Branched endoscope system
First Claim
1. A branched endoscope system for providing a view of the surgical cavity, comprising:
- a first endoscope branch steering control mechanism;
a second endoscope branch steering control mechanism;
a first endoscope branch having a steerable distal end and including a first image receiver generating a first image signal, said steerable distal end of said first endoscope branch being responsive to said first endoscope branch steering control mechanism by moving to a desired orientation;
a second endoscope branch having a steerable distal end and including a second image receiver generating a second image signal, said steerable distal end of said second endoscope branch being responsive to said second endoscope branch steering control mechanism by moving to a desired configuration; and
said second endoscope branch steering control mechanism and said first endoscope branch steering control mechanism being operable independently of one another resulting in independent movement of the steerable distal ends of the first and second endoscone branches while the first and second endoscope branches being sized and adapted for insertion into the surgical cavity through a single portal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscope has two or more branches and each branch may include a source of illumination and a lens train, fiber optic bundle, or solid state image receiving device. Each branch end is independently manipulable or steerable and thus produces an image from a distinct point of view within the body (e.g., front and side views); the images are juxtaposed on a video monitor for simultaneous viewing by the surgeon. Each branch also includes an operating channel or cannula through which various surgical instruments are passed. A first branch may be used to pass an instrument to the situs of a surgical procedure and a second branch may be used to view that situs from a second, separate point of view. Additionally, the second branch may be used to introduce a second surgical instrument through the second branch cannula to approach the situs of the procedure from the angle of the second branch.
470 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A branched endoscope system for providing a view of the surgical cavity, comprising:
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a first endoscope branch steering control mechanism; a second endoscope branch steering control mechanism; a first endoscope branch having a steerable distal end and including a first image receiver generating a first image signal, said steerable distal end of said first endoscope branch being responsive to said first endoscope branch steering control mechanism by moving to a desired orientation; a second endoscope branch having a steerable distal end and including a second image receiver generating a second image signal, said steerable distal end of said second endoscope branch being responsive to said second endoscope branch steering control mechanism by moving to a desired configuration; and said second endoscope branch steering control mechanism and said first endoscope branch steering control mechanism being operable independently of one another resulting in independent movement of the steerable distal ends of the first and second endoscone branches while the first and second endoscope branches being sized and adapted for insertion into the surgical cavity through a single portal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for viewing an endoscopic operation within the body, comprising:
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introducing a branched endoscope having a first branch and a second branch into a body cavity, each of the first and second branches having a steerable distal end, respective ones of the steerable distal ends being independently steerable relative to one another; steering the steerable distal end of the first endoscope branch into proximity with a site for surgery; steering the steerable distal end of the second endoscope branch into a viewing orientation permitting visibility of the steerable distal end of the first endoscope branch.
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8. A method for viewing an endoscopic operation within the body, comprising:
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introducing a branched endoscope having a first branch and a second branch into a body cavity, each of the first and second branches having a steerable distal end, respective ones of the steerable distal ends being independently steerable relative to one another; steering the steerable distal end of the first endoscope branch into proximity with a site for surgery providing visibility of the site for surgery from a first perspective; and steering the steerable distal end of the second endoscope branch into a viewing orientation permitting visibility of the site for surgery from a second perspective.
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9. A branched endoscope system for providing a view of the surgical cavity, comprising:
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an endoscope branch steering control mechanism; a first endoscope branch having a steerable distal end and including a first image receiver generating a first image signal, said steerable distal end of said first endoscope branch being responsive to said endoscope branch steering control mechanism by moving to a desired orientation; and a second endoscope branch having a steerable distal end and including a second image receiver generating a second image signal whereby the first and second endoscope branches are sized and adapted for insertion into the surgical cavity through a single portal and are independently steerable relative to one another by the endoscope branch steering control mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification