Cleaning device and methods

• US 9,314,289 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2012
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wallace, Michael, Utley, David S., Gerberding, Brent, Garabedian, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Dougherty, Sean
• Application Number:
  US13/591,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20130218153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,336 Days
• Field of Search: 600/104, 600/562
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320008 Scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320012 Brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32008 preventing clogging of suction channel

Abstract

An apparatus for treating tissue within a lumen may include a therapeutic or diagnostic instrument. A cleaning device may also be supported by the instrument. The cleaning device has a portion of a cleaning surface positioned proximal to the distal end of the cleaning device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treating tissue within a lumen of the alimentary system, comprising:

an ablation device configured to couple with a distal end of a therapeutic or diagnostic instrument, the ablation device comprising;

a base configured to couple with an outer surface of the distal end of the therapeutic or diagnostic instrument;

a longitudinal support configured to support one or more electrical ablation structures that are coupled with the longitudinal support; and

a rotational support pivotably coupling the base directly with the longitudinal support, the rotational support configured to permit the longitudinal support to pivot with respect to the base; and

a cleaning device configured to be supported by the therapeutic or diagnostic instrument and positioned proximal to the ablation device, the cleaning device having a portion of a cleaning surface positioned proximal to the distal end of the instrument, wherein the cleaning device is configured to clean tissue treated by the ablation device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device comprises a porous material.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the porous material comprises open cells.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the cleaning device comprises a blunt edge.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the blunt edge is supported by one or more of a frame, a ridge, or a ring.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is shaped to mount onto the therapeutic or diagnostic instrument.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device comprises an adhesive surface used to secure the cleaning device to the therapeutic or diagnostic instrument.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sheath around at least portion of the cleaning device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cavity in the therapeutic or diagnostic instrument for storing the cleaning device.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic or diagnostic instrument is an endoscope.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is further configured to remain in a stowed condition during movement to a treatment site.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is further configured to be movable between a stowed condition adjacent the therapeutic or diagnostic instrument and a deployed condition for engaging tissue of the lumen.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a diameter of the cleaning device in the stowed condition is less than a diameter of the cleaning device in the deployed condition.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is formed from a compressible material.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is configured to be releasably joined to the exterior surface of the therapeutic or diagnostic instrument.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is shaped to conform to the outer surface of a portion of the therapeutic or diagnostic instrument.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cavity in the cleaning device for storing a portion of the tissue from the lumen.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the cavity is a pore of the cleaning device.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device comprises a slot sized to fit over the therapeutic or diagnostic instrument.