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AssigneeThe Chinese University of Hong Kong
InventorsZheng Li, Calvin Sze Hang NG, Philip Wai Yan CHIU, Joseph Jao Yiu SUNG
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A new steerable endoscope for minimally invasive surgery is provided. The endoscope system includes: a wireless steerable endoscope (1), an external magnetic controller (2) and an image/video display (3). The wireless steerable endoscope (1) could be inserted through an incision (4-1) on the body skin (4) and be anchored/steered inside the body cavity by the external magnetic controller (2). It is shaftless, wireless, and can be steered inside the body, operating in a remote manner. Compared with existing endoscopes, it neither requires additional incision nor does it occupy trocar or port space. Without the endoscope shaft, the surgical access trauma and incision size can potentially be reduced, avoiding endoscope-instrument fencing. It can be placed remotely from the access incision, providing an improved and wider field of view. It is soft-bodied and compact in structure, therefore safety is high. More than one wireless endoscope can be placed into the operating cavity, providing simultaneous multiple video images of different viewing angles. These features allow safer, more efficient and less traumatic surgery by reducing trocar size or number.
An endoscopic system suitable for laparo-endoscopic single-site surgery of a subject in need thereof, wherein the system comprises a wireless steerable endoscope that includes:
The system of either preceding claim, wherein the steerable endoscope is tiltable by way of a flexible member or joint between the base and the housing, thereby allowing orientation of the optical imaging module to be changed in relation to the base.
The system of any preceding claim, wherein the housing of the steerable endoscope further comprises one or more steering magnets, and the external controller has a controlling magnet that is adjustable within the controller so as to change magnetic force exerted on the steering magnets of the endoscope, thereby changing orientation of the optical imaging module.
The system of claim 9, wherein the external controller has four electromagnetic coils or solenoids positioned on the platform.
The system of any preceding claim, wherein the optical imaging module of the endoscope is encased in a covering so that the module is removable from the housing.
The system of any preceding claim, wherein the optical imaging module further comprises a charging module configured to receive and store power wirelessly when the endoscope is in use.
The system of any preceding claim, wherein the optical imaging module further comprises a source of illumination.
The system of any preceding claim, wherein the optical imaging module further comprises a transparent dome with a hydrophobic coating.
The system of any preceding claim, further comprising a display module electronically connectable to the endoscope so as to receive optical images from the optical imaging module and display them to a user.
The system of any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of wireless steerable endoscopes each controllable by a separate control magnet, which when in use provide separate views concurrently from inside the body cavity.
The system of any preceding claim, wherein the external magnetic controller is motorized, and the system is computer controlled.
A wireless steerable endoscope comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.