Controllable multi-directional positioning system

• US 6,165,123 A
• Filed: 08/27/1998
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pinotage LLC
• Original Assignee: Pinotage LLC
• Inventors: Thompson, Robert Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US09/141,201
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 600/102, 600/114, 600/115, 600/116, 600/121, 600/144, 600/139, 600/143, 600/152, 600/156, 600/159, 604/281, 604/282
• US Class Current: 600/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00078 with stiffening means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/012 characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion

Abstract

A surgical positioning device that includes a body having a first un-stressed configuration and at least one fluid channel to receive a fluid. The at least one fluid channel is constructed and arranged to transform the body of the surgical positioning device from the first un-stressed configuration to a second configuration when fluid is forced into the at least one fluid channel. The surgical positioning device can include one or more working channels that permit surgical devices to be remotely positioned by the surgical positioning device by adjusting an amount of fluid forced into the at least one fluid channel.

Claims

1. A positioning device, comprising:

a body having a first un-stressed configuration and at least one fluid channel to receive a fluid, the at least one fluid channel being constructed and arranged to transform the body of the positioning device from the first un-stressed configuration to a second configuration when fluid is forced into the at least one fluid channel; and

a hand-held pressure control system that is in fluid communication with the at least one fluid channel and that alters a pressure of the fluid forced into the at least one fluid channel, the hand-held pressure control system having a body that includes

a reservoir for storing the fluid and an opening that is in fluid communication with the reservoir, and

a control, coupled to the opening, that allows the fluid to pass through the opening and return to the reservoir when the control is in a first state;

wherein the control forces the fluid from the reservoir and through the opening when the control is in a second state; and

wherein the hand-held pressure control system includes a bi-directional valve coupled to the control.

2. A positioning device, comprising:

a body having a first un-stressed configuration and at least one fluid channel to receive a fluid, the at least one fluid channel being constructed and arranged to transform the body of the positioning device from the first un-stressed configuration to a second configuration when fluid is forced into the at least one fluid channel; and

a hand-held pressure control system that is in fluid communication with the at least one fluid channel and that alters a pressure of the fluid forced into the at least one fluid channel, the hand-held pressure control system having a body that includes

a reservoir for storing the fluid and an opening that is in fluid communication with the reservoir, and

a control, coupled to the opening, that allows the fluid to pass through the opening and return to the reservoir when the control is in a first state;

wherein the reservoir includes a penetrable seal through which the fluid can be injected into the reservoir.

3. A positioning device, comprising:

a body having a first un-stressed configuration and at least one fluid channel to receive a fluid, the at least one fluid channel being constructed and arranged to transform the body of the positioning device from the first un-stressed configuration to a second configuration when fluid is forced into the at least one fluid channel; and

a hand-held pressure control system that is in fluid communication with the at least one fluid channel and that alters a pressure of the fluid forced into the at least one fluid channel, the hand-held pressure control system having a body that includes

a reservoir for storing the fluid and an opening that is in fluid communication with the reservoir, and

a control, coupled to the opening, that allows the fluid to pass through the opening and return to the reservoir when the control is in a first state;

wherein the reservoir includes a second opening that is in fluid communication with the reservoir, and wherein the body of the hand-held positioning system includes a second opening that that allows the fluid to pass through the second opening from the reservoir when the at least one control is in a second state.

4. A positioning device, comprising:

a body having a first un-stressed configuration and at least one fluid channel to receive a fluid, the at least one fluid channel being constructed and arranged to transform the body of the positioning device from the first un-stressed configuration to a second configuration when fluid is forced into the at least one fluid channel; and

a hand-held pressure control system that is in fluid communication with the at least one fluid channel and that alters a pressure of the fluid forced into the at least one fluid channel;

wherein the hand-held pressure control system has a body that includes;

a first reservoir for storing the fluid;

a first opening that is in fluid communication with the first reservoir;

a first control, coupled to the first opening, that allows the fluid to pass through the opening and return to the first reservoir when the control is in a first state;

a second reservoir for storing the fluid;

a second opening that is in fluid communication with the second reservoir; and

a second control, coupled to the second opening, that forces the fluid from the second reservoir through the second opening when the second control is in the first state.