Video rectoscope

• US 20030032860A1
• Filed: 07/19/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker GI Ltd. (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sighline Technologies, Ltd.
• Inventors: Levin, Victor, Oz, Dan, Avni, Arie
• Granted Patent: US 6,855,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/121
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0005 combining images e.g. side-by-side, superimposed or tiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00087 Tools A61B17/00234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00151 using everted tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00179 for off-axis viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0053 using distributed actuators, e.g. artificial muscles
• 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 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes

Abstract

A video endoscope includes a generally rigid, elongate insertion member, having distal and proximal ends, and a video camera head fixed at the distal end of the insertion member. A sheath fits over and covers the insertion member, the sheath having a distal portion covering the video camera head, at least a section of which distal portion is substantially transparent.

Claims

1. A video endoscope, comprising:

a generally rigid, elongate insertion member, having distal and proximal ends;

a video camera head fixed at the distal end of the insertion member; and

a sheath, which fits over and covers the insertion member, the sheath having a distal portion covering the video camera head, at least a section of which distal portion is substantially transparent.

2. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the camera head comprises a detector array.

3. An endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the camera head comprises an objective lens, which forms an image on the detector array.

4. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the camera head is inclined obliquely relative to a longitudinal axis of the insertion member.

5. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the camera head comprises a light source.

6. An endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the light source comprises one or more LEDs.

7. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the substantially transparent section of the distal portion of the sheath comprises an optical window.

8. An endoscope according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distal portion of the sheath comprises a narrowed tip, which facilitates insertion of the endoscope through the anus.

9. An endoscope according to claim 8, wherein the narrowed tip comprises a bulbous protrusion.

10. An endoscope according to claim 8, wherein the narrowed tip comprises two or more leaves, which are closed during insertion through the anus and open apart after insertion to expose the transparent section of the distal portion of the sheath.

11. An endoscope according to claim 10, wherein to open the leaves, the sheath is shifted in a proximal direction drawn relative to the insertion member.

12. An endoscope according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the sheath contains a working channel passing longitudinally therealong.

13. An endoscope according to claim 12, wherein the sheath comprises a one-way valve within the working channel, for preventing back-flow of fluid therethrough.

14. An endoscope according to claim 12, wherein the endoscope comprises a handle, fixed to the proximal end of the insertion member, and wherein the handle comprises user controls for controlling the passage of fluid through the working channel.

15. An endoscope according to any of claims 1-7, wherein at least a longitudinal section of the insertion member is flexible and resilient.

16. An endoscope according to claim 15, wherein the sheath comprises an inflatable bladder disposed longitudinally within the sheath, such that inflation of the bladder causes its length to increase so that the insertion member bends.

17. An endoscope according to any of claims 1-7, and comprising a mirror fixed in a position distal to the camera head within a field of view thereof and oriented obliquely relative to an optical axis of the camera head, so that the camera head captures an image reflected from the mirror.

18. An endoscope according to claim 17, wherein the image reflected from the mirror includes an area of a physiological structure in which a surgical procedure is to be performed using the endoscope.

19. A steering mechanism for an elongate medical probe, comprising at least one controllably inflatable element fixed to the probe, such that a longitudinal dimension of the element changes responsive to inflation thereof, thereby causing the probe to bend.

20. A mechanism according to claim 19, wherein the at least one inflatable element comprises two elements disposed radially on different sides of the probe, so as to bend the probe in different, respective directions.

21. A mechanism according to claim 20, wherein the two elements comprise first and second elements on opposing sides of the probe, such that the first element is inflated and the second element is deflated so as to bend the probe toward the side on which the second element is fixed.

22. A mechanism according to any of claims 19-21, wherein the at least one inflatable element comprises an expandable wall section on an outer surface thereof, which expands and contracts responsive to changes in the inflation of the element.

23. A mechanism according to any of claims 19-21, and comprising a pressure source which is controllably applied to the inflatable element so as control the bending of the probe.

24. A mechanism according to any of claims 19-21, wherein the probe comprises a generally rigid endoscope, having a flexible section which is bent by the mechanism.

25. A mechanism according to claim 24, wherein the endoscope comprises a disposable sheath, which comprises the at least one inflatable element.

26. A generally rigid rectal insert, having a distal end which is inserted into the rectum of a patient, the insert having a curved channel therethrough through which an endoscope is inserted into the sigmoid portion of the colon of a patient.

27. An insert according to claim 26, wherein the distal end of the insert is brought into proximity with the patient'"'"'s sigmoid flexure, and wherein the channel is curved so as to open laterally out of the distal end into the flexure.

28. An insert according to claim 27, wherein the insert is rotatable within the rectum so as to align the opening of the channel at the distal end thereof with the intestine.

29. A method of endoscopic inspection, comprising:

providing an elongate, generally rigid insertion member having a video camera head at a distal end of the member,

fitting a disposable sheath over the member, such that the camera head is covered by a substantially transparent portion of the sheath;

inserting the insertion member, covered by the sheath, into a body cavity of a subject; and

receiving video images within the body cavity from the camera head.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein fitting the sheath comprises fitting a sheath having a narrowed tip, and wherein inserting the member comprises first inserting the narrowed tip into the cavity.

31. A method according to claim 30, and comprising opening the narrowed tip after insertion to expose the substantially transparent portion of the sheath covering the camera head.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein opening the narrowed tip comprises shifting at least a portion of the sheath in a proximal direction over the insertion member so as to separate two or more leaves that meet to form the narrowed tip.

33. A method according to any of claims 29-32, wherein receiving the video images comprises illuminating the inside of the body cavity using a light source in the video camera head.

34. A method according to any of claims 29-32, wherein fitting the disposable sheath comprises fitting a sheath having at least one working channel passing therethrough.

35. A method according to claim 34, and comprising insufflating the body cavity by passing a pressurized fluid through the working channel.

36. A method according to any of claims 29-32, wherein providing the insertion member comprises providing a member at least a longitudinal portion of which is flexible and resilient, and wherein inserting the member comprises flexing the flexible, resilient portion.

37. A method according to claim 36, wherein inserting the member comprises inserting an insert into the body cavity having a curved channel therethrough, and passing the member through the channel.

38. A method according to claim 36, wherein flexing the flexible, resilient portion comprises inflating an inflatable bladder disposed within the sheath so that the length of the bladder increases, thereby bending the portion.

39. A method according to any of claims 29-32, wherein inserting the insertion member comprises inserting the member through the anus of the subject.

40. A method according to claim 39, wherein receiving the images comprises receiving images within the rectum.

41. A method according to claim 39, wherein receiving the images comprises receiving images within the sigmoid.

42. A method for steering a medical probe, comprising:

fixing an inflatable element to the probe; and

controllably inflating the element so as to change the length thereof, thus causing the probe to bend.

43. A method according to claim 42, wherein fixing the inflatable element comprises fixing a plurality of elements on different sides of the probe, so that each element causes the probe to bend in a different, respective direction.

44. A method according to claim 42, wherein the medical probe comprises a generally rigid endoscope at least a section of which is flexible, and wherein controllably inflating the element causes the flexible section of the endoscope to bend.

45. A method for inserting an endoscope into the colon of a patient, comprising:

providing a generally rigid insert having proximal and distal ends and having a curved channel passing therethrough with a lateral opening at the distal end;

inserting the insert into the patient'"'"'s rectum so that the distal end is in proximity to the sigmoid flexure of the colon; and

passing the endoscope through the channel and into the sigmoid colon.

46. A method according to claim 45, and comprising rotating the insert to align the opening at the distal end of the insert with the colon before passing the endoscope therethrough.

47. A method according to claim 45 or 46, wherein passing the endoscope comprises passing a flexible endoscope through the channel.

48. A method according to claim 45 or 46, wherein passing the endoscope comprises passing a generally rigid endoscope including a flexible portion through the channel, such that the flexible portion is bent by the curve of the channel.