ENDOSCOPE WITH SHARED WORKING CHANNEL

• US 20170224378A1
• Filed: 04/10/2017
• Published: 08/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mor Research Applications Ltd. (Clalit Health Services)
• Original Assignee: Morena Medical Applications Ltd.
• Inventors: IGOV, IGOR
• Granted Patent: US 10,441,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0014 Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00181 for multiple fixed viewing angles A61B1/00193 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/053 being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/06 with illuminating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/128 provided with means for regulating temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320758 with a rotating cutting instrument, e.g. motor driven A61B17/320725, A61B17/32075 and A61B17/320783 take precedence; for removing intra-ocular material A61F9/00763; endoscopic rotatable cutting instruments A61B17/32002
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3423 Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands access sites for liquids A61M39/0247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3478 Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00269 endoscopic mucosal resection EMR
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00287 Bags for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0034 : adapted to be inserted through a working channel of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00566 : fixation of form upon application of vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22051 : with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22065 : Functions of balloons dilating A61M29/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22069 : Immobilising; Stabilising
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 : holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320048 : Balloon dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320775 : Morcellators, impeller or propeller like means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 : open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00047 : using Peltier effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 : of the patient or his organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/371 : with simultaneous use of two cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 : with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 : with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/30 : Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 : Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1015 : having two or more independently movable balloons where the distance between the balloons can be adjusted, e.g. two balloon catheters concentric to each other forming an adjustable multiple balloon catheter system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1011 : Multiple balloon catheters

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for opening a workspace inside a lumen of a living creature are disclosed. Anchors may be affixed to opposite ends of the workspace. An extender may be distance anchors apart while they are affixed to the walls of the workspace. Distancing the anchors may unfold and/or stretch the lumen in the region of the workspace.

Claims

1. A catheter for transporting a tool between the outside of a living creature and a lumen inside the living creature, comprising:

a working channel extending along a longitudinal axis of the catheter, the working channel including a proximal opening for allowing access from outside of the living creature and a distal opening for positioning inside a lumen of the living creature;

at least one elongated guide extending along the catheter and of which a portion of the at least one elongated guide is in communication with a portion of the working channel; and

an outer sleeve extending along the longitudinal axis of the catheter, the outer sleeve comprising a mount to support a tool.

2. The catheter according to claim 1, comprising a slit for allowing communication between the portion of the at least on elongated guide and the portion of the working channel.

3. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the elongated guide is narrower than the working channel.

4. The catheter according to claim 1, comprising a carriage connectable to the at least one elongated guide.

5. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the carriage and the at least elongated guide are configured to allow conveying the tool through the working channel from outside the living creature to the lumen inside the living creature.

6. The catheter according to claim 4, wherein the carriage is flexible enough to follow curves in the working channel.

7. The catheter according to claim 4, wherein the carriage is configured to move the tool out of the working channel such that the working channel is unblocked for allowing the deployment of an additional tool.

8. The catheter according to claim 7, wherein the carriage is configured to mount the tool on the mount and to return the tool back into the working channel.

9. The catheter according to claim 1, comprising a tube configured to supply cooling fluid to a tool to be cooled, the tool being located in the working channel.

10. The catheter according to claim 1, comprising a heat exchanger for cooling the fluid.

11. The catheter according to claim 9, wherein the tube comprises a plurality of cooling tubes surrounding the tool to be cooled.

12. The catheter according to claim 1, comprising a steerable frame that includes a spine extending along an edge of the catheter.

13. The catheter according to claim 12, the spine comprising a series of elements that act as ribs and further comprising spacers connecting the elements with each other.

14. The catheter according to claim 12, wherein the spine extends along a single edge of the catheter.

15. The catheter according to claim 12, wherein the series of elements are connected with each other by a combination of vertically and horizontally oriented joints such that the series of element are controllably bendable in any direction.

16. The catheter according to claim 12, comprising an immobilizing system including joints and a collection of different sized balls, wherein the joints are reversibly immobilizable by a collection of the different sized balls.

17. The catheter according to claim 16, wherein the balls are packed between one or more of the following:

frame elements, and around a frame element.

18. The catheter according to claim 16, wherein the balls are arranged such to be immobilizable by applying a vacuum where the balls are located to collapse the space between the elements, and wherein the balls are re-mobilizable by allowing air to enter between the elements.