Pressure-propelled system for body lumen

• US 7,635,346 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2004
• Issued: 12/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: G.I. View Ltd.
• Original Assignee: G I View Limited
• Inventors: Gross, Yossi, Degtiar, Boris, Shor, Eran, Cabiri, Oz
• Primary Examiner(s): Mendez; Manuel A
• Application Number:
  US10/967,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20050197531A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,891 Days
• Field of Search: 604523-539, 604/264, 604/96.01, 60410101-10105, 60410201-10203, 604/916, 604/917, 604/920, 604/921, 606191-194
• US Class Current: 604/99.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00156 using self propulsion
• 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 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for use with a biologically-compatible-fluid pressure source, the apparatus including an elongate carrier, adapted to be inserted through a proximal opening of a body lumen, and a piston head coupled to a distal portion of the carrier. The piston head is adapted to form a pressure seal with a wall of the lumen after the carrier has been inserted into the lumen, and to be advanced distally through the body lumen in response to pressure from the fluid pressure source. The apparatus is configured to facilitate distal advancement of the piston head by facilitating passage of fluid out of the lumen from a site within the lumen distal to the piston head. The apparatus additionally includes an optical system, coupled to the carrier in a vicinity of the distal portion, the optical system having distal and proximal ends. The optical system includes an image sensor, positioned at the proximal end of the optical system; an optical member having distal and proximal ends, and shaped so as to define a lateral surface, at least a distal portion of which is curved, configured to provide omnidirectional lateral viewing; and a convex mirror, coupled to the distal end of the optical member, wherein the optical member and the mirror have respective rotational shapes about a common rotation axis.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in a body lumen having a proximal opening, the apparatus comprising:

first and second fluid pressure sources;

an elongate carrier, adapted to be inserted through the proximal opening of the body lumen;

an inflatable piston head coupled to a distal portion of the carrier, and adapted to form a pressure seal with a wall of the lumen after the carrier has been inserted into the lumen;

a first passageway in fluid communication with the first pressure source and a proximal portion of the lumen proximal to the piston head;

a second passageway in fluid communication with the second pressure source and the piston head;

first and second pressure sensors, adapted to measure a first measurable pressure in the proximal portion of the lumen, and a second measurable pressure in the piston head, respectively; and

a control unit, adapted to cause the piston bead to be advanced distally in the lumen by;

while the first pressure source applies a first applied pressure to the proximal portion of the lumen,

regulating the second measurable pressure in the piston head to be equal to the first measurable pressure in the proximal portion of the lumen plus a positive value, by driving the second pressure source to apply a second applied pressure.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lumen includes a gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and wherein the carrier is adapted to be inserted through the proximal opening of the GI tract.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a third passageway in fluid communication with a portion of the GI tract distal to the piston head and a site outside the GI tract.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first passageway has a diameter of between 3 and 6 mm.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the positive value is between 1 and 5 millibar.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is adapted to set the second measurable pressure in the piston head at an initial value prior to application of the first applied pressure, by driving the second pressure source to apply the second applied pressure.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the initial value is between 5 and 15 millibar, and wherein the control unit is adapted to set the second measurable pressure at between 5 and 15 millibar.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is adapted to regulate the second measurable pressure to be equal to the greater of:

(a) the initial value, and (b) the first measurable pressure plus the positive value.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the piston head has a wall thickness of 10-100 microns.

10. A method comprising:

forming a pressure seal between an inflatable piston head and a wall of a body lumen;

measuring a first measurable pressure in a proximal portion of the lumen proximal to the piston head, and a second measurable pressure in the piston head; and

advancing the piston head distally through the lumen by;

applying a first applied pressure to the proximal portion of the lumen, and

regulating the second measurable pressure in the piston head to be equal to the first measurable pressure in the proximal portion of the lumen plus a positive value, by applying a second applied pressure to piston bead.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the lumen includes a gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and wherein forming the pressure seal comprises forming the pressure seal between the piston head and the wall of the GI tract.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the positive value is between 1 and 5 millibar.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein regulating the second measurable pressure comprises setting the second measurable pressure in the piston head at an initial value prior to application of the first applied pressure.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the initial value is between 5 and 15 millibar, and wherein setting the second measurable pressure comprises setting the second measurable pressure at between 5 and 15 millibar.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein regulating the second measurable pressure comprises regulating the second measurable pressure to be equal to the greater of:

(a) the initial value, and (b) the first measurable pressure plus the positive value.