APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR EXAMINING, VISUALIZING, DIAGNOSING, MANIPULATING, TREATING AND RECORDING OF ABNORMALITIES WITHIN INTERIOR REGIONS OF BODY CAVITIES

• US 20070213590A1
• Filed: 05/17/2007
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gyntec Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gyntec Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Squicciarini, John
• Application Number:
  US11/750,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20070213590A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/172
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00087 Tools A61B17/00234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00101 the distal tip features being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A portable multi-functional endoscopic device and method for use in the examination of tissue within a corporeal orifice to permit diagnostic, therapeutic or anatomical assessment data to be transmitted, recorded, or analyzed. The device includes a base unit sized and configured to be held in a human hand to permit functional and directional control of the device, an interchangeable head assembly sized and configured to be inserted into the orifice being removably connectable to the base unit, and an inflatable tissue stabilizer disposed external to a distal end of the device. In preferred aspects, the endoscopic device has an image sensor, light source, lens, air pump, and working tools.

Claims

1. An endoscopic device for the examination of tissue within a corporeal orifice to permit diagnostic, therapeutic or anatomical assessment, comprising:

a base unit sized and configured to be held in a human hand to permit functional and directional control of the device, the base unit having a proximal end and a distal end;

an interchangeable head assembly sized and configured to be inserted into the orifice, the interchangeable head assembly being removably connectable to the distal end of the base unit, wherein the interchangeable head assembly is detachably linked to the base unit in one or more of either a mechanical, electrical, optical or fluid fashion; and

an inflatable tissue stabilizer disposed external to a distal end of the device.

2. The endoscopic device of claim 1, further comprising an image sensor.

3. The endoscopic device of claim 2, wherein the image sensor is disposed within the interchangeable head assembly.

4. The endoscopic device of claim 2, further comprising at least one lens for enhancing a viewable image.

5. The endoscopic device of claim 4, wherein the at least one lens is part of the interchangeable head assembly.

6. The endoscopic device of claim 2, further comprising a light source to illuminate desired portions of the tissue.

7. The endoscopic device of claim 6, wherein the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED).

8. The endoscopic device of claim 1, further comprising an information transmitter for communication between the device and a display unit.

10. The endoscopic device of claim 1, further comprising an internal power source.

11. The endoscopic device of claim 1, further comprising one or more removably connectable working tools to assist in the diagnostic, therapeutic or anatomical assessment.

12. The endoscopic device of claim 11, wherein the working tool is selected from the group consisting of a laparoscopic device, a colposcopic device, a pap smear apparatus, a fluid line, a thermometer, a thermal sensor, a Doppler system, an ultrasound emitter, a biopsy apparatus, a cutting device, a cauterizing device, and a needle.

9. The endoscopic device of 27, wherein the information transmitter comprises a wireless communication device.

13. A method of examining tissue within a corporeal orifice, the method comprising:

inserting an endoscopic device having a base unit sized and configured to be held in a human hand to permit functional and directional control of the device, the base unit having a proximal end and a distal end and an interchangeable head assembly sized and configured to be inserted into the orifice, the interchangeable head assembly being removably connectable to the distal end of the base unit, wherein the interchangeable head assembly is detachably linked to the base unit in one or more of either a mechanical, electrical, optical or fluid fashion, and an inflatable tissue stabilizer disposed external to a distal end of the device; and

transmitting information from the endoscopic device to an image display device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting information comprises capturing image data with an image sensor disposed within the interchangeable head assembly.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting information comprises wirelessly transmitting data using a wireless communication device.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising manipulating a portion of the tissue within the orifice for improving visualization within the orifice, wherein the manipulating comprises actuating the inflatable tissue stabilizer from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the second configuration has a second radial cross-sectional area defined by the outer surface of the inflatable tissue stabilizer that is greater than a first radial cross-sectional area defined by the outer surface of the inflatable tissue stabilizer in the first configuration.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising;

distally advancing one or more removably connectable working tools within a working channel of the endoscopic device;

using the working tool assist in the diagnostic, therapeutic or anatomical assessment of tissue within the orifice; and

proximally retracting the one or more removably connectable working tools.

18. An apparatus for the diagnostic, therapeutic or anatomical assessment of tissue within a vagina, comprising:

an interchangeable insertion unit configured to be removably coupled to a control unit in one or more of either a mechanical, electrical, optical or fluid fashion, the interchangeable insertion unit further sized and configured to be insertable within the vagina and to transmit data to an external data display device; and

a stabilizing ring disposed on a distal end of the interchangeable insertion unit.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising an image sensor.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising one or more removably connectable working tools to assist in the diagnostic, therapeutic or anatomical assessment.