Multiple view endoscopes

• US 20030163029A1
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medigus Limited
• Original Assignee: Medigus Limited
• Inventors: Sonnenschein, Minelu, Sonnenschein, Elazar, Chinnock, Randal B
• Granted Patent: US 6,997,871 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0005 combining images e.g. side-by-side, superimposed or tiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00181 for multiple fixed viewing angles A61B1/00193 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00193 adapted for stereoscopic vision
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2736 Gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible

Abstract

The present invention relates to an endoscope comprising two or more optical channels that produce two or more distinct views. The endoscope of the invention is suitable for performing various surgical procedures, including fundoplications, stapling of the stomach for obesity management, bladder neck sling procedures for incontinence management, and other procedures that may benefit from having multiple interior views. Such treatments may be performed percutaneously, or by gaining access via natural body canals such as the esophagus or urethra.

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising two or more separate optical channels that produce two or more distinct views, each of said optical channels consisting of an objective lens and a means of capturing or viewing the image;

each channel optionally also including one or more of the following elements;

a) an optical relay system;

b) an occular; and

c) a coupling lens suitable to deliver the image acquired by said objective lens to an image sensor and display apparatus;

wherein each objective lens is located at a different position along the length of the endoscope.

2. An endoscope according to claim 1, in which each of said distinct multiple views may be formed by a single optical channel to produce a monocular view, or by multiple optical channels to produce a binocular or stereoscopic view.

3. An endoscope according to claim 1, in which the components of said optical channels and said display apparatus are chosen such that said endoscope can operate in either the visible, ultraviolet, infrared, or x-ray portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

4. An endoscope according to claim 1, in which said objective lens, ocular, and coupling lens have either fixed focal length, multiple focal lengths, or variable focal lengths.

5. An endoscope according to claim 1, in which each of said distinct views is at an angle of between 0 and 180 degrees with respect to the mechanical axis of said endoscope.

6. An endoscope according to claim 2, in which the field of view of each of each of said optical channels may be of any suitable shape, including, but not limited to circular and rectangular, and has an angular view of up to 180 degrees or more.

7. A GERD endoscope comprising:

a) a sheath provided with a distal articulated section;

b) stapler components distributed between a first location at the tip of said articulated section, and a second location along the length of said sheath, and which stapler components can be brought into a cooperative working positioned relationship by articulation of said articulating tip;

c) a first objective lens located on said distal tip;

d) a second objective lens located at said second location along the flexible sheath;

e) a first optical channel to deliver the image acquired by said first objective lens to display apparatus coupled to said endoscope; and

f) a second optical channel to deliver the image acquired by said second objective lens to display apparatus coupled to said endoscope.

8. A distal tip for a Gerd endoscope comprising:

a) a socket suitable to receive elements of a stapling device;

b) at least one illumination channel; and

c) at least one objective lens coupled to an optical relay system.

9. A distal tip according to claim 8, further comprising a suction and/or irrigation channel.

10. A distal tip according to claim 8, wherein the elements of the stapling device comprise an anvil.