Method and apparatus for bile duct exploration
First Claim
1. A method of examining the bile duct of a patient utilizing an endoscope having a probe including a light fiber bundle, a viewing fiber bundle, an irrigating channel and a malleable stylet channel comprising the steps of shaping the distal end of a malleable stylet to a curved configuration so as to fit within the cystic duct of a patient, opening the cystic duct of the patient and inserting the distal end of the endoscope probe within the opened cystic duct, moving the distal end of the probe into the bile duct and examining the bile duct through the viewing fiber bundle.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for exploration of the bile duct is provided wherein an endoscope having a probe of sufficiently small diameter to be inserted into the cystic duct is utilized. The probe has channels therein including conventional illuminating, viewing and irrigation facilities. In addition, a separate passageway is provided for a malleable stylet. This malleable stylet gives the scope the necessary rigidity and shape to be introduced and controlled precisely within the bile duct while at the same time allows the scope to be individually reconfigured as needed during an operation to meet the particular anatomical needs of a patient.
101 Citations
4 Claims
- 1. A method of examining the bile duct of a patient utilizing an endoscope having a probe including a light fiber bundle, a viewing fiber bundle, an irrigating channel and a malleable stylet channel comprising the steps of shaping the distal end of a malleable stylet to a curved configuration so as to fit within the cystic duct of a patient, opening the cystic duct of the patient and inserting the distal end of the endoscope probe within the opened cystic duct, moving the distal end of the probe into the bile duct and examining the bile duct through the viewing fiber bundle.
Specification