# US 11,076,745 B2 · Bronchoscopy coupling devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,076,745 B2 - Document ID: US11076745B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/606,120 - Filed: 2017-05-26 - Published: 2018-11-29 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-26 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: William S. Krimsky; Joshua B. Stopek - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11076745B2 ## CPC - A61B 1/00128: {mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes} - A61B 1/00112: {Connection or coupling means} - A61B 1/00119: {Tubes or pipes in or with an endoscope} - A61B 1/00121: {Connectors, fasteners and adapters, e.g. on the endoscope handle} - 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 1/00154: {using guiding arrangements for insertion} - A61B 1/01: Guiding arrangements therefore - A61B 1/018: for receiving instruments - A61B 1/2676: {Bronchoscopes} - A61M 39/105: {Multi-channel connectors or couplings, e.g. for connecting multi-lumen tubes (multi-channel connectors in general F16L37/56)} - A61B 2017/00296: {mounted on an endoscope} - 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 Provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is a coupling device configured to receive first and second devices. The coupling device may define a first passageway having an inner surface with a first coefficient of friction and defining a first axis. The coupling device may define a second passageway having an inner surface with a second coefficient of friction and defining a second axis, wherein at least a portion of the second axis is at an angle relative to the first axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for coupling a bronchoscope to a surgical tool during a lung procedure, comprising: a bronchoscope having an adapter defining a passageway and a flexible insertion tube extending distally from the adapter, the adapter extending from the bronchoscope at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the bronchoscope, the passageway during use for a lung procedure receiving a catheter and a microwave ablation device therethrough for placement of the microwave ablation device at a target within a patient; and a coupling device having an elastomeric sheath defining: a first passageway having an inner surface with a first coefficient of friction and defining a first axis, the first passageway including a first proximal opening and a distal opening aligned along the first axis, the first passageway during use for a lung procedure having the flexible insertion tube of the bronchoscope extending therethrough along the first axis and at least one of the catheter or the microwave ablation device extending through the flexible insertion tube along the first axis; and a second passageway having an inner surface with a second coefficient of friction and defining a second axis at an angle relative to the first axis, the second passageway including a second proximal opening and sharing the distal opening of the first passageway, the second passageway during use for a lung procedure receiving a surgical tool therethrough such that the surgical tool extends along the second axis into the first passageway and along the first axis, wherein during use for a lung procedure the angle of the second axis relative to the first axis maintains a separation between the bronchoscope and the surgical tool received through the second passageway to enable independent maneuvering of the bronchoscope and the surgical tool relative to each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device is a Y-shaped connector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the second axis is angled from the first axis in at least two directions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the elastomeric sheath is configured such that the flexible insertion tube and the surgical tool inserted in the sheath during use for a lung procedure are able to move within the sheath relative to the other. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second coefficients of friction are the same. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the first coefficient of friction is greater than the second coefficient of friction, such that during use for a lung procedure the flexible insertion tube received in the first passageway is substantially prevented from moving within the sheath while the surgical tool received in the second passageway is slidably retained in the sheath. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the surgical tool is selected from the group consisting of a saline source, a vacuum source, a catheter, a cannula, an access device, a biopsy tool, and a microwave ablation device. ### Claim 8 A system for coupling a bronchoscope to a surgical tool during a lung procedure, comprising: a bronchoscope having an adapter defining a passageway and a flexible insertion tube extending distally from the adapter, the adapter extending from the bronchoscope at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the bronchoscope, the passageway during use for a lung procedure receiving a catheter and a microwave ablation device therethrough for placement of the microwave ablation device at a target within a patient; and a coupling device having a body defining: a first passageway configured to operatively connect to the adapter of the bronchoscope, the first passageway having an inner surface with a first coefficient of friction and defining a first axis, the first passageway including a first proximal opening and a distal opening aligned along the first axis, the first passageway during use for a lung procedure having the flexible insertion tube of the bronchoscope extending therethrough along the first axis and at least one of the catheter or the microwave ablation device extending through the flexible insertion tube along the first axis; and a second passageway configured to releasably support a surgical tool, the second passageway having an inner surface with a second coefficient of friction and defining a second axis that is at an angle relative to the first axis, the second passageway including a second proximal opening and sharing the distal opening of the first passageway, the second passageway during use for a lung procedure receiving the surgical tool therethrough such that the surgical tool extends along the second axis into the first passageway and along the first axis, wherein during use for a lung procedure the angle of the second axis relative to the first axis maintains a separation between the bronchoscope and the surgical tool received through the second passageway to enable independent maneuvering of the bronchoscope and the surgical tool relative to each other. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the second proximal opening is smaller than the first proximal opening. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the second axis is angled from the first axis in at least two directions. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the first and second coefficients of friction are the same. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the first coefficient of friction is greater than the second coefficient of friction, such that a during use for a lung procedure the flexible insertion tube received in the first passageway is substantially prevented from moving within the body while the surgical tool received in the second passageway is slidably retained in the body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the body is elastomeric. ### Claim 14 A system for coupling a bronchoscope to a surgical tool during a lung procedure, comprising: a bronchoscope having an adapter defining a passageway and a flexible insertion tube extending distally from the adapter, the adapter extending from the bronchoscope at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the bronchoscope, the passageway during use for a lung procedure receiving a catheter and a microwave ablation device therethrough for placement of the microwave ablation device at a target within a patient; and a coupling device having a body defining: a first passageway defining a first axis and configured to receive a bronchoscope therethrough, the first passageway including: an inner surface with a first coefficient of friction; a first proximal opening; and a distal opening aligned with the first proximal opening along the first axis, the first passageway during use for a lung procedure having the flexible insertion tube of the bronchoscope extending therethrough along the first axis and at least one of the catheter or the microwave ablation device extending through the flexible insertion tube along the first axis; and a second passageway sharing the distal opening of the first passageway, the second passageway configured to receive a surgical tool therethrough and defining a second axis angled from the first axis, the second passageway including: a second proximal opening smaller than the first proximal opening; and an inner surface with a second coefficient of friction that is less than the first coefficient of friction; wherein: the second passageway during use for a lung procedure receiving the surgical tool therethrough such that the surgical tool extends along the second axis into the first passageway and along the first axis; and during use for a lung procedure the angle of the second axis relative to the first axis maintains a separation between the bronchoscope and the surgical tool received through the second passageway to enable independent maneuvering of the bronchoscope and the surgical tool relative to each other. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system according to claim 14, further comprising an elastomeric body that defines the first and second passageways. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system according to claim 14, wherein the first passageway is configured to connect to the adapter of the bronchoscope. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the first passageway is configured to connect to the adapter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the second proximal opening is smaller than the first proximal opening.