Multi-function endoscope apparatus

• US 5,419,312 A
• Filed: 04/20/1993
• Issued: 05/30/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Michigan (University of Michigan)
• Original Assignee: Wildflower Communications, Inc.
• Inventors: Flock, Stephen T., Waner, Milton, Arenberg, Irving K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEUBECKER, JOHN P
• Application Number:
  US08/050,555
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: 128/4-10, 128/664, 128/665, 128/693, 128/736, 128/741, 128/748, 128/772, 128/675, 385/117, 385/116, 606/15-16, 606/11, 604/20, 607/89, 607/93, 607/88, 73/356
• US Class Current: 600/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/313 for introducing through surgical openings, e.g. laparoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive

Abstract

A multi-function endoscope capable of insertion within a body cavity for treatment/diagnostic purposes. The endoscope includes a flexible probe having an optical fiber connected to a laser light source, an optical fiber bundle connected to an illuminating light source, and another optical fiber bundle with a focusing lens thereon connected to a viewing system. The probe further includes an optical fiber having a sensor system associated therewith for making temperature and fluid pressure measurements within the body cavity. Also included are fluid conduits through the probe, and detecting wires for receiving electrical potentials from body cavity tissues. Finally, the probe includes steering wires which, when moved, cause probe movement. The steering wires are moved using a manipulator system consisting of stepper motors connected to a computer controller.

Claims

1. An endoscope apparatus for use in analyzing, treating, and diagnosing conditions within a body cavity comprising:

a flexible probe having a medial portion, a first end, and a second end, said first end of said probe being sized for placement within said body cavity;

laser light supply means operatively connected to said probe for delivering laser light to said probe;

first light transmission means positioned within said medial portion of said probe for receiving said laser light from said laser light supply means, said first light transmission means being operatively connected to said laser light supply means in order to receive said laser light therefrom, said laser light being delivered by said first light transmission means to said body cavity when said first end of said probe is positioned therein;

primary illumination means operatively connected to said probe for delivering illuminating light thereto;

second light transmission means positioned within said medial portion of said probe for receiving said illuminating light from said primary illumination means, said second light transmission means being operatively connected to said primary illumination means in order to receive said illuminating light therefrom, said illuminating light being delivered by said second light transmission means to said body cavity when said first end of said probe is positioned therein;

third light transmission means positioned within said medial portion of said probe for receiving visual images from said body cavity, said visual images being generated by said illuminating light delivered from said second light transmission means into said body cavity;

observation means operatively connected to said third light transmission means for enabling said visual images received from said third light transmission means to be viewed by an operator of said endoscope apparatus;

secondary illumination means operatively connected to said probe for delivering additional light thereto;

fourth light transmission means positioned within said medial portion of said probe and operatively connected to said secondary illumination means for receiving said additional light from said secondary illumination means;

temperature and fluid pressure sensing means operatively connected to said fourth light transmission means for determining temperature and fluid pressure levels within said body cavity;

tissue potential sensing means positioned within said medial portion of said probe for receiving electrical potentials from tissue materials within said body cavity, said tissue potential sensing means comprising at least one elongate electrically conductive metallic primary wire member positioned within said medial portion of said probe, with at least a portion of said primary wire member extending outwardly from said first end of said probe, said portion of said primary wire member being exposed so that said portion of said primary wire member can directly contact tissue materials; and

detection means for detecting and analyzing said electrical potentials from said tissue materials within said body cavity, said detection means being operatively connected to said tissue potential sensing means.

2. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1 wherein said

fourth light transmission means comprises at least one elongate optical fiber positioned within said medial portion of said probe, said optical fiber comprising a first end and a second end, and said temperature and fluid pressure sensing means comprises at least one liquid crystal secured to said first end of said optical fiber, said second end of said optical fiber being operatively connected to said secondary illumination means so that said optical fiber may receive said additional light from said secondary illumination means, said additional light passing through said optical fiber and striking said liquid crystal, said liquid crystal thereafter reflecting at least a portion of said additional light back through said optical fiber toward said second end thereof in an amount dependent on temperature and fluid pressure levels within said body cavity, said endoscope apparatus further comprising monitoring means operatively connected to said second end of said optical fiber for detecting and analyzing said portion of said additional light which is reflected back through said optical fiber by said liquid crystal.

3. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1 wherein said

fourth light transmission means comprises at least one elongate optical fiber positioned within said medial portion of said probe, said optical fiber comprising a first end and a second end, and said temperature and fluid pressure sensing means comprises a portion of fluorescent material affixed to said first end of said optical fiber, said second end of said optical fiber being operatively connected to said secondary illumination means so that said optical fiber may receive said additional light from said secondary illumination means, said additional light passing through said optical fiber and striking said portion of fluorescent material, said portion of fluorescent material thereafter generating fluorescent light in response to said additional light coming in contact therewith, said fluorescent light being generated in an amount dependent on temperature and fluid pressure levels within said body cavity, said fluorescent light travelling back through said optical fiber toward said second end thereof, said endoscope apparatus further comprising monitoring means operatively connected to said second end of said optical fiber for detecting and analyzing said fluorescent light which travels back through said optical fiber.

4. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1 further comprising steering means positioned within said medial portion of said probe for manipulating and moving said probe within said body cavity, said steering means comprising a plurality of elongate secondary wire members positioned within said medial portion of said probe, each of said secondary wire members being secured to said probe at said first end of said probe, whereby exertion of force on any of said elongate secondary wire members causes movement of said probe.

5. The endoscope apparatus of claim 4 further comprising manipulator means for selectively exerting force on each of said elongate secondary wire members in order to manipulate and move said probe within said body cavity.

6. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1 wherein said observation means comprises a binocular microscope.

7. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1 further comprising protection means for preventing passage of any of said laser light from said laser light supply means into said observation means when said laser light supply means is in operation, said protection means comprising a pivotally movable mirror member positioned in front of said laser light supply means, said mirror member being oriented in a horizontal position when blockage of laser light from said laser light supply means is not desired and oriented in an upwardly tilted position when blockage of laser light from said laser light supply means is desired.

8. An endoscope apparatus for use in analyzing, treating, and diagnosing conditions within a body cavity comprising:

a flexible probe having a medial portion, a first end, and a second end, said first end of said probe being sized for placement within said body cavity;

laser light supply means operatively connected to said probe for delivering laser light thereto;

first light transmission means positioned within said medial portion of said probe for receiving said laser light from said laser light supply means, said first light transmission means comprising at least one elongate primary optical fiber positioned within said medial portion of said probe, said primary optical fiber being operatively connected to said laser light supply means in order to receive said laser light therefrom, said laser light being delivered by said first light transmission means to said body cavity when said first end of said probe is positioned therein;

primary illumination means operatively connected to said probe for delivering illuminating light thereto;

second light transmission means positioned within said medial portion of said probe for receiving said illuminating light from said primary illumination means, said second light transmission means comprising a primary bundle of individual elongate optical fibers, said primary bundle being operatively connected to said primary illumination means in order to receive said illuminating light therefrom, said illuminating light being delivered by said second light transmission means to said body cavity when said first end of said probe is positioned therein;

third light transmission means positioned within said medial portion of said probe for receiving visual images from said body cavity, said visual images being generated by said illuminating light delivered from said second light transmission means into said body cavity, said third light transmission means comprising a secondary bundle of individual elongate optical fibers, said secondary bundle comprising a first end and a second end, said first end of said secondary bundle comprising a transparent cap member secured thereto, said transparent cap member functioning as a lens for directing said illuminating light into said secondary bundle from said body cavity;

observation means operatively connected to said third light transmission means for enabling said visual images received from said third light transmission means to be viewed by an operator of said endoscope apparatus;

protection means for preventing passage of any of said laser light from said laser light supply means into said observation means when said laser light supply means is in operation, said protection means comprising a pivotally movable mirror member positioned in front of said laser light supply means, said mirror member being oriented in a horizontal position when blockage of laser light from said laser light supply means is not desired and oriented in an upwardly tilted position when blockage of laser light from said laser light supply means is desired;

secondary illumination means operatively connected to said probe for delivering additional light thereto;

fourth light transmission means positioned within said medial portion of said probe for receiving said additional light from said secondary illumination means, said fourth light transmission means comprising at least one elongate secondary optical fiber positioned within said medial portion of said probe, said secondary optical fiber comprising a first end and a second end, said second end of said secondary optical fiber being operatively connected to said secondary illumination means;

temperature and fluid pressure sensing means operatively connected to said fourth light transmission means for determining temperature and fluid pressure levels within said body cavity;

fluid transmission means within said medial portion of said probe for delivering fluid materials to and from said body cavity through said probe, said fluid transmission means comprising at least one continuous passageway through said probe from said first end of said probe to said second end of said probe;

tissue potential sensing means positioned within said medial portion of said probe for receiving electrical potentials from tissue materials within said body cavity, said tissue potential sensing means comprising at least one elongate electrically conductive metallic primary wire member positioned within said medial portion of said probe, with at least a portion of said primary wire member extending outwardly from said first end of said probe, said portion of said primary wire member being exposed so that said portion of said primary wire member can directly contact tissue materials;

detection means for detecting and analyzing said electrical potentials from said tissue materials within said body cavity, said detection means being operatively connected to said tissue potential sensing means;

steering means positioned within said medial portion of said probe for manipulating and moving said probe within said body cavity, said steering means comprising a plurality of elongate secondary wire members positioned within said medial portion of said probe, each of said secondary wire members being secured to said probe at said first end of said probe, whereby exertion of force on any of said secondary wire members causes movement of said probe; and

manipulator means for selectively exerting force on each of said elongate secondary wire members in order to manipulate and move said probe within said body cavity.

9. The endoscope apparatus of claim 8 wherein said temperature and fluid pressure sensing means comprises:

at least one liquid crystal secured to said first end of said secondary optical fiber, said additional light from said secondary illumination means passing through said secondary optical fiber and striking said liquid crystal, said liquid crystal thereafter reflecting at least a portion of said additional light back through said secondary optical fiber toward said second end of said secondary optical fiber in an amount dependent on temperature and fluid pressure levels within said body cavity, said endoscope apparatus further comprising monitoring means operatively connected to said second end of said secondary optical fiber for detecting and analyzing said portion of said additional light which is reflected back through said secondary optical fiber by said liquid crystal.

10. The endoscope apparatus of claim 8 wherein said temperature and fluid pressure sensing means comprises:

a portion of fluorescent material affixed to said first end of said secondary optical fiber, said additional light from said secondary illumination means passing through said secondary optical fiber and striking said portion of fluorescent material, said portion of fluorescent material thereafter generating fluorescent light in response to said additional light coming in contact therewith, said fluorescent light being generated in an amount dependent on temperature and fluid pressure levels within said body cavity, said fluorescent light travelling back through said secondary optical fiber toward said second end of said secondary optical fiber, said endoscope apparatus further comprising monitoring means operatively connected to said second end of said secondary optical fiber for detecting and analyzing said fluorescent light passing back through said secondary optical fiber.

11. The endoscope apparatus of claim 8 wherein said observation means comprises a binocular microscope.

12. An endoscope apparatus for use in analyzing, treating, and diagnosing conditions within a body cavity comprising:

a flexible probe having an exterior surface, a medial portion, a first end, and a second end, said first end of said probe being sized for placement within said body cavity;

tissue potential sensing means positioned within said medial portion of said probe for receiving electrical potentials from tissue materials within said body cavity, said tissue potential sensing means comprising at least one elongate electrically conductive metallic wire member positioned within said medial portion of said probe, with at least a portion of said wire member extending outwardly from said first end of said probe, said portion of said wire member being exposed so that said portion of said wire member can directly contact tissue materials;

steering means operatively attached to said exterior surface of said probe for manipulating and moving said probe within said body cavity, said steering means comprising a plurality of elongate bands each being comprised of piezoelectric material and affixed to said exterior surface of said probe between said first end of said probe and said second end of said probe, whereby application of electricity to said bands causes said bands and said probe having said bands thereon to move; and

detection means for detecting and analyzing said electrical potentials from said tissue materials within said body cavity, said detection means being operatively connected to said tissue potential sensing means.