Endoluminal tool deployment system

• US 20040138529A1
• Filed: 06/09/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: USGI Medical, Inc., USGI Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: USGI Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Wiltshire, Brent R., Saadat, Vahid, Brenneman, Rodney, Chen, Eugene, Ewers, Richard C.
• Application Number:
  US10/458,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20040138529A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/144
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0055 Constructional details of insertion parts, e.g. vertebral elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0057 Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/313 for introducing through surgical openings, e.g. laparoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00323 Cables or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00349 Needle-like instruments having hook or barb-like gripping means, e.g. for grasping suture or tissue A61B17/06066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2906 Multiple forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 used as instrument channel for multiple instruments catheters A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/508 with releasable brake mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0096 being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0043 characterised by structural features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods are provided for endoscopic procedures involving tissue manipulations beyond the capabilities of traditional endoscopic instruments. Embodiments of the systems include an elongated main body having a scope therethrough. Some embodiments of the systems include an elongated main body which is rigidizable and/or torque transmitting to improve manipulation through passageways in the body.

Claims

1. An endoluminal system comprising:

an elongated main body having a proximal end, a distal end sized for passage through a body lumen, and at least one lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends;

a torque transmitting feature which provides torque transmission between the proximal and distal ends while the main body is unlocked and able to form a desired configuration; and

a locking mechanism which locks the main body in the desired configuration.

2. The endoluminal system of claim 1, further comprising a visualizing element.

3. The endoluminal system of claim 2, wherein the visualizing element is integral with the main body.

4. The endoluminal system of claim 2, wherein the at least one lumen comprises a visualizing lumen and the visualizing element is configured for passage through the visualizing lumen.

5. The endoluminal system of claim 4, wherein the visualizing element comprises an endoscope.

6. The endoluminal system of claim 1, wherein the at least one lumen comprises an arm guide lumen.

7. The endoluminal system of claim 6, further comprising at least one tool arm being adapted to extend through the arm guide lumen.

8. The endoluminal system of claim 1, further comprising a steering mechanism which steers the main body to the desired configuration while the main body is unlocked.

9. The endoluminal system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the elongated main body comprises a plurality of adjacent links.

10. The endoluminal system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of adjacent links comprises at least a first link and an adjacent second link, the torque transmitting feature comprising a tooth from the first link slidably engageable with a groove in the adjacent second link.

11. The endoluminal system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of adjacent links comprises at least a first link and an adjacent second link, the torque transmitting feature comprising a pin from the first link slidably engageable with a slot in the adjacent second link.

12. The endoluminal system of claim 9, wherein the torque transmitting feature comprises a fluted shape of the at least one lumen.

13. The endoluminal system of claim 9, wherein the torque transmitting feature comprises an oval shape of the plurality of adjacent links.

14. The endoluminal system of claim 13, wherein the torque transmitting feature comprises a plurality of rods extending through the adjacent links.

15. The endoluminal system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of rods comprises approximately 8 to 64 rods.

16. The endoluminal system of claim 9, wherein the steering mechanism comprises at least one pullwire extending through the plurality of adjacent links.

17. The endoluminal system of claim 1, wherein the torque transmitting feature comprises a torque transmitting covering over the main body extending between the proximal and distal ends.

18. The endoluminal system of claim 17, wherein the torque transmitting covering comprises a sheath having reinforcements.

19. An endoluminal device comprising:

an elongated main body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, at least a portion of the elongated main body comprising a plurality of adjacent engageable links; and

a torque transmitting feature which provides torque transmission by preventing disengagement of the adjacent links while the main body is unlocked and able to form a desired configuration.

20. The endoluminal device of claim 19, wherein the plurality of adjacent engageable links comprises at least a first link and an adjacent second link, the torque transmitting feature comprising at least one pin from the first link slidably engageable with at least one slot in the adjacent second link.

21. The endoluminal device of claim 20, wherein the at least one pin comprises a pair of pins, each pin extending outwardly from an outer surface of the first link in a diametrically opposite position from the other pin.

22. The endoluminal device of claim 21, wherein the at least one slot comprises a pair of slots, each slot configured to accept one or the pair of pins passing therethrough.

23. The endoluminal device of claim 22, wherein the first link comprises a first domed ring having the outer surface and the adjacent second link comprises a second domed ring having an inner surface, the outer surface of the first domed ring mateable with the inner surface of the second domed ring along a longitudinal axis, and the rings rotateable away from the longitudinal axis.

24. The endoluminal device of claim 22, wherein each slot comprises an elongate opening between a first slot end and a second slot end, the slot ends substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis to allow sliding of the pins through the slots during rotation of the rings away from the longitudinal axis.

25. The endoluminal device of claim 19, wherein the torque transmitting feature comprises a torque transmitting covering over the plurality of adjacent engageable links to prevent disengagement of the adjacent links.

26. The endoluminal device of claim 19, further comprising a locking mechanism which locks the links in the desired configuration.

27. An endoluminal device comprising:

an elongated main body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, at least a portion of the elongated main body comprising a at least a first link and an adjacent second link which are rotateable relative to each other when unlocked;

a torque transmitting feature comprising at least one protrusion from the first link slidably engageable with at least one groove in the adjacent second link, the torque transmitting feature providing torque transmission through the portion of the main body while the links are rotateable; and

a locking mechanism which locks the links upon actuation by preventing rotation of the links relative to each other.

28. The endoluminal device of claim 27, wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a pair of protrusions, each protrusion extending outwardly from an outer surface of the first link in a diametrically opposite position from the other protrusion.

29. The endoluminal device of claim 28, wherein the at least one groove comprises a pair of grooves, each groove configured to accept one or the pair of protrusions passing therein.

30. The endoluminal device of claim 29, wherein the first link comprises a first domed ring having the outer surface and the adjacent second link comprises a second domed ring having an inner surface, the outer surface of the first domed ring mateable with the inner surface of the second domed ring along a longitudinal axis, and the rings rotateable away from the longitudinal axis.

31. The endoluminal device of claim 30, wherein each groove comprises a first groove end and a second groove end, the groove ends substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis to allow sliding of the protrusions along the grooves during rotation of the rings away from the longitudinal axis.

32. An endoluminal device comprising:

an elongated main body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, at least a portion of the elongated main body comprising a plurality of adjacent links which are rotateable relative to each other when unlocked;

a torque transmitting covering over the plurality of adjacent links providing torque transmission therethrough while the links are rotateable; and

a locking mechanism which locks the links upon actuation by preventing rotation of the links relative to each other.

33. The endoluminal device of claim 32, wherein the torque transmitting covering comprises a snuggly fit sheath.

34. The endoluminal device of claim 33, wherein the sheath includes reinforcements.

35. The endoluminal device of claim 34, wherein the reinforcements comprises nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene, Teflon, metal, or polymer.

36. The endoluminal device of claim 34, wherein the reinforcements have a braided or woven arrangement.

37. The endoluminal device of claim 34, wherein the reinforcements has been coated with a polymer.

38. The endoluminal device of claim 32, wherein the torque transmitting covering comprises a polymer coating.

39. An endoluminal device comprising:

an elongated main body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, at least a portion of the elongated main body comprising at least a first link and an adjacent second link which are rotateable relative to each other when unlocked, one of the at least one lumen extending through the links having at least one partition;

an elongated shaft passing through one of the at least one lumen in a manner to transmit torque by contacting the least one partition; and

a locking mechanism which locks the links upon actuation by preventing rotation of the links relative to each other.

40. The endoluminal device of claim 39, wherein the at least one partition comprises an inward protrusion.

41. The endoluminal device of claim 40, wherein the at least one lumen extending through the links has a fluted shape forming the inward protrusions.

42. The endoluminal device of claim 40, wherein the at least one partition comprises at least one divider spanning across the one of the at least one lumen.

43. The endoluminal device of claim 39, wherein the at least one lumen includes at least one steering lumen through which a pullwire passes for use in steering the elongated main body.

44. The endoluminal device of claim 43, wherein the at least one steering lumen comprises a plurality of steering lumens around the one of the at least one lumens.

45. A method of accessing comprising:

providing an elongated main body having a proximal end, a distal end, a visualizing element and a locking mechanism, wherein the main body is capable of forming a desired configuration in an unlocked state and holding the desired configuration in a locked state;

introducing the main body through a body passageway in the unlocked state forming the desired configuration so that the distal end reaches a target location;

actuating the locking mechanism to hold the main body in the desired configuration; and

viewing the target location with the use of the visualizing element.

46. A method as in claim 45, wherein introducing the main body comprises allowing the main body to assume a shape of the body passageway in the unlocked state forming the desired configuration.

47. A method as in claim 46, wherein the main body comprises a plurality of adjacent links and wherein actuating the locking mechanism comprises holding the links in a fixed relation to each other.

48. A method as in claim 47, wherein the plurality of adjacent links comprises a plurality of nestable elements and wherein holding the links comprises wedging the links together to hold them by friction.

49. A method as in claim 45, wherein introducing the main body comprises steering the main body through the body passageway in the unlocked state forming the desired configuration.

50. A method as in claim 49, wherein the main body comprises a plurality of adjacent links and wherein actuating the locking mechanism comprises holding the links in a fixed relation to each other.

51. A method as in claim 50, wherein the plurality of adjacent links comprises a plurality of nestable elements and wherein holding the links comprises wedging the links together to hold them by friction.

52. A method as in claim 45, wherein the main body includes at least one lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, and further comprising introducing an instrument through the at least one lumen.

53. A method as in claim 52, wherein the instrument comprises a tool arm.

54. A method as in claim 45, wherein the elongated main body further includes a visualizing lumen and the visualizing element comprises an endoscope, the method further comprising positioning the endoscope within the visualizing lumen.