Integrated Multi-Functional Endoscopic Tool

• US 20100016757A1
• Filed: 07/10/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: superDimension, Ltd. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Meloul, Raphael, Zur, Oded, Greenburg, Benny
• Granted Patent: US 8,932,207 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/562
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00091 Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0125 Endoscope within endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/126 provided with means for cleaning in-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2676 Bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/065 Determining position of the probe employing exclusively positioning means located on or in the probe, e.g. using position sensors arranged on the probe

Abstract

A system for extending the visual capabilities and working channel of a bronchoscope including a probe having optic and/or tracking capabilities at a distal tip thereof and capable of being advanced through the working channel of a standard bronchoscope. The probe also includes a working channel through which various diagnostic and treatment tools may be advanced.

Claims

1. A probe for use through a working channel of a bronchoscope comprising:

a location sensor in a distal end of said probe, said location sensor usable in combination with a location system for determining a location and orientation of said probe distal end;

a working channel extending axially through said probe;

an optical assembly, usable to communicate visual imagery data to a monitor of an optical scope system;

a steering mechanism capable of deflecting an end of said probe.

2. The probe of claim 1 wherein said location sensor comprises an active sensor.

3. The probe of claim 1 wherein said location sensor comprises a passive sensor.

4. The probe of claim 2 wherein said active sensor comprises a magnetic field generator.

5. The probe of claim 3 wherein said passive sensor comprises at least one coil responsive to a magnetic field.

6. The probe of claim 1 wherein said location sensor comprises a 6 degree of freedom sensor.

7. The probe of claim 1 wherein said optical assembly comprises an objective lens.

8. The probe of claim 7 wherein said optical assembly further comprises at least one light source.

9. The probe of claim 7 wherein said optical assembly further comprises a sealed optic window.

10. The probe of claim 1 wherein said optical assembly comprises an optical assembly that operates within the visible spectrum.

11. The probe of claim 1 wherein said optical assembly comprises an infrared optical system.

12. The probe of claim 9 wherein said optic window is flush with a distal end of said probe.

13. The probe of claim 9 wherein said optic window is convex and said objective lens protrudes from a distal end of said probe.

14. The probe of claim 7 wherein said objective lens comprises a CMOS lens.

15. The probe of claim 7 wherein said objective lens comprises a fiberscope.

16. The probe of claim 7 wherein said objective lens comprises a microvideo lens.

17. The probe of claim 7 wherein said objective lens comprises a hybrid between a fiberscope and a video lens.

18. The probe of claim 1 wherein probe has and outside diameter of less than 2.65 mm.

19. The probe of claim 1 wherein said optical assembly comprises a plurality of light sources.

20. The probe of claim 19 wherein said plurality of light sources comprises a plurality of light fibers.

21. The probe of claim 20 wherein said light fibers terminate at a floor of said optical assembly.

22. The probe of claim 1 wherein said optical assembly comprises an optical window and a floor spaced apart from said optical window.

23. The probe of claim 22 wherein said optical assembly further comprises walls extending between said floor and said optical window.

24. The probe of claim 23 wherein said walls comprise reflective material.

25. The probe of claim 1 further comprising an optic cleaning system.

26. The probe of claim 25 wherein said optic cleaning system comprises a nozzle directed toward said optical assembly.

27. The probe of claim 26 wherein said optic cleaning system comprises a reservoir located near a proximal end of said probe, in fluid communication with said nozzle.

28. The probe of claim 1 further comprising a tool, extendable from said distal end.

29. The probe of claim 28 wherein said tool extends through said working channel.

30. The probe of claim 28 wherein said tool comprises a needle.

31. The probe of claim 28 wherein said tool comprises a marker delivery needle.

32. The probe of claim 28 wherein said tool comprises a biopsy device.

33. The probe of claim 28 wherein said tool comprises a brachytherapy seed delivery device.

34. The probe of claim 1 wherein said steering mechanism comprises at least one steering wire attached to said probe end.

35. The probe of claim 1 wherein said steering mechanism comprises a passive curve preformed at the distal end of said probe.

36. A probe for use through a working channel of a bronchoscope comprising:

a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, said body having an outside diameter of less than 2.65 mm such that it may pass through a working channel of a bronchoscope;

a tool lumen extending through said catheter body;

an optical assembly, usable to communicate visual imagery data to a monitor of an optical scope system;

a tool passable through said tool lumen and extendable from the distal end of the catheter body.

37. The probe of claim 36 further comprising a location sensor in said catheter body distal end, said location sensor usable in combination with a location system for determining a location and orientation of said probe distal end.

38. The probe of claim 36 wherein said location sensor comprises an active sensor.

39. The probe of claim 36 wherein said location sensor comprises a passive sensor.

40. The probe of claim 38 wherein said active sensor comprises a magnetic field generator.

41. The probe of claim 39 wherein said passive sensor comprises at least one coil responsive to a magnetic field.

42. The probe of claim 36 wherein said location sensor comprises a 6 degree of freedom sensor.

43. The probe of claim 36 wherein said optical assembly comprises an objective lens.

44. The probe of claim 43 wherein said optical assembly further comprises at least one light source.

45. The probe of claim 43 wherein said optical assembly further comprises a sealed optic window.

46. The probe of claim 36 wherein said optical assembly comprises an optical assembly that operates within the visible spectrum.

47. The probe of claim 36 wherein said optical assembly comprises an infrared optical system.

48. The probe of claim 45 wherein said optic window is flush with a distal end of said probe.

49. The probe of claim 45 wherein said optic window is convex and said objective lens protrudes from a distal end of said probe.

50. The probe of claim 43 wherein said objective lens comprises a CMOS lens.

51. The probe of claim 43 wherein said objective lens comprises a fiberscope.

52. The probe of claim 43 wherein said objective lens comprises a microvideo lens.

53. The probe of claim 43 wherein said objective lens comprises a hybrid between a fiberscope and a video lens.

54. The probe of claim 36 wherein said optical assembly comprises a plurality of light sources.

55. The probe of claim 54 wherein said plurality of light sources comprises a plurality of light fibers.

56. The probe of claim 55 wherein said light fibers terminate at a floor of said optical assembly.

57. The probe of claim 36 wherein said optical assembly comprises an optical window and a floor spaced apart from said optical window.

58. The probe of claim 57 wherein said optical assembly further comprises walls extending between said floor and said optical window.

59. The probe of claim 58 wherein said walls comprise reflective material.

60. The probe of claim 36 further comprising an optic cleaning system.

61. The probe of claim 60 wherein said optic cleaning system comprises a nozzle directed toward said optical assembly.

62. The probe of claim 61 wherein said optic cleaning system comprises a reservoir located near a proximal end of said probe, in fluid communication with said nozzle.

63. The probe of claim 36 further comprising a tool, extendable from said distal end.

64. A method of treating target tissue in a distal portion of the lungs comprising:

using a bronchoscope to visually navigate through proximal airways in a distal direction toward said target tissue until said airways become too narrow for said bronchoscope;

extending through a working channel of said bronchoscope, a probe having a navigation system and a tool lumen;

navigating said probe to said target tissue;

extending through said tool lumen, a tool usable to treat said target tissue.

65. The method of claim 64 wherein extending through a working channel of said bronchoscope, a probe having a navigation system and a tool lumen comprises extending through said working channel of said bronchoscope, a probe having an optical navigation system.

66. The method of claim 64 wherein extending through a working channel of said bronchoscope, a probe having a navigation system and a tool lumen comprises extending through said working channel of said bronchoscope, a probe having an electromagnetic navigation system.

67. The method of claim 64 wherein extending through a working channel of said bronchoscope, a probe having a navigation system and a tool lumen comprises extending through said working channel of said bronchoscope, a probe having an optical navigation system and an electromagnetic system.