Video hysteroscope
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A flexible video hysteroscope for the observation and treatment of abnormalities in the uterus of a female patient, comprising an insertion tube which includes a flexible elongated tubular member having a flexible outer sheath;
- a viewing head at the distal end of the tubular member and including imaging means in said head for viewing from said head;
a biopsy channel extending within said tubular member to the distal and thereof and through said head, in which channel an elongated flexible laser fiber cable can be inserted to pass up to and out from said head, said laser fiber cable and biopsy channel defining a substantially annular fluid drainage channel that extends from the head to the proximal end of said elongated tubular member;
a saline injection channel extending within said flexible tubular member to the distal end thereof and having means to receive a continuous flow of aqueous saline solution and an outlet port in said head directing the flow of saline solution distally therefrom; and
an articulation section joining the head and the flexible tubular member and permitting controlled bending of the head with respect to the flexible tubular member, the bending being limited to a maximum angular deflection that corresponds to an angle at which horns of the uterus attach to the body thereof.
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Abstract
A video hysteroscope has an elongated flexible insertion tube containing a video imager head at its distal end, with a channel for a surgical laser fiber and a saline channel which emits a continuous stream of saline solution distally from the head. The articulation section is kept as short as possible, and is limited to a maximum deflection of about 30 degrees to match the geometry of the uterus.
87 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A flexible video hysteroscope for the observation and treatment of abnormalities in the uterus of a female patient, comprising an insertion tube which includes a flexible elongated tubular member having a flexible outer sheath;
- a viewing head at the distal end of the tubular member and including imaging means in said head for viewing from said head;
a biopsy channel extending within said tubular member to the distal and thereof and through said head, in which channel an elongated flexible laser fiber cable can be inserted to pass up to and out from said head, said laser fiber cable and biopsy channel defining a substantially annular fluid drainage channel that extends from the head to the proximal end of said elongated tubular member;
a saline injection channel extending within said flexible tubular member to the distal end thereof and having means to receive a continuous flow of aqueous saline solution and an outlet port in said head directing the flow of saline solution distally therefrom; and
an articulation section joining the head and the flexible tubular member and permitting controlled bending of the head with respect to the flexible tubular member, the bending being limited to a maximum angular deflection that corresponds to an angle at which horns of the uterus attach to the body thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- a viewing head at the distal end of the tubular member and including imaging means in said head for viewing from said head;
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12. A method of treating a uterine abnormality comprising inserting through the cervix of a uterus of a female patient a flexible video hysteroscope that includes a flexible elongated tubular member having a flexible outer sheath, a viewing head at the distal end of the tubular member and including imaging means in said head for viewing from said head, a biopsy channel within said tubular member and extending within said tubular member to the distal end thereof and through said head, in which channel an elongated flexible laser fiber cable is inserted to extend up to and out from said head at an exit port therein, the laser fiber cable and biopsy channel defining a substantially annular fluid drainage channel that extends from said exit port to the proximal end of said elongated tubular member, a saline injection channel extending within said flexible tubular member to the distal end thereof and having means to receive a continuous flow of an aqueous saline solution and an outlet port in said head directing a flow of said saline solution distally therefrom, and an articulation section joining the head and the flexible tubular member and permitting controlled bending of the head with respect to the flexible tubular member, the bending being limited to a maximum angle on the order of about 30 degrees;
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injecting said saline solution continuously through said saline injection channel into the uterus to inflate the same; steering said head by selectively bending said articulation section until said abnormality is at a predetermined position in the viewing field of said imager; and irradiating said abnormality with laser radiation by means of the laser fiber cable in said biopsy channel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification