MICROENDOSCOPE AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20100204609A1
• Filed: 07/15/2009
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LUMINUS VENTURES LLC
• Original Assignee: LUMINUS VENTURES LLC
• Inventors: Walker, David, WORTH, Howard
• Application Number:
  US12/503,625
• Publication Number:
  US 20100204609A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/562
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/313 for introducing through surgical openings, e.g. laparoscopes

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a microendoscope assembly capable of intra-ductal use. The microendoscope generally comprises: an outer cylindrical guide tube defining an internal passageway having an exterior diameter of no greater than about 1.0 mm; a first internal cylindrical tube defining a working channel having an interior diameter of no less than about 0.5 mm; a second internal cylindrical tube defining a image guide and housing a lens; and an illumination bundle comprising optic fibers.

Claims

1. A microendoscope assembly comprising:

an outer cylindrical guide tube defining an internal passageway having an exterior diameter of no greater than 1 mm;

a first internal cylindrical tube defining a working channel having an interior diameter of no less than 0.5 mm;

a second internal cylindrical tube defining a image guide and housing a lens; and

an illumination bundle comprising optic fibers.

2. A microendoscope assembly of claim 1, wherein the image guide is a 6000 pixel image guide.

3. A microendoscope assembly of claim 1, wherein the lens is a grin lens.

4. A microendoscope assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer cylindrical tube, the first internal cylindrical tube and the second internal cylindrical tube are each formed from semi-rigid or flexible polymer materials.

5. A microendoscope assembly of claim 4, wherein the polymer material is a polyimide.

6. A microendoscope assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a hub at a proximal end of the outer cylindrical guide tube, the hub having an image coupler and a working channel coupler; and

a back member proximal to and interfaced with image coupler of the hub, the back member having a light post and a video port/eye piece;

wherein the optic fibers of the illumination bundle pass through the hub, the image coupler and to the light post of the back member.

7. A method of using a microendoscope assembly of claim 1 in breast cancer diagnostics in a subject in need thereof using the working channel of the microendoscope to identify and retrieve targeted tissue samples for biopsy, the method comprising:

guiding the microendoscope to a desired location within a duct of a subject'"'"'s breast while viewing the interior of the duct via image guide and lens as the endoscope passes on its way through the duct to the desired location;

inserting micro-instruments into the working channel of the microendoscope while maintaining real-time imaging of the desired location via the image guide and lens;

manipulating the micro instrument to retrieve a targeted tissue sample for biopsy; and

removing the entire microendoscope assembly from the duct and breast with the targeted tissue sample.

8. A method of using a microendoscope assembly of claim 1 in intra-ductal endoscopy in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising:

guiding the microendoscope to a desired location within a duct having a diameter less than about 1 mm of a subject while viewing the interior of the duct via image guide and lens as the endoscope passes on its way through the duct to the desired location;

inserting micro-instruments into the working channel of the microendoscope while maintaining real-time imaging of the desired location via the image guide and lens;

manipulating the micro-instrument in a desired manner to achieve a desired result within the duct; and

removing the entire microendoscope assembly from the duct.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the endoscopy procedure is a biopsy, and the micro-instrument is manipulated to as to retrieve a targeted tissue sample for biopsy.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the endoscopy procedure is a microsurgery, and the micro-instrument is manipulated to as repair a targeted tissue.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the duct location is selected from the group consisting of:

breast ducts, sinus cavities, blood vessels, the gastrointestinal tract, optical space, and cerebral spaces.