Device and system for in-vivo procedures

• US 20050080342A1
• Filed: 07/11/2003
• Published: 04/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gavriel Meron, Mark G. Gilreath
• Original Assignee: Gavriel Meron, Mark G. Gilreath
• Inventors: Meron, Gavriel, Gilreath, Mark G.
• Application Number:
  US10/617,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20050080342A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00087 Tools A61B17/00234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0607 for annular illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/12 with cooling or rinsing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2736 Gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3132 for laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH

Abstract

A system for performing in vivo procedures is provided. The system may include a tool for performing an in vivo procedure. The tool may have an in vivo sensor for obtaining in vivo information; a functional element for performing an interventional or diagnostic in-vivo procedure; a processor in communication with the tool for receiving and optionally processing the in vivo information obtained by the tool and a monitor in communication with the processor for displaying the optionally processed in vivo information. The communication between the elements of the system may be wireless, or, optionally, wired.

Claims

1. A medical tool comprising a central body having an in vivo inserted end and a non inserted end, said in vivo inserted end including at least one functional element and at least one sensing unit.

2. The tool according to claim 1 wherein the non inserted end includes a controller, said controller functionally coupled to the functional element.

3. The tool according to claim 1, said tool including silicon, plastic or metal.

4. The tool according to claim 1 wherein the functional element comprises one or more elements selected from the group consisting of:

graspers, blades, clamps, tissue collecting baskets, means for delivering treatment, stents, forceps, snares, hemostasis devices, dilatation balloons, catheters, sphincterotomes, guidwires and suturing devices.

5. The tool according to claim 1 wherein the sensing unit comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of:

image sensors, pH meters, pressure detectors, temperature sensors.

6. The tool according to claim 1 comprising at least one illumination source.

7. The tool according to claim 6 wherein the illumination source is an LED.

8. The tool according to claim 1 comprising a transmitter.

9. The tool according to claim 8 wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter.

10. The tool according to claim 8 wherein the transmitter is an RF transmitter.

11. The tool according to claim 1 comprising a channel.

12. The tool according to claim 11 wherein the channel passes through at least the central body.

13. A medical tool comprising

at least one functional element;

a controller functionally coupled to the functional element; and

at least one imaging unit.

14. The tool according to claim 13 wherein the functional element comprises one or more elements selected from the group consisting of:

graspers, blades, clamps, tissue collecting baskets, means for delivering treatment, stents, forceps, snares, hemostasis devices, dilatation balloons, catheters, sphincterotomes, guidwires and suturing devices.

15. The tool according to claim 13 wherein the imaging unit comprises:

at least one image sensor; and

at least one illumination source.

16. The tool according to claim 13 comprising a transmitter.

17. The tool according to claim 13 wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter.

18. A system for performing in vivo procedures, said system comprising:

a device comprising a central body having an in vivo inserted end and a non inserted end, said in vivo inserted end including at least one functional element and at least one sensing unit;

a transmitter in communication with the in vivo sensor; and

a receiver.

19. The system according to claim 18 comprising a monitor in communication with the receiver for displaying in vivo information.

20. The system according to claim 18 comprising a processor for processing in vivo information.