Surgical devices with removable imaging capability and methods of employing same

• US 6,086,528 A
• Filed: 09/11/1997
• Issued: 07/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micro-Medical Devices, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Edwin L. Adair
• Inventors: Adair, Edwin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US08/927,785
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 600/104, 600/105, 600/102, 600/112, 600/114, 600/115, 600/116, 600/182, 600/129, 600/109, 600/160, 600/110, 600/130, 348/65, 348/71, 348/76
• US Class Current: 600/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00087 Tools A61B17/00234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion

Abstract

Surgical devices with removable imaging capability and methods are disclosed. The imaging capability for the surgical devices are provided by a very small microendoscope having processor circuitry at the distal end for providing a video ready signal to a monitor. Because of the small size of the microendoscope, it can be used in conjunction with many surgical instruments which traditionally do not have integral imaging capability. In one application, the microendoscope may be used with Jackson grasping forceps. In another application, the microendoscope may be used with either a stent placement catheter or balloon catheter. In yet another application, the microendoscope may be used with an over-tube tissue separating, dissecting or fulgeration device. The application of the microendoscope with each of the above surgical instruments results in a unique method of performing a surgical task by providing imaging capability throughout all stages of introducing and removing the instruments from within the body of a patient.

Claims

1. A surgical device with removable imaging capability for use at a surgical site, said surgical device comprising:

a microendoscope including an elongate sheath having a peripheral wall and a central passageway formed therethrough, an imaging sensor placed within said central passageway at a distal end of said sheath, circuitry means placed adjacent said imaging sensor at said distal end and extending along said central passageway such that said circuitry means does not extend circumferentially beyond said imaging sensor, conducting means interconnecting said imaging sensor to said circuitry means for transferring electrical signals from said imaging sensor to said circuitry means, and a conductor interconnecting said circuitry means for providing a video ready signal to a video control device which enables a viewer to view visual images captured by said imaging sensor of the surgical site;

grasping forceps including an instrument channel having a central opening formed therethrough, grasping tines having proximal ends connected to one another and distal ends spaced apart a desired distance, said proximal ends being inserted through said central opening, a first member having a distal end attached to said proximal ends of said grasping tines, a second member having a distal end attached to said instrument channel and said second member being pivotally connected to said first member, said first member being movable with respect to said second member to move said grasping tines longitudinally within said instrument channel to cause said distal ends of said grasping tines to be pressed together when entering said central opening or to be spaced apart when exiting said central opening; and

an endoscope tube attached exteriorly of said instrument channel for receiving said microendoscope such that said microendoscope may provide a visual image as said grasping forceps are manipulated within the body of a patient.

2. A device, as claimed in claim 1, farther including:

a lens within said passageway of said elongate sheath to condition the image of the surgical site prior to being received by said imaging sensor.

3. A device, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a plurality of longitudinal channels formed within said peripheral wall of said elongate sheath; and

at least one light fiber in one of said plurality of longitudinal channels and extending to said distal end of said elongate sheath, said light fiber communicating with a source of light to illuminate the surgical area under observation.

4. A surgical device with removable imaging capability for use at a surgical site, said surgical device comprising:

a microendoscope including an elongate sheath having a peripheral wall and a central passageway formed therethrough, an imaging sensor placed within said central passageway at a distal end of said sheath, processor circuitry means placed adjacent said imaging sensor at said distal end and extending along said central passageway such that said circuitry means does not extend circumferentially beyond said imaging sensor, conducting means interconnecting said imaging sensor to said processor circuitry means for transferring electrical signals from said imaging sensor to said processor circuitry means, and a conductor directly interconnecting said processor circuitry means for providing a video ready signal to a video control device which enables a viewer to view visual images captured by said imaging sensor of the surgical site; and

a stent placement catheter including a tube having a central opening formed therethrough, a stent coil positioned at a distal end of said tube and exteriorly thereof, at least one control wire connected to said stent coil, said at least one control wire extending longitudinally along said tube, said microendoscope being insertable through said central opening such that said microendoscope may provide a visual image as said catheter is manipulated within the body of a patient.

5. A device, as claimed in claim 4, further including:

a lens within said passageway of said elongate sheath to condition the image of the surgical site prior to being received by said imaging sensor.

6. A device, as claimed in claim 4, further including:

a plurality of longitudinal channels formed within said peripheral wall of said elongate sheath; and

at least one light fiber in one of said plurality of longitudinal channels and extending to said distal end of said elongate sheath, said light fiber communicating with a source of light to illuminate the surgical area under observation.

7. A surgical device with removable imaging capability for use at a surgical site, said surgical device comprising:

a microendoscope including an elongate sheath having a peripheral wall and a central passageway formed therethrough, an imaging sensor placed within said central passageway at a distal end of said sheath, circuitry means placed adjacent said imaging sensor at said distal end and extending along said central passageway such that said circuitry means does not extend circumferentially beyond said imaging sensor, conducting means interconnecting said imaging sensor to said circuitry means for transferring electrical signals from said imaging sensor to said circuitry means, and a conductor interconnecting said circuitry means for providing a video ready signal to a video control device which enables a viewer to view visual images captured by said imaging sensor of the surgical site; and

an over-tube device including a guide tube having a central opening formed therethrough, an extension connected to a distal end of said over-tube device and extending distally thereof, and a tissue contacting member attached to said extension for manipulating the tissue of a patient, said microendoscope being insertable through said central opening enabling said microendoscope to view said tissue contacting member and the surrounding surgical area as tissue manipulation occurs.

8. A device, as claimed in claim 7, further including:

a lens within said passageway of said elongate sheath to condition the image of the surgical site prior to being received by said imaging sensor.

9. A device, as claimed in claim 7, further including:

a plurality of longitudinal channels formed within said peripheral wall of said elongate sheath; and

at least one light fiber in one of said plurality of longitudinal channels and extending to said distal end of said elongate sheath, said light fiber communicating with a source of light to illuminate the surgical area under observation.

10. A device, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said tissue contacting member is a separating bead having a spherical shape especially adapted for tissue separation.

11. A device, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said tissue contacting member is a hook-shaped structure enabling tissue cutting.

12. A surgical device with removable imaging capability for use at a surgical site, said surgical device comprising:

a microendoscope including an elongate sheath having a peripheral wall and a central passageway formed therethrough, an imaging sensor placed within said central passageway at a distal end of said sheath, processor circuitry means placed adjacent said imaging sensor at said distal end and extending along said central passageway such that said circuitry means does not extend circumferentially beyond said imaging sensor, conducting means interconnecting said imaging sensor to said processor circuitry means for transferring electrical signals from said imaging sensor to said processor circuitry means, and a conductor directly interconnecting said processor circuitry means for providing a video ready signal to a video control device which enables a viewer to view visual images captured by said imaging sensor of the surgical site; and

a balloon catheter including a guide tube having a distal end, a periphery, and a central opening formed therethrough, a balloon attached around said distal end and said periphery of said guide tube, at least one hole formed through said distal end of said guide tube, a means to introduce gas through said at least one hole, said introducing means communicating with a source of air to inflate said balloon, wherein said microendoscope is insertable through said central opening to enable the microendoscope to provide a visual image as said balloon catheter is manipulated within the body of a patient.

13. A device, as claimed in claim 12, further including:

a lens within said passageway of said elongate sheath to condition the image of the surgical site prior to being received by said imaging sensor.

14. A device, as claimed in claim 12, further including:

a plurality of longitudinal channels formed within said peripheral wall of said elongate sheath; and

at least one light fiber in one of said plurality of longitudinal channels and extending to said distal end of said elongate sheath, said light fiber communicating with a source of light to illuminate the surgical area under observation.

15. A device, as claimed in claim 12, further including:

a stop cock placed in line with said introducing means to control flow of air through said at least one hole.

16. A method of placing a stent at a desired site within the body of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a catheter including a central opening and a stent attached at the distal end of the catheter;

inserting a microendoscope through the central opening of the catheter, said microendoscope including an elongate sheath having a peripheral wall and a central passageway formed therethrough, an imaging sensor placed within said central passageway at a distal end of said sheath, processor circuitry means placed adjacent said imaging sensor at said distal end and extending along said central passageway such that said circuitry means does not extend circumferentially beyond said imaging sensor, conducting means interconnecting said imaging sensor to said processor circuitry means for transferring electrical signals from said imaging sensor to said processor circuitry means, and a conductor directly interconnecting said processor circuitry means for providing a video ready signal to a video control device which enables a viewer to view visual images captured by said imaging sensor of the surgical site;

inserting the catheter containing the microendoscope into the body of a patient;

viewing the body of the patient by images produced from the microendoscope as the catheter is moved therethrough;

locating the desired site to which the stent is to be placed by means of the images produced from the microendoscope;

activating the stent at the desired site; and

withdrawing the catheter and microendoscope from within the body of the patient.

17. A method, as claimed in claim 16, further including the step of:

recording the images produced from the microendoscope by means of a computer.

18. A method of placing a balloon catheter at a desired location within the body of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a catheter having a central opening and a balloon attached to a distal end of the catheter;

inserting a microendoscope through the central opening of the catheter, said microendoscope including an elongate sheath having a peripheral wall and a central passageway formed therethrough, an imaging sensor placed within said central passageway at a distal end of said sheath, processor circuitry means placed adjacent said imaging sensor at said distal end and extending along said central passageway such that said circuitry means does not extend circumferentially beyond said imaging sensor, conducting means interconnecting said imaging sensor to said processor circuitry means for transferring electrical signals from said imaging sensor to said processor circuitry means and a conductor directly interconnecting said processor circuitry means for providing a video ready signal to a video control device which enables a viewer to view visual images captured by said imaging sensor of the surgical site;

inserting the catheter containing the microendoscope within the body of the patient;

viewing the body of the patient as the catheter is moved through the body by means of visual images produced from the microendoscope;

locating the desired surgical area by means of the images produced from the microendoscope;

activating the balloon of the balloon catheter within a bodily passage of the patient at the desired surgical area;

withdrawing the microendoscope from within the central opening of the balloon catheter; and

introducing a surgical instrument through the central opening of the balloon catheter and to the desired surgical area to conduct a surgical procedure.

19. A method, as claimed in claim 18, further including the step of:

recording the images produced from the microendoscope by means of a computer.