BIOLOGICAL NAVIGATION DEVICE

• US 20100099949A1
• Filed: 07/30/2009
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Loma Vista Medical, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Loma Vista Medical, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: SCHEEFF, Mark Christopher, TILSON, Alexander Quillin, DUVAL, Gene
• Granted Patent: US 10,188,273 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00071 Insertion part of the endoscope body A61B1/0055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0008 characterised by distal tip features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00151 using everted tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00156 using self propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0055 Constructional details of insertion parts, e.g. vertebral elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/01 Guiding arrangements therefore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0113 Mechanical advancing means, e.g. catheter dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0116 self-propelled, e.g. autonomous robots A61M25/0122 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0133 Tip steering devices

Abstract

Biological navigation devices and methods are disclosed. The devices can be used as or to support colonoscopies or endoscopes. The devices can have longitudinally extensible cells that can be selectively inflated. The devices can have articulable links. The devices can be removably attached to elongated elements, such as colonoscopes or other endoscopes.

Claims

1. A device for navigation through a biological anatomy, the device having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

a first cell configured to expand and contract in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first cell comprises a first expandable bladder;

a second cell configured to expand and contract in the longitudinal direction, wherein the second cell comprises a second expandable bladder, and wherein the second cell is in contact with the first cell.

2. A device for navigation through a biological anatomy, the device having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

a first cell configured to expand and contract in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first cell comprises a first expandable bladder, and;

a second cell configured to expand and contract in the longitudinal direction, wherein the second cell comprises a second expandable bladder,

a third cell configured to expand and contract in the longitudinal direction, wherein the third cell comprises a third expandable bladder.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a fourth cell configured to expand and contract in the longitudinal direction, wherein the fourth cell comprises a fourth expandable bladder.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the first cell comprises a first longitudinally expandable bellow.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the second cell comprises a second longitudinally expandable bellow.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the device has a tool channel extending longitudinally through the first cell, the second cell and the third cell.

7. The device of claim 2, further comprising a fluid conduit, wherein the first expandable bladder, the second expandable bladder and the third expandable bladder are in fluid communication with the fluid conduit.

8. A device for navigation through a biological anatomy, the device having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

a tube configured to be pressurized; and

a distal tip configured to longitudinally reciprocate with respect to the tube.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the distal tip comprises a visual receiver.

10. The device of claim 8, further comprising an articulating length.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the articulating length is longitudinally overlapping or longitudinally concurrent with the cell.

12. A method for navigation through a biological anatomy comprising:

pressurizing the inside of an inflatable navigation device element, wherein the pressurizable navigation device element is attached to a distal tip;

translating the distal tip away from the navigation device element; and

translating the navigation device element toward the distal tip after the translating of the distal tip away from the navigation device element.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the navigation device element comprises a cell comprising a bladder.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the cell comprises a bellow.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the pressurizing comprises longitudinally expanding the inflatable navigation device element.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the pressurizing comprises translating the navigation device element through the biological anatomy.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising articulating the inflatable navigation device element at an articulating section.

18. The method of claim 12, pulling an elongated element through the biological anatomy.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the pulling comprises pulling the elongated element with the inflatable navigation device element.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the pulling comprises pulling the elongated element with the distal tip.