# US 2025/0143552 A1 · Ureterscope devices and systems having a fiber tip position sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2025/0143552 A1 - Document ID: US20250143552A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/834,808 - Filed: 2022-02-03 - Published: 2025-05-08 - Earliest claimed: 2022-02-03 - Assignees: C.R. Bard, Inc. - Applicants: C.R. Bard, Inc. - Inventors: Young Cho; Paul Robert Hess; Killian O'Brien - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20250143552A1 ## CPC - A61B 1/018: for receiving instruments - A61B 1/00045: {Display arrangement} - A61B 1/00097: {Sensors} - A61B 1/307: for the urinary organs, e.g. urethroscopes or cystoscopes - A61B 18/24: with a catheter (A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence) - A61B 18/26: for producing a shock wave, e.g. laser lithotripsy - A61B 2017/00066: {intensity} - A61B 2018/00196: {reciprocating lengthwise} - A61B 2018/00517: {Urinary bladder or urethra} - A61B 2018/00898: {Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition} - A61B 2018/00982: {combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A ureteroscope system including a handpiece, a catheter, one or more sensors, and a processor is described. The handpiece includes a working channel port and a working channel in fluid communication with the working channel port. The catheter is secured to the handpiece and includes a distal end defining a working channel opening in fluid communication with the working channel. The one or more sensors are positioned and configured to detect a position of at least a portion of a laser fiber. The processor is configured to determine if an emitting end of the laser fiber configured to emit laser light is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A ureteroscope system, comprising: a handpiece having a distal end region, a proximal end region, an interior region, a working channel port, a first portion of a working channel in fluid communication with the working channel port, and a cable port; a catheter extending from the distal end region of the handpiece, the catheter including a second portion of the working channel in fluid communication with the working channel port and the first portion of the working channel, a distal end defining a working channel opening in fluid communication with the working channel; one or more sensors positioned and configured to detect a position of at least a portion of a laser fiber; and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors and configured to determine if an emitting end of the laser fiber configured to emit laser light is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter such that laser light emitting from the emitting of the laser fiber does not damage the catheter and/or the handpiece, wherein the one or more sensors include at least an image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter that is configured to detect at least a portion of the laser fiber has exited the working channel through the working channel opening in the distal end of the catheter with the processor being configured to determine if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end by determining an amount of the laser fiber visible on a display displaying in real time the images collected from the image sensor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ureteroscope system of claim 1, wherein the handpiece includes a cable port and the ureteroscope system includes a cable connected or connectable to the handpiece at the cable port and configured to provide power to the one or more sensors and communicate with one or more electronic devices including the processor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The ureteroscope system of claim 2, wherein the one or more sensors include at least the image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter that is configured to detect at least the portion of the laser fiber has exited the working channel through the working channel opening in the distal end of the catheter, wherein the processor is configured to determine if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end based on data from the image sensor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The ureteroscope system of claim 3, wherein the one or more electronic devices include at least the display configured to display in real time the images collected from the image sensor and the processor is configured to determine if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end by determining the amount of the laser fiber visible on the display displaying in real time the images collected from the image sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The ureteroscope system of claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to determine if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end by determining a number or ratio of pixels on the display displaying a color of the laser fiber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The ureteroscope system of claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to coordinate an alert on the display if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter or if the emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside the working channel and/or not spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ureteroscope system of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors include at least one sensor positioned to detect the laser fiber or a jacket on the laser fiber entering the working channel and/or passing through the working channel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The ureteroscope system of claim 7, wherein: at least some of the first portion of the working channel passing through the interior region of the handpiece and is translucent or transparent; and the at least one sensor is positioned in the interior region of the handpiece at least proximate to the first portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, the at least one sensor being configured to detect the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through the first portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The ureteroscope system of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to determine if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based on the at least one sensor detecting the emitting end and a predetermined length of the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through the first portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The ureteroscope system of claim 8, further comprising the laser fiber having a plurality of markers on the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect the plurality of markers and the processor is configured to determine if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based on at least a predetermined number of markers of the plurality of markers passing the at least one sensor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The ureteroscope system of claim 7, further comprising an image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter, wherein the one or more electronic devices include at least a display configured to display in real time images collected from the image sensor and the processor is configured to coordinate an alert on the display if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter or if the emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside the working channel and/or not spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The ureteroscope system of claim 7, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned on the handpiece proximate to the working channel port, the at least one sensor being configured to detect the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber entering the working channel through the working channel port. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The ureteroscope system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to determine if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based on the at least one sensor detecting the emitting end and a predetermined length of the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber entering the working channel through the working channel port. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The ureteroscope system of claim 12, further comprising the laser fiber having a plurality of markers on the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect the plurality of markers and the processor is configured to determine if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based on at least a predetermined number of markers of the plurality of markers entering the working channel through the working channel port. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The ureteroscope system of claim 12, further comprising the image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter, wherein the one or more electronic devices include at least a display configured to display in real time images collected from the image sensor and the processor is configured to coordinate an alert on the display if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter or if the emitting end of the laser fiber is not spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The ureteroscope system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance is about 3 mm to about 8 mm. ### Claim 17 A method of using a laser fiber with an ureteroscope, the method comprising: inserting a catheter of the ureteroscope into a urethra of a subject to a selected position; feeding the laser fiber into a working channel port on a handpiece of the ureteroscope and through a working channel positioned at least partially in the handpiece and the catheter and in fluid communication with the working channel port; determining if an emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from a working channel opening in a distal end of the catheter distal to the handpiece using one or more sensors and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors, wherein determining if the emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel includes at least determining if the emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel opening using the processor and data from an image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter that detects at least a portion of the laser fiber has exited the working channel through the working channel opening by determining an amount of the laser fiber visible on a display displaying in real time the images collected from the image sensor; and emitting a laser light from the emitting end of the laser fiber if the emitting end on the laser fiber is determined to be outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising feeding the laser fiber further through the working channel if the emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside the working channel and/or is not spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of any of claim 18, wherein determining if an emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from a working channel opening using one or more sensors and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors includes: determining if the emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel opening using the processor and data from the image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter that detects at least the portion of the laser fiber has exited the working channel through the working channel opening. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: displaying in real time images collected from the image sensor on the display in communication with the processor. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein determining if the emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel opening by determining an amount of the laser fiber visible on the display displaying in real time the images collected from the image sensor includes: determining, with the processor, if the emitting end of the laser fiber is spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end by determining a number or ratio of pixels on the display displaying a color of the laser fiber. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, further comprising coordinating, with the processor, an alert on the display if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter or if the emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside the working channel and/or spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein determining if an emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from a working channel opening using one or more sensors and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors includes: detecting the laser fiber or a jacket on the laser fiber entering the working channel port and/or passing through the working channel with at least one sensor positioned proximate to the working channel port and/or the working channel; and determining if the emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from a working channel opening using the processor and the data from the at least one sensor detecting the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein detecting the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber entering the working channel port and/or passing through the working channel with the at least one sensor positioned proximate to the working channel port and/or the working channel includes: detecting the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through a portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent with the at least one sensor that is positioned in the interior region of the handpiece at least proximate to the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, wherein: detecting the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through a portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent with the at least one sensor that is positioned in the interior region of the handpiece at least proximate to the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent includes: detecting the emitting end and a predetermined length of the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent with the at least one sensor that is positioned in the interior region of the handpiece at least proximate to the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent; and determining if the emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from a working channel opening using the processor and data from the at least one sensor detecting the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber includes: determining, using the processor, if the emitting end of the laser fiber is spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based on data form the at least one sensor detecting the emitting end and the predetermined length of the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, wherein: detecting the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through a portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent with the at least one sensor that is positioned in the interior region of the handpiece at least proximate to the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent includes: detecting a predetermined number of markers of a plurality of markers on the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through a portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent with the at least one sensor that is positioned in the interior region of the handpiece at least proximate to the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent; and determining if the emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from a working channel opening using the processor and data from the at least one sensor detecting the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber includes: determining if the emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from a working channel opening using the processor and data from the at least one sensor of the predetermined number of markers of the plurality of markers on the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through a portion of the working channel. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, further comprising coordinating, with the processor, an alert on a display if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter or if the emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside the working channel and/or spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter. ### Claim 28 A ureteroscope system, comprising: a handpiece having a distal end region, a proximal end region, an interior region, a working channel port, a first portion of a working channel in fluid communication with the working channel port, and a cable port; a catheter extending from the distal end region of the handpiece, the catheter including a second portion of the working channel in fluid communication with the working channel port and the first portion of the working channel, a distal end defining a working channel opening in fluid communication with the working channel; one or more sensors positioned and configured to detect a position of at least a portion of a laser fiber; and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors and configured to determine if an emitting end of the laser fiber configured to emit laser light is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter such that laser light emitting from the emitting of the laser fiber does not damage the catheter and/or the handpiece, wherein the one or more sensors include at least one sensor positioned to detect the laser fiber or a jacket on the laser fiber entering the working channel and/or passing through the working channel with at least some of the first portion of the working channel passing through the interior region of the handpiece and being translucent or transparent, and with the at least one sensor being positioned in the interior region of the handpiece at least proximate to the first portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, the at least one sensor being configured to detect the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through the first portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The ureteroscope system of claim 28, wherein the one or more sensors include at least an image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter that is configured to detect at least a portion of the laser fiber has exited the working channel through the working channel opening in the distal end of the catheter, wherein the processor is configured to determine if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end based on data from the image sensor. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The ureteroscope system of claim 28, wherein the processor is configured to determine if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based on the at least one sensor detecting the emitting end and a predetermined length of the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through the first portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The ureteroscope system of claim 30, further comprising the laser fiber having a plurality of markers on the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect the plurality of markers and the processor is configured to determine if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based on at least a predetermined number of markers of the plurality of markers passing the at least one sensor. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The ureteroscope system of claim 30, further comprising an image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter, wherein the one or more electronic devices include at least a display configured to display in real time images collected from the image sensor and the processor is configured to coordinate an alert on the display if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter or if the emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside the working channel and/or not spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) The ureteroscope system of claim 30, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned on the handpiece proximate to the working channel port, the at least one sensor being configured to detect the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber entering the working channel through the working channel port. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The ureteroscope system of claim 33, wherein the processor is configured to determine if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based on the at least one sensor detecting the emitting end and a predetermined length of the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber entering the working channel through the working channel port. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The ureteroscope system of claim 33, further comprising the laser fiber having a plurality of markers on the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect the plurality of markers and the processor is configured to determine if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based on at least a predetermined number of markers of the plurality of markers entering the working channel through the working channel port. ### Claim 36 (depends on 33) The ureteroscope system of claim 33, further comprising an image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter, wherein the one or more electronic devices include at least a display configured to display in real time images collected from the image sensor and the processor is configured to coordinate an alert on the display if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter or if the emitting end of the laser fiber is not spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter. ### Claim 37 A method of using a laser fiber with an ureteroscope, the method comprising: inserting a catheter of the ureteroscope into a urethra of a subject to a selected position; feeding the laser fiber into a working channel port on a handpiece of the ureteroscope and through a working channel positioned at least partially in the handpiece and the catheter and in fluid communication with the working channel port; determining if an emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from a working channel opening in a distal end of the catheter distal to the handpiece using one or more sensors and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors, wherein determining if the emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel includes at least detecting the laser fiber or a jacket on the laser fiber entering the working channel port and/or passing through the working channel with at least one sensor positioned proximate to the working channel port and/or the working channel and determining if the emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from a working channel opening using the processor and data from the at least one sensor detecting the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber; and emitting a laser light from the emitting end of the laser fiber if the emitting end on the laser fiber is determined to be outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, further comprising feeding the laser fiber further through the working channel if the emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside the working channel and/or is not spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel. ### Claim 39 (depends on 18) The method of any of claim 18, wherein determining if an emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from a working channel opening using one or more sensors and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors includes: determining if the emitting end on the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel opening using the processor and data from an image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter that detects at least a portion of the laser fiber has exited the working channel through the working channel opening.