System And Method For A Hysteroscope With Integrated Instruments

• US 20080076966A1
• Filed: 09/11/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karl Storz Endovision, Inc. (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Original Assignee: Karl Storz Endovision, Inc. (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Inventors: Isaacson, Keith
• Granted Patent: US 8,678,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/106
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/303 for the vagina, i.e. vaginoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2925 Pistol grips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means

Abstract

A hysteroscope includes a base and a handle attached to the base. The handle has a first trigger and a second trigger. An outer barrel is attached to the base. The outer barrel has a plurality of channels. An actuatable tool is located within at least one channel. The first trigger is in communication with the actuatable tool for extending the tool from within the at least one channel. The second trigger in communication with the actuatable tool for actuating the tool. The hysteroscope may further include a third trigger to pivot a distal portion of the outer barrel.

Claims

1. A hysteroscope comprising:

a base;

a handle attached to said base, said handle having a first trigger and a second trigger;

an outer barrel attached to said base, the outer barrel having a plurality of channels;

an actuatable tool located within at least one of the channels;

wherein the first trigger is in communication with the actuatable tool for extending the tool from within the at least one channel; and

wherein the second trigger in communication with the actuatable tool for actuating the tool.

2. The hysteroscope according to claim 1 wherein the actuatable tool is a forceps whereby actuating the tool causes the forceps to move in a cutting motion.

3. The hysteroscope according to claim 1, wherein the first trigger is further for retracting the tool within the at least one channel.

4. The hysteroscope according to claim 1, wherein the at least one channel includes a working tube extending through the channel;

wherein the actuatable tool is connectable to a distal end of the working tube; and

wherein the first trigger extends the working tube and actuatable tool.

5. The hysteroscope according to claim 4, wherein the working tube includes a hollow screw portion at the distal end of the working tube for receiving the actuatable tool.

7. The hysteroscope according to claim 1, further comprising:

a pivot joint along the outer barrel;

a pivot trigger on said handle;

wherein said pivot trigger is in communication with the pivot joint; and

whereby actuation of said pivot trigger causes said pivot joint to move pivotably.

8. The hysteroscope according to claim 7, wherein actuation of the pivot trigger changes a direction in which a distal portion of the outer barrel is extended.

9. The hysteroscope according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels include an inflow channel, an outflow channel and an imaging system channel.

10. The hysteroscope according to claim 9, wherein said actuatable tool is located within the outflow channel.

11. The hysteroscope according to claim 9, wherein the first trigger is further for extending the outflow channel.

12. The hysteroscope according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one extendable guide in communication with a channel and extendable via a distal end of the outer barrel; and

wherein the extendable guide comprises a shape memory material.

13. The hysteroscope according to claim 12, wherein the extendable guide curves in one particular direction following extension.

14. The hysteroscope according to claim 12, wherein the shape memory material is Nitinol.

15. The hysteroscope according to claim 1, further comprising:

a locking mechanism for locking at least one of the first trigger and second trigger.

6. The hysteroscope according to claim further comprising:

a third trigger for pivoting a distal portion of the outer barrel.

16. A method for individually operating a hysteroscope, comprising the steps of:

gripping a handle of a hysteroscope, wherein the handle is attached to a base, which is attached to an outer barrel;

positioning the hysteroscope using the handle;

actuating a first trigger on the handle causing an actuatable tool within a channel of the outer barrel to extend from a distal end of the channel; and

actuating a second trigger causing the actuatable tool to actuate.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the tool is forceps and wherein actuating of the tool includes cutting.

18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of:

actuating the first trigger to retract the actuatable tool.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of:

actuating a third trigger on the handle to retract the actuatable tool.

20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of:

actuating a third trigger on the handle to pivot a distal portion of the outer barrel.