Endospoic Sheath with Illumination Systems

• US 20090036739A1
• Filed: 12/01/2005
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cogentix Medical, Inc. (2941881 Canada, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vision-Sciences Incorporated (2941881 Canada, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hadani, Ron
• Granted Patent: US 8,360,968 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/121
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 Electrodes being detachable from a support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0517 Esophageal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3621 for treating or preventing abnormally high heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3625 External stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3918 characterised by shock pathway, e.g. by electrode configuration

Abstract

A protective sheath adapted to cover an elongate medical probe. The sheath includes an elongate sheath adapted to receive an insertion tube of a medical probe and isolate the insertion tube from body tissue and at least one light generating element mounted on the sheath.

Claims

1. A protective sheath adapted to cover an elongate medical probe, comprising:

an elongate sheath adapted to receive an insertion tube of a medical probe; and

at least one light generating element mounted on the sheath.

2. A sheath according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light generating element comprises at least one light emitting diode.

3. A sheath according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light generating element comprises at least one chemiluminescent vial.

4. A sheath according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light generating element is mounted within three centimeters of a distal end of the sheath.

5. A sheath according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light generating element is mounted on a distal face of the sheath.

6. A sheath according to claim 1, comprising a battery electrically coupled to the light generating element, at least partially embedded within the sheath.

7. A sheath according to claim 1, comprising at least one optic element adapted to change a direction of light emitted by one or more of the at least one light generating element.

8. A sheath according to claim 1, wherein the elongate sheath comprises a protective sheath suitable to isolate the insertion tube from body tissue

9. A protective sheath for an endoscope, comprising:

an elongate sheath adapted to receive an insertion tube of an endoscope and isolate the insertion tube from body tissue; and

a power source at least partially embedded within the sheath.

10. A sheath according to claim 9, wherein the power source comprises a battery.

11. A sheath according to claim 10, wherein the battery is at least partially embedded within the sheath within five centimeters from a distal end of the sheath.

12. A sheath according to claim 9, comprising a wireless power reception port, coupled to the sheath, adapted to wirelessly receive power from a power transmitter external to the sheath.

13. A sheath according to claim 10, wherein the battery is rechargeable.

14. A sheath according to claim 10, wherein the battery has a length at least ten times longer than its width.

15. A sheath according to claim 10, wherein the battery comprises a plurality of links connected through wires.

16. A sheath according to claim 10, wherein the battery does not substantially affect the flexibility of the sheath.

17. A sheath according to claim 9, wherein the sheath defines a working channel adapted for passage of fluids between tissue distal to a distal end of the sheath and a proximal end of the sheath.

18. A protective sheath adapted to cover an elongate medical probe, comprising:

an elongate sheath adapted to receive an insertion tube of a medical probe and isolate the insertion tube from body tissue; and

at least one imaging device mounted on the sheath.

19. A sheath according to claim 18, wherein the at least one imaging device is mounted on a distal face of the sheath.

20. An endoscope assembly, comprising:

an endoscope having a power source and a power consuming element, which are not connected within the endoscope; and

a protective sheath covering the endoscope, including a conductive element which closes a circuit connecting the power source and the power consuming element.

21. An assembly according to claim 20, wherein the protective sheath connects the power source to the power consuming element regardless of the relative radial orientation of the sheath and the endoscope.

22. An assembly according to claim 20, wherein the power consuming element comprises an illumination unit.