# US 11,998,384 B2 · Apparatuses, systems, and methods for conveying implements through a narrow passage in a body

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- Number: US 11,998,384 B2
- Document ID: US11998384B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/029,102
- Filed: 2020-09-23
- Published: 2021-04-01
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2019-09-26
- Assignees: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
- Applicants: Gyrus ACMI Inc.
- Inventors: Clinton L. Finger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998384B2

## CPC

- A61B 8/0841: {for locating instruments}
- A61B 8/085: {for locating body or organic structures, e.g. tumours, calculi, blood vessels, nodules}
- A61B 8/12: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
- A61B 8/445: {Details of catheter construction}
- A61B 10/0283: {with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe (A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/3423: {Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands (access sites for liquids A61M39/0247)}
- A61B 18/1482: {having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy}
- A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)}
- A61B 90/37: {Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation}
- A61B 1/018: for receiving instruments
- A61B 1/2676: {Bronchoscopes}
- A61B 2017/00867: {shape memory effect}
- A61B 2017/00973: {pedal-operated}
- A61B 2017/3413: {guided by ultrasound}
- A61B 2017/3425: {for internal organs, e.g. heart ports}
- A61B 2017/3445: {used as instrument channel for multiple instruments}
- A61B 2017/345: {for introduction into a natural body opening}
- A61B 2018/00077: {high, i.e. electrically conducting}
- A61B 2018/00166: {Multiple lumina}
- A61B 2018/00273: {Anchoring means for temporary attachment of a device to tissue}
- A61B 2018/00279: {deployable}
- A61B 2018/00541: {Lung or bronchi}
- A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation}
- A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation}
- A61B 2018/00601: {Cutting}
- A61B 2018/00982: {combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes}
- A61B 2018/1253: {monopolar}
- A61B 2018/126: {bipolar}
- A61B 2018/1435: {Spiral}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for conveying implements through a narrow passage in a body. In an illustrative embodiment, an insertion tube defines therein lumens and is configured to slide through an orifice and into a passageway to a target tissue. A first probe is connectable to a power source, is slidably receivable through one of the lumens, and has a distal end insertable into the target tissue. An imaging probe is connectable to an imaging device configured to collect imaging data at a distal end, is slidable through one of the lumens not receiving the first probe, and is positionable to collect imaging data at a distal end of the insertion tube. A second probe is connectable to the power source, is slidably receivable through one of the lumens not receiving the first probe, and has a distal end insertable into the target tissue.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus comprising:
an insertion tube defining therein a pair of lumens, the insertion tube being configured to slide through a bodily orifice and into a bodily passageway to a target tissue;
a first probe electrically connectable to a first pole of an electrical power source, the first probe being slidably receivable through a first lumen of the pair of lumens and having a distal end insertable into the target tissue, wherein the first probe is configured to extend into the target tissue and anchor a distal end of the insertion tube adjacent the target tissue upon deployment;
an imaging probe electrically connectable to an imaging device configured to collect imaging data at a distal end, the imaging probe being further configured to be slidable through a second lumen of the pair of lumens not receiving the first probe and positionable to collect imaging data at a distal end of the insertion tube, wherein the imaging probe is configured to image the first probe to guide-insertion into the target tissue;
a second electrically-conductive elongated probe electrically connectable to a second pole of the electrical power source, the second probe being slidably receivable through the second lumen in exchange for the imaging probe subsequent to removal of the imaging probe from the second lumen, the second probe having a distal end insertable into tissue adjacent the first probe anchored in the target tissue to apply a treatment in conjunction with the first probe;
wherein the first and second probes are configured to perform ablation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the imaging probe is configured to be received within the second lumen to collect imaging data used in positioning in the distal end of the insertion tube adjacent the target tissue and in confirming insertion of the distal end of the first probe through the first lumen into the target tissue.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second probe is configured to be inserted into the second lumen after removal of the imaging probe from the second lumen to permit insertion of the second probe through the second lumen into the target tissue.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the pair of lumens is further configured to slidably receive an elongated sampling needle configured to collect a sample of the target tissue.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the first probe includes a coiled section that is configured to be confinable in a straightened shape within the lumen into which the first probe is received and further configured to be coilable into a coiled shape while out of the distal end of the lumen.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the coiled section of the first probe is configured to auger into the target tissue while out of a distal end of the lumen.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the coiled section of the first probe augered into the target tissue anchors the distal end of the insertion tube adjacent the target tissue.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the second probe includes an angled section that that is configured to be confinable in a straightened shape within the lumen into which the second probe is received and further configured to be deformable into an angled shape while out of a distal end of the lumen.

### Claim 9

A system comprising:
an electrical power source having poles across which an electrical current is selectively applied; an imaging device configured to receive an output of an imaging sensor and display imaging data collected by the imaging sensor;
an insertion tube defining therein a pair of lumens, the insertion tube being configured to slide through a bodily orifice and into a bodily passageway to a target tissue;
a first probe electrically connectable to a first pole of an electrical power source, the first probe being slidably receivable through a first lumen of the pair of lumens and having a distal end insertable into the target tissue, wherein the first probe and the first lumen are configured to enable extension of the first probe into the target tissue and anchoring of a distal end of the insertion tube adjacent the target tissue upon deployment of the first probe;
an imaging probe electrically connectable to the imaging device configured to collect imaging data at a distal end, the imaging probe being further configured to be slidable through a second lumen of the pair of lumens and positionable to collect imaging data at a distal end of the insertion tube to guide insertion of the first probe into the target tissue;
a second probe electrically connectable to a second pole of the electrical power source, the second probe being slidably receivable through the second lumen in exchange for the elongated imaging probe subsequent to removal of the imaging probe from the second lumen, the second probe having a distal end insertable into tissue adjacent the first probe anchored in the target tissue to apply a treatment in conjunction with the first probe;
wherein the first and second probes are configured to perform ablation.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the imaging probe is configured to be received within the second lumen to collect imaging data used in positioning in the distal end of the insertion tube adjacent the target tissue and in confirming insertion of the distal end of the first probe through the first lumen into the target tissue.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein the second probe is configured to be inserted into the second lumen after removal of the imaging probe from the second lumen to permit insertion of the second probe through the second lumen into the target tissue.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the distal end of the first probe includes a coiled section that is configured to be confinable in a straightened shape within the lumen into which the first probe is received and further configured to be coilable into a coiled shape while out of the distal end of the lumen.

### Claim 13

A method comprising:
inserting an insertion tube into a bodily orifice and through a bodily passageway to a target tissue, the insertion tube defining therein a pair of lumens configured to simultaneously receive at least two of a first electrically-conductive elongated probe (first probe),
a second electrically-conductive elongated probe (second probe), and an elongated imaging probe (imaging probe);
positioning a distal end of the insertion tube proximate a target tissue; sliding the imaging probe through one of the pair of lumens;
collecting imaging data with the imaging probe to verify a position of a distal end of the insertion tube proximate the target tissue;
sliding the first probe through one of the pair of lumens not receiving the imaging probe to insert a distal end of the first probe into the target tissue;
anchoring the first probe in the target tissue to secure a position of the distal end of the insertion tube adjacent the target tissue;
collecting imaging data with the imaging probe to verify insertion of the first probe into the target tissue;
after collecting the imaging data to verify the insertion of the distal end of the first probe into the target tissue, replacing the imaging probe in the one of the pair of lumens with the second probe by sliding the second probe into the one of the pair of lumens not receiving the first probe to insert a distal end of the second probe into tissue adjacent the first probe anchored in the target tissue; and
electrically connecting proximal ends of the first and second probes to an electrical power source so that an electrical current is applied to the target tissue between the distal ends of the first probe and the second probe;
wherein the first and second probes are configured to perform ablation.