Endoscope with an optical fiber embedded in a flexible sleeve and method for using the same

• US 20060235270A1
• Filed: 04/10/2006
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LISA Laser Products GmbH
• Original Assignee: Lisa Laser Products OHG Fuhrberg & Teichmann (OmniGuide Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Teichmann, Heinrich-Otto
• Granted Patent: US 7,775,969 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/106
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/307 for the urinary organs, e.g. urethroscopes, cystoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/00 Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers drapes specially adapted for instruments A61B46/10

Abstract

The present invention relates to an endoscope, in particular an ureterorenoscope. The endoscope comprises a lumen for insertion of a light and energy transmitting fiber. According to the invention during insertion of the fiber into a working channel of the endoscope the sharp edges of the fiber are protected by a flexible sleeve in order to avoid damages of a wall limiting the working channel. Prior to using the fiber for transmitting energy emitted by a laser the flexible sleeve is completely removed from the working channel in order to free a lumen that might be used for additional instruments or delivery of a fluid. Furthermore the stiffness of the endoscope is reduced by removing the flexible sleeve.

Claims

1. An endoscope for multiple use, said endoscope comprising

a working channel,

an optical fiber having a distal end,

a flexible sleeve, said flexible sleeve having an inner lumen for receiving said optical fiber and said flexible sleeve being axially movable relative to said working channel and relative to said optical fiber;

said endoscope being designed and arranged for allowing a reciprocating movement into

a first operational state wherein said distal end of said optical fiber is located inside said flexible sleeve and

a second operational state wherein said flexible sleeve is completely removed from said working channel.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, said endoscope being designed and arranged for allowing a reciprocating movement into a third operational state wherein said flexible sleeve extends through said working channel but said distal end is located outside said sleeve.

3. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said flexible sleeve comprises a slit extending in longitudinal direction.

4. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said flexible sleeve comprises a slit extending in longitudinal direction.

5. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the length of said optical fiber is longer than the double of the length of the maximum of the length of said sleeve and the length of said working channel.

6. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the length of said optical fiber is longer than the double of the length of the maximum of the length of said sleeve and the length of said working channel.

7. The endoscope according to claim 2, further comprising a fixing device located at a proximal end of said sleeve, said fixing device detachable coupling said flexible sleeve with said optical fiber in said first operational state.

8. The endoscope according to claim 3, further comprising a fixing device located at a proximal end of said sleeve, said fixing device detachable coupling said flexible sleeve with said optical fiber in said first operational state.

9. The endoscope according to claim 4, further comprising a fixing device located at a proximal end of said sleeve, said fixing device detachable coupling said flexible sleeve with said optical fiber in said first operational state.

10. The endoscope according to claim 5, further comprising a fixing device located at a proximal end of said sleeve, said fixing device detachable coupling said flexible sleeve with said optical fiber in said first operational state.

11. The endoscope according to claim 6, further comprising a fixing device located at a proximal end of said sleeve, said fixing device detachable coupling said flexible sleeve with said optical fiber in said first operational state.

12. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said flexible sleeve is made of PTFE.

13. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said flexible sleeve is made of PTFE.

14. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein said flexible sleeve is made of PTFE.

15. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein said flexible sleeve is made of PTFE.

16. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein said flexible sleeve is made of PTFE.

17. The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein said flexible sleeve is made of PTFE.

18. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said flexible sleeve has a slanted distal tip.

19. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said flexible sleeve has a slanted distal tip.

20. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein said flexible sleeve has a slanted distal tip.

21. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein said flexible sleeve has a slanted distal tip.

22. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein said flexible sleeve has a slanted distal tip.

23. The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein said flexible sleeve has a slanted distal tip.

24. A method for using an endoscope including a working channel, an optical fiber having a distal end and a flexible sleeve in a body, said method comprising the steps of:

a) embedding the optical fiber in the flexible sleeve in a first operational state and locating the distal end of the optical fiber inside the flexible sleeve;

b) introducing the flexible sleeve with the optical fiber embedded therein into a working channel of the endoscope;

c) moving the flexible sleeve relative to the optical fiber and relative to the working channel into a second operational state, locating the whole flexible sleeve outside the working channel and giving access to a lumen built between a wall limiting the working channel and the fiber;

d) using the lumen for at least one purpose selected from the group consisting of a diagnostic purpose and a therapeutic purpose,

e) reintroducing the flexible sleeve into the working channel,

f) removing the flexible sleeve with the fiber located therein from the body.

25. A method for use of an endoscope according to claim 24, wherein said step of using the lumen for at least one of a group of a diagnostic and a therapeutic purpose comprises introducing an instrument into said lumen.

26. A method for use of an endoscope according to claim 24, wherein said step of using the lumen for at least one of a group of a diagnostic and a therapeutic purpose comprises using the lumen for delivery or collection of a fluid.

27. A method for use of an endoscope according to claim 24, further comprising the steps of

introducing the endoscope into a human body before performing said said steps of embedding and introducing and

removing the endoscope from said human body after performing said step of removing.