthroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3478 Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3286 Needle tip design, e.g. for improved penetration

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fully integrated sterilizable one time use disposable tissue visualization device and methods for using such devices. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate the visualization of an internal tissue site while causing a minimum of damage to the surrounding tissue. Further preferred embodiments may allow for the delivery of fluids and other treatment to an internal tissue site.

Claims

1. A disposable visualization needle, comprising:

a handpiece;

an elongate tubular needle having a proximal end affixed to the handpiece and a distal end having a sharpened tip;

an optical hypotube extending through the elongate tubular needle and comprising an image sensor at the distal end, the optical hypotube comprising a first linear section extending from the handpiece, a bent section extending from the first linear section and a second linear section extending from the bent section, a distal end of the second linear section defining a distal end of the optical hypotube, the second linear section substantially parallel to the first linear section;

wherein the bent section comprises a bend extending radially away from a longitudinal axis of the first linear section; and

wherein when the elongate tubular needle is mounted to the handpiece, the bent section abuts against an inner surface of the elongate tubular needle to bias the distal end of the optical hypotube to the sharpened tip.

2. The visualization needle of claim 1, wherein the bent section is located at a position about 50-90% of the length of the optical hypotube from the handpiece.

3. The visualization needle of claim 2, wherein the bent section is located at a position about 70% of the length of the optical hypotube from the handpiece.

4. The visualization needle of claim 2, wherein the bent section is located at a position about 80% of the length of the optical hypotube from the handpiece.

5. The visualization needle of claim 2, wherein the bent section is located at a position about 90% of the length of the optical hypotube from the handpiece.

6. The visualization needle of claim 1, wherein the bent section comprises a degree of bending of about 35 degrees.

7. The visualization needle of claim 1, wherein the bent section comprises a degree of bending of about 10 degrees.

8. The visualization needle of claim 1, wherein the bias is configured to provide blunting of the sharpened tip, the blunting configured to prevent damage to a tissue site.

9. The visualization needle of claim 1, wherein the first linear section comprises about 40% of the length of the optical hypotube.

10. The visualization needle of claim 9, wherein the first linear segment comprises about 20% of the length of the optical hypotube.

11. The visualization needle of claim 1, wherein the sharpened tip comprises a reverse grind.

12. The visualization needle of claim 1, wherein the optical hypotube comprises a second bent section.

13. The visualization needle of claim 12, wherein the optical element comprises a third bent section.

14. The visualization needle of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the optical hypotube is configured to provide illumination.