Multi-functional endoscopic system for use in electrosurgical applications

• US 8,357,148 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2005
• Issued: 01/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Boulais, Dennis R., Banik, Michael S., Turturro, Vincent, Rowland, Christopher, Hoffman, David, O'Connor, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUPCZEY, JR, RONALD JAMES
• Application Number:
  US11/238,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20060106281A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,672 Days
• Field of Search: 606/32, 606/34, 606/41, 600/104, 600131- 2
• US Class Current: 606/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00059 provided with identification means for the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00087 Tools A61B17/00234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00103 designed for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0052 Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/12 with cooling or rinsing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

A multi-functional endoscopic system, for use in electrosurgical applications, that includes an imaging endoscope that may be used in combination with various electrosurgical devices, all of which are sufficiently inexpensive to manufacture, such that the endoscope and electrosurgical devices are considered single use, disposable items. The multi-functional endoscopic system of the present invention is suitable for use with a variety of common electrosurgical devices that require electrical/electronic support in order to function. The electrical/electronic support for these electrosurgical devices (e.g., an electrosurgical generator and associated controls) is integrated with the operator console of the imaging endoscope of the multi-functional endoscopic system of the present invention, rather than provided as a separate device. In another embodiment of the invention, an imaging endoscope is provided that integrates or combines the functions of both an imaging endoscope and an electrosurgical device, which can be controlled by a single handheld controller.

Claims

1. A multi-functional endoscopic system, comprising:

an operator console;

an imaging endoscope and a removable electrosurgical device usable with the imaging endoscope, wherein the removable electrosurgical device is insertable into and removable from a lumen extending through the imaging endoscope, wherein the imaging endoscope comprises;

an endoscope proximal connector for coupling the imaging endoscope to the operator console, wherein the operator console includes an electrosurgical generator integrated therein for the removable electrosurgical device, a processor for controlling operation of the imaging endoscope, and a connection to at least one of a fluid source, a vacuum source, and an air source; and

a handheld controller coupled to the operator console via the endoscope proximal connector, wherein the handheld controller is configured to control the operation of the imaging endoscope, the handheld controller having at least one of a button and a switch configured to control the removable electrosurgical device, an electrical connector configured to connect the removable electrosurgical device to the operator console, and a port configured to receive the removable electrosurgical device; and

a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the endoscope proximal connector and the second end is connected to the handheld controller,

wherein the endoscopic system is configured for a high-frequency electrosurgical current to flow from the electrosurgical generator to the endoscope proximal connector, along the shaft from the first end of the shaft to the second end of the shaft, through the handheld controller, to the electrical connector of the handheld controller, to the removable electrosurgical device, and through the port of the handheld controller, such that the removable electrosurgical device electrically connects to the electrosurgical generator through the handheld controller.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging endoscope is configured to be disposable after a single use.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the endoscope proximal connector comprises a quick-release mechanism containing electrical, mechanical, and fluid connections between the imaging endoscope and the operator console.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the removable electrosurgical device is configured to be disposable after a single use.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the removable electrosurgical device is selected from the group consisting of a biopsy device, a snare device, a Tomes cutter, an injection device, a probe device, a needle knife device, a spatula device, a basket device, an ultrasonic device, an RF device, and an argon plasma ablation device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the lumen extends from the port on the handheld controller to a distal end of the imaging endoscope.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein removable electrosurgical device includes a memory containing device-type information.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein removable electrosurgical device includes a cable that is received by the electrical connector on the handheld controller of the imaging endoscope to electrically connect the electrosurgical device to the electrosurgical generator through the handheld controller.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the handheld controller is configured to selectively activate the electrosurgical generator for the removable electrosurgical device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one of the button and the switch accepts input from a human operator to thereby selectively activate the electrosurgical generator for the removable electrosurgical device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the handheld controller comprises a handheld manual controller.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a data management system coupled to the operator console.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the operator console is configured to facilitate operation of the imaging endoscope.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrosurgical generator is configured to use radiofrequency energy to produce cutting or coagulation in body tissue.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the electrosurgical generator is configured to convert low-frequency alternating current to radiofrequency energy.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging endoscope is flexible for insertion into a body cavity of a patient.

17. A multi-functional endoscope system, comprising:

an operator console that includes an electrosurgical generator integrated therein for supplying a high-frequency electrosurgical current to a removable electrosurgical device, a processor for controlling operation of the imaging endoscope, and a connection to at least one of a fluid source, a vacuum source, and an air source; and

a multi-function imaging endoscope configured to accommodate the removable electrosurgical device, wherein the removable electrosurgical device is capable of being inserted into and removed from a lumen of the imaging endoscope, wherein the multi-function endoscope comprises;

an endoscopic proximal connector connected to the operator console and configured to connect to the electrosurgical generator;

a handle coupled to the operator console and connected to the electrosurgical generator via the endoscopic proximal connector, the handle having controls that operate the imaging endoscope, at least one of a button and a switch that operates the removable electrosurgical device, an electrical connector configured to connect the removable electrosurgical device to the operator console, and a port in communication with the lumen configured to receive the removable electrosurgical device; and

a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the endoscope proximal connector and the second end is connected to the handle,

wherein the handle is electrically connected to the removable electrosurgical device, and wherein the endoscope system is configured for the high-frequency electrosurgical current to flow from the electrosurgical generator to the endoscope proximal connector, along the shaft from the first end of the shaft to the second end of the shaft, through the handle, to the electrical connector of the handle, to the removable electrosurgical device, and through the port of the handle.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the operator console includes a memory that stores information including one or more of the following:

user information, user preferences, type of and default settings of the removable electrosurgical device, and electrosurgical generator settings.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the imaging endoscope includes an RFID reader and the removable electrosurgical device includes an RFID tag.

20. The system of claim 17, further comprising a video display coupled to the operator console, the video display being configured to provide a graphical representation specific to the removable electrosurgical device after the operator console determines the type of the removable electrosurgical device.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the graphical representation specific to the removable electrosurgical device permits a user to select the energy level of the electrosurgical generator.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the removable electrosurgical device includes a device electrical connector that mates with the electrical connector of the handle via a cable to supply current from the electrosurgical generator to the removable electrosurgical device.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to execute software for operation of the imaging endoscope, the processor and electrosurgical generator of the operator console comprising a single operational unit.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the electrosurgical generator.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the processor is configured to control an energy level or a time duration setting of the electrosurgical generator.

26. The system of claim 17, wherein the imaging endoscope is flexible for insertion into a body cavity of a patient.