Endoscope With Imaging Capsule

• US 20100298640A1
• Filed: 02/14/2007
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cogentix Medical, Inc. (2941881 Canada, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vision-Sciences Incorporated (2941881 Canada, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hadani, Ron, Oneda, Katsumi
• Granted Patent: US 9,295,377 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00029 externally powered, e.g. wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00071 Insertion part of the endoscope body A61B1/0055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/053 being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units

Abstract

A method of examining internal body portions of patients. The method includes providing an imaging capsule including an image capturing unit, mounting the imaging capsule on a first elongate tube suitable for insertion into a body cavity, in a manner which prevents release of the imaging capsule from the first elongate tube within a body cavity, inserting the first elongate tube with the capsule mounted thereon into a patient, retracting the first elongate tube from the patient, separating the imaging capsule from the first elongate tube, disposing of the first elongate tube, mounting the imaging capsule on a second elongate tube and inserting the second elongate tube with the imaging capsule mounted thereon into a patient.

Claims

1. A method of examining internal body portions of patients, comprising:

providing an imaging capsule including an image capturing unit;

mounting the imaging capsule on a first elongate tube suitable for insertion into a body cavity, in a manner which prevents release of the imaging capsule from the first elongate tube within a body cavity;

inserting the first elongate tube with the capsule mounted thereon into a patient;

retracting the first elongate tube from the patient;

separating the imaging capsule from the first elongate tube;

disposing of the first elongate tube;

mounting the imaging capsule on a second elongate tube; and

inserting the second elongate tube with the imaging capsule mounted thereon into a patient.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first elongate tube has a length of at least 50 centimeters.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein inserting the first elongate tube into a body cavity comprises inserting into the intestine of a patient.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein mounting the imaging capsule on the first elongate tube comprises mounting in a manner such that the imaging capsule is stationary relative to the distal end of the first elongate tube.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein mounting the imaging capsule on the first elongate tube comprises mounting such that the imaging capsule is isolated from the environment outside the tube.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein mounting the imaging capsule on the first elongate tube comprises mounting in a compartment in the elongate tube.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein mounting the imaging capsule on the first elongate tube comprises mounting in a compartment in the elongate tube, such that the imaging capsule fills most of the compartment.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the compartment comprises a recess which receives only part of the imaging capsule.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein mounting the imaging capsule on the first elongate tube comprises mounting within the distal 20% of the length of the elongate tube.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein mounting the imaging capsule on the first elongate tube comprises mounting the imaging capsule on a distal end of the first elongate tube.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein mounting the imaging capsule on the first elongate tube comprises mounting such that a distal end of the imaging capsule is less than 30 millimeters behind a distal tip of the elongate tube.

12. A method according to claim 1, comprising recharging a battery of the imaging capsule between insertions of the first and second elongate tubes into patients.

13. A method according to claim 1, comprising cleaning the imaging capsule between insertions of the first and second elongate tubes into patients.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the imaging capsule is not sterilized between insertions of the first and second elongate tubes into patients.

15. A method according to claim 1, comprising repeating the mounting and inserting for at least five different insertions into one or more patients.

16. A method according to claim 1, comprising repeating the mounting and inserting at least three times in a single day.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein mounting the imaging capsule comprises mounting such that the imaging capsule forms electrical contact with an electrical port within the elongate tube.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein mounting the imaging capsule comprises mounting so as to form a contact between a power supply outside of the imaging capsule and a unit within the imaging capsule utilizing power of the power supply.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein mounting the imaging capsule comprises mounting such that a transmitter within the imaging capsule forms a contact with an antenna in the elongate tube.

20. A method according to claim 17, wherein mounting the imaging capsule comprises mounting such that the imaging capsule forms electrical contact with wires leading along the elongate tube to a proximal end thereof.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein the elongate tube comprises at least one working channel adapted to allow passage of fluid or surgical tools into the patient.

22. A method according to claim 1, wherein disposing of the elongate tube comprises disposing of the tube together with a handle used for deflecting the elongate tube.

23. A method according to claim 1, comprising using a same handle for deflecting the first and second elongate tubes.

24. A method according to claim 1, wherein the elongate tube is rigid or semi-rigid.

25. A method according to claim 1, wherein mounting the imaging capsule comprises mounting without at least one of screws and bonding material.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein mounting the imaging capsule comprises mounting without use of screws.

27. A method according to claim 1, wherein mounting the imaging capsule comprises mounting without use of a bonding material.

28. An endoscope, comprising:

an optical imaging capsule including an optical image capturing unit; and

an elongate tube, having a distal end adapted for insertion into a body cavity, and adapted to receive the imaging capsule at a position in its distal half in a manner which prevents detachment of the capsule from the elongate tube while the capsule is in a body cavity, but allows release of the capsule from the elongate tube, when the tube is not in the body cavity,

wherein the elongate tube does not have power wires extending from a proximal point of the insertion tube to the position for receiving the imaging capsule, which operably connect to the imaging capsule.

29. An endoscope according to claim 28, wherein the optical imaging capsule includes a battery.

30. An endoscope according to claim 28, wherein the optical imaging capsule includes a port adapted to connect to a respective port in the elongate tube.

31. An endoscope according to claim 28, wherein the elongate tube defines a compartment adapted to receive the capsule, such that a distal wall of the elongate tube separates the capsule from tissue distal to the elongate tube.

32. An endoscope according to claim 31, wherein the elongate tube defines a compartment adapted to receive the capsule, such that the elongate tube entirely surrounds the capsule.

33. An endoscope according to claim 28, wherein the elongate tube does not have electrical wires extending from a proximal point of the insertion tube to the position for receiving the imaging capsule.

34. An endoscope, comprising:

an optical imaging capsule including an optical image capturing unit; and

an elongate tube, having a distal end adapted for insertion into a body cavity, and adapted to receive the imaging capsule at a position in its distal half in a manner which prevents detachment of the capsule from the elongate tube while a distal end of the elongate tube is in a body cavity, without requiring at least one of screws and bonding material, but allows release of the capsule from the elongate tube, when the tube is not in the body cavity.

35-45. -45. (canceled)

46. An endoscope, comprising:

an imaging capsule including;

an optical image capturing unit; and

at least one of a LED, a battery and a wireless transmission unit adapted to operate in conjunction with the image capturing unit; and

an elongate tube adapted for insertion into a body cavity, and adapted to removably receive the imaging capsule in a manner which prevents movement of the capsule relative to the elongate tube while a distal end of the elongate tube is in a body cavity.

47-57. -57. (canceled)

58. A disposable elongate probe for invasive medical procedures, comprising:

an elongate tube adapted for insertion into a body cavity;

a proximal handle;

at least one working channel extending along the elongate tube;

at least one steering control allowing manipulation of a direction of the elongate tube from the proximal handle; and

at least one compartment at a distal portion of the elongate tube, adapted to receive an imaging capsule in a manner which prevents its release while the elongate tube is within a patient, but allows mounting of the capsule in the compartment without use of at least one of screws, tools and a bonding material.

59. An imaging capsule for use with a disposable elongate probe, comprising:

a housing having at least one outer surface not suitable for movement within a body cavity while contacting body tissue;

an optical image capturing unit within the housing; and

at least one electrical unit adapted to operate in conjunction with the image capturing unit.

60-61. -61. (canceled)