Multiple channel flexible ureteroscope

A ureteroscope system, comprising:

• a handle configured to remain outside a body of a patient;
• an elongated shaft extending from the handle to a distal end and including a working channel, the working channel being open at the distal end of the elongated shaft, the elongated shaft being configured to be inserted through a bodily lumen to a target surgical site;
• an external member extending from a proximal end to a distal end and configured to be coupled to the elongated shaft, the external member comprising a proximal hub and a tube extending distally from the hub and defining a first external channel therein, the first external channel having an internal diameter sized to receive a medical instrument therethrough;
• a coupling mechanism configured to couple the distal end of the external member to the distal end of the elongated shaft, the coupling mechanism including a first lumen a proximal portion of which is sized and shaped to be inserted into a distal portion of the elongated shaft such that the first lumen is open to the working channel and wherein a second lumen of the coupling mechanism is sized and shaped to receive the distal end of the external member;
• and
• an end cap coupled to the distal end of the elongated shaft, the end cap including an end cap channel extending therethrough such that, when the end cap is coupled to the elongated shaft, the end cap channel is open to the working channel.

A debris removal system, comprising:

• a scope assembly, comprising:
• a handle configured to remain outside a body of a patient;
• an elongated shaft extending from the handle to a distal end and including a working channel, the working channel being open at the distal end of the elongated shaft, the elongated shaft being configured to be inserted through a bodily lumen to a target surgical site;
• an external member extending from a proximal end to a distal end and configured to be coupled to the elongated shaft, the external member comprising a proximal hub and a tube extending distally from the hub and defining a first external channel therein;
• a coupling mechanism configured to couple the distal end of the external member to the distal end of the elongated shaft, the coupling mechanism including a first lumen a proximal portion of which is sized and shaped to be inserted into a distal portion of the elongated shaft such that the first lumen is open to the working channel and wherein a second lumen of the coupling mechanism is sized and shaped to receive the distal end of the external member;
• and
• an end cap coupled to the distal end of the elongated shaft, the end cap including an end cap channel extending therethrough such that, when the end cap is coupled to the elongated shaft, the end cap channel is open to the working channel;
• and
• a medical device assembly configured to be coupled to the scope assembly via the hub of the first external channel, the medical device assembly including a medical device configured to be inserted through the first external channel to the target surgical site.

A method for removing debris from a target surgical site, comprising:

• inserting a distal portion of a scope assembly into a bodily lumen, the distal portion of the scope assembly including:
• an elongated shaft including a working channel, the working channel being open at a distal end of the elongated shaft, the elongated shaft being configured to be inserted through the bodily lumen to the target surgical site;
• an external member extending from a proximal end to a distal end and configured to be coupled to the elongated shaft, the external member comprising a proximal hub and a tube extending distally from the hub and defining a first external channel therein;
• a coupling mechanism configured to couple the distal end of the external member to the distal end of the elongated shaft, the coupling mechanism including a first lumen a proximal portion of which is sized and shaped to be inserted into a distal portion of the elongated shaft such that the first lumen is open to the working channel and wherein a second lumen of the coupling mechanism is sized and shaped to receive the distal end of the external member;
• and
• an end cap coupled to the distal end of the elongated shaft, the end cap including an end cap channel extending therethrough such that, when the end cap is coupled to the elongated shaft, the end cap channel is open to the working channel;
• inserting a medical device through the first external channel until a distal end of the medical device enters the target surgical site, the medical device configured to break up debris within the target surgical site;
• and
• vacuuming the debris from the target surgical site through the working channel via a vacuum pump fluidly connected to the elongated shaft.