Next Generation Colonoscope

• US 20060252994A1
• Filed: 05/06/2005
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nitesh Ratnakar
• Original Assignee: Nitesh Ratnakar
• Inventors: Ratnakar, Nitesh
• Granted Patent: US 7,621,869 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/173
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00179 for off-axis viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00181 for multiple fixed viewing angles A61B1/00193 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a colonoscope, hereafter referred to as the ‘next generation colonoscope’; with means to enable examination of various colonic segments multiple times during a single passage through the colon. In addition, the ‘next generation colonoscope’ provides both forward and rear views of the colon; without the need to perform ‘retro flexion’. The ‘next generation colonoscope’has multiple ‘dual view modules’ that are attached along the length of its shaft. Each ‘dual view module’ comprises of a forward and rear image lens; and a forward and rear illumination bulb. Each ‘dual view module’ is designed; and attached to the shaft in a way that when deployed, the forward image lens and the forward illumination bulb face forwards and provide forward view; and the rear image lens and the rear illumination bulb face backwards and provide rear view. The ‘dual view modules’ on the ‘next generation colonoscope’ are strategically spaced apart from each other to enable examination of all colonic segments (proximal and distal) multiple times during a single passage. Because of presence of multiple ‘dual view modules’, the total area of the colon under the field of view of a fully deployed ‘next generation colonoscope’ is far greater than that of a conventional colonoscope. This enables faster examination of the colon. Each ‘dual view module’ has a corresponding instrument channel that enables surgical procedures to be performed in the area under the field of view of the said ‘dual view module’. In addition, the instrument channel of the ‘next generation colonoscope’ is designed to enable removal of multiple polyps during a single passage through the colon.

Claims

1. An endoscope with one or more image modules wherein;

1) Image module has one or more image lens;

     2) Image module has means to obtain forward and/or rear view;

     3) Image modules are attached along the length of the shaft of the endoscope.

2. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein;

the image module has one or more illumination bulbs.

3. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein;

the image module has a corresponding instrument channel.

4. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein;

means are provided to perform surgical procedures in the area under the field of view of the image module.

5. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein;

the image module has a corresponding air/water channel.

6. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein;

means are provided to insufflate air and/or squirt water in the area under the field of view of the image module.

7. A method of examining a hollow body organ/cavity comprising of the endoscope of claim 1 wherein;

a) the endoscope is inserted into the said hollow body organ and advanced to a desired end point;

b) one or more image modules along the shaft of the endoscope are deployed during pullout of the said endoscope.

8. The method of examining a hollow body organ/cavity of claim 7 wherein;

the images from the image module are displayed on a monitor.

9. The method of examining a hollow body organ/cavity of claim 7 wherein;

means are provided to enable examination of a given segment of the said hollow organ more than once during a single passage through the said hollow organ.

10. The method of examining a hollow body organ/cavity of claim 7 wherein;

the image modules are deployed during insertion.

11. The method of examining a hollow body organ/cavity of claim 7 wherein;

means are provided to perform surgical procedures in the field of view of the image module.

13. The endoscope of claim 12 wherein;

the instrument channels and/or air/water channels are located along the shaft of the said endoscope.

12. An endoscope with multiple instrument channels and/or air/water channels.

14. A polyp retrieval assembly comprising of a net attached to an introducer;

and an overlying sheath wherein;

means are provided to detach the net from the introducer.

15. A method of removing a polyp from inside a hollow organ/cavity comprising of the polyp retrieval assembly of claim 14 wherein;

a) the said polyp retrieval assembly is passed through the instrument channel of the endoscope;

b) the introducer is advanced to push the net beyond the overlying sheath and the said polyp is engaged inside the net;

c) once the said polyp is engaged, the net along with the introducer is pulled back into the overlying sheath;

d) thereafter the ‘

polyp retrieval assembly’

is pulled back into the instrument channel of the endoscope;

d) the net is then secured within the instrument channel and separated from the introducer;

e) the endoscope is pulled out of the hollow organ/cavity and;

f) thereafter the net is captured and the said polyp is retrieved from inside the net.