ENDOSCOPE WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL EXTENDIBLE ARMS AND ENDOSCOPIC INSTRUMENT WITH INTEGRATED IMAGE CAPTURE FOR USE THEREWITH

• US 20140094655A1
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Published: 04/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endopodium, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Endopodium, Inc.
• Inventors: Newman, Allen
• Granted Patent: US 9,717,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00097 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00174 characterised by the viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00181 for multiple fixed viewing angles A61B1/00193 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00183 for variable viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0605 for spatially modulated illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3482 inside
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3484 Anchoring means, e.g. spreading-out umbrella-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3492 against the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0233 specifically adapted for attaching to a body wall by means which are on both sides of the wall, e.g. for attaching to an abdominal wall

Abstract

An endoscope and methods of use thereof are provided, which includes at least one multi-functional extending arm supporting a plurality of imaging, lighting and other sensory elements. The arms provide a mounting platform upon which cameras, lights and sensors may be mounted to generate multiple-angled images and video, arena-like lighting and other data for performing a minimally-invasive surgical (MIS) procedure. The arms may be inserted through a single portal in the endoscope and extended outward in multiple directions from the single portal once inserted into a body cavity. The endoscope may also include support arms which support the extending arms within the body cavity and a stabilization plate which anchors the endoscope to an external surface of the body. An endoscopic tool with optical, lighting and other sensors integrated into a functional end is also provided.

Claims

1. An endoscope with a multifunctional extending arm, comprising:

a central shaft with a distal end and a proximal end, and configured to be inserted through a cannula and into a body cavity;

at least one extendible arm configured at the distal end of the central shaft, wherein the at least one extendible arm is configured to extend away from the central shaft when the distal end has protruded through the cannula and into the body cavity;

wherein the at least one extendible arm is configured with at least one sensor element.

2. The endoscope of claim 1, further comprising at least one support arm extending away from the central shaft and proximal to the at least one extendible arm, wherein the at least one support arm is disposed against an interior surface of the body cavity wall.

3. The endoscope of claim 2, further comprising a stabilization plate positioned around a circumference of the cannula and disposed against an exterior surface of the body cavity wall.

4. The endoscope of claim 3, wherein the stabilization plate is in positional communication with the at least one support arm such that rotational movement of the stabilization plate causes rotational movement of the at least one support arm.

5. The endoscope of claim 3, wherein the stabilization plate is in locking communication with the at least one support arm such that locking the stabilization plate into place against the exterior surface of the body cavity wall causes the at least one support arm to lock in place against the interior surface of the body cavity.

6. The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the sensor element is an image capture device.

7. The endoscope of claim 6, wherein the extendible arm is further configured with a lighting element.

8. The endoscope of claim 7, wherein the at least one sensor element includes at least one of:

an infrared sensor, a fluorescence sensor, an electrical signal sensor and a motion sensor.

9. An endoscopic tool with integrated sensors, comprising:

an endoscopic tool with a distal end and a proximal end;

a handle positioned on the proximal end; and

at least one image sensor positioned on the distal end.