# US 10,441,144 B2 · Endoscope with shared working channel

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- Number: US 10,441,144 B2
- Document ID: US10441144B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/482,824
- Filed: 2017-04-10
- Published: 2017-08-10
- Granted: 2019-10-15
- Earliest claimed: 2013-08-31
- Assignees: Mor Research Applications Ltd.
- Applicants: Morena Medical Applications Ltd.
- Inventors: Igor Igov
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441144B2

## CPC

- A61B 1/05: characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
- A61B 1/00082: {Balloons}
- A61B 1/00135: {Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion}
- A61B 1/0014: {Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands}
- A61B 1/00181: {for multiple fixed viewing angles (A61B1/00193 takes precedence)}
- A61B 1/018: for receiving instruments
- A61B 1/053: {being detachable}
- A61B 1/06: with illuminating arrangements
- A61B 1/128: {provided with means for regulating temperature}
- A61B 17/0218: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/320016: {Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes (A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/320758: {with a rotating cutting instrument, e.g. motor driven (A61B17/320725, A61B17/32075 and A61B17/320783 take precedence; for removing intra-ocular material A61F9/00763; endoscopic rotatable cutting instruments A61B17/32002)}
- A61B 17/3423: {Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands (access sites for liquids A61M39/0247)}
- A61B 17/3478: {Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion (biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067)}
- A61B 90/30: Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
- A61M 25/1011: {Multiple balloon catheters}
- A61B 1/04: combined with photographic or television appliances
- A61B 17/295: combined with cutting implements
- A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)}
- A61B 90/361: {Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras}
- A61B 2017/00269: {endoscopic mucosal resection EMR}
- A61B 2017/00287: {Bags for minimally invasive surgery}
- A61B 2017/00296: {mounted on an endoscope}
- A61B 2017/0034: {adapted to be inserted through a working channel of an endoscope}
- A61B 2017/00566: {fixation of form upon application of vacuum}
- A61B 2017/22051: {with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation (A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence)}
- A61B 2017/22065: {Functions of balloons}
- A61B 2017/22069: {Immobilising; Stabilising}
- A61B 2017/306: {holding by means of suction}
- A61B 2017/320048: {Balloon dissectors}
- A61B 2017/320775: {Morcellators, impeller or propeller like means}
- A61B 2018/00029: {open}
- A61B 2018/00047: {using Peltier effect}
- A61B 2090/08021: {of the patient or his organs}
- A61B 2090/371: {with simultaneous use of two cameras}
- A61B 2217/005: with suction drainage system
- A61B 2217/007: with irrigation system
- A61M 2025/1015: {having two or more independently movable balloons where the distance between the balloons can be adjusted, e.g. two balloon catheters concentric to each other forming an adjustable multiple balloon catheter system}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for opening a workspace inside a lumen of a living creature are disclosed. Anchors may be affixed to opposite ends of the workspace. An extender may be distance anchors apart while they are affixed to the walls of the workspace. Distancing the anchors may unfold and/or stretch the lumen in the region of the workspace.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A catheter for transporting a tool between the outside of a living creature and a lumen inside the living creature, comprising:
a working channel extending along a longitudinal axis of the catheter, the working channel including a proximal opening for allowing access from outside of the living creature and a distal opening for positioning inside a lumen of the living creature;
at least one elongated guide extending along the catheter and of which a portion of the at least one elongated guide is in communication with a portion of the working channel;
an outer sleeve extending along the longitudinal axis of the catheter, the outer sleeve comprising a mount to support a tool;
a steerable frame that includes a spine extending along an edge of the catheter; and
an immobilizing system including joints and a collection of different sized balls, wherein the joints are reversibly immobilizable by a collection of the different sized balls.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The catheter according to claim 1, comprising a slit for allowing communication between the portion of the at least one elongated guide and the portion of the working channel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the elongated guide is narrower than the working channel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The catheter according to claim 1, comprising a carriage connectable to the at least one elongated guide.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The catheter according to claim 4, wherein the carriage is flexible enough to follow curves in the working channel.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The catheter according to claim 4, wherein the carriage is configured to move the tool out of the working channel such that the working channel is unblocked for allowing the deployment of an additional tool.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The catheter according to claim 6, wherein the carriage is configured to mount the tool on the mount and to return the tool back into the working channel.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the carriage and the at least elongated guide are configured to allow conveying the tool through the working channel from outside the living creature to the lumen inside the living creature.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The catheter according to claim 1, comprising a tube configured to supply cooling fluid to a tool to be cooled, wherein the working channel is configured to receive the tool.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The catheter according to claim 9, comprising a heat exchanger for cooling the fluid.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The catheter according to claim 9, wherein the tube comprises a plurality of cooling tubes configured to surround the tool to be cooled.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The catheter according to claim 1, the spine comprising a series of elements that act as, ribs and further comprising spacers connecting the elements with each other.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The catheter according to claim 12, wherein the series of elements are connected with each other by a combination of vertically and horizontally oriented joints such that the series of elements are controllably bendable in any direction.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The catheter according to claim 12, wherein the balls are arranged such to be immobilizable by applying a vacuum where the balls are located to collapse the space between the elements, and wherein the balls are re-mobilizable by allowing air to enter between the elements.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the spine extends along a single edge of the catheter.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the steerable frame comprises frame elements, and the balls are packed between or around the frame elements.