Medical visualization system with endoscope and mounted catheter

#Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to medical devices. Several embodiments are generally directed to medical catheters with steering and/or optical capabilities. Other embodiments are generally related to medical systems, such as in-vivo visualization systems, that are suitable for viewing and/or performing diagnostic and therapeutic modalities within the human body, such as in the biliary tree.

#A challenge in the exploration and treatment of internal areas of the human anatomy has been adequately visualizing the area of concern. Visualization can be especially troublesome in minimally invasive procedures in which small diameter, elongate instruments, such as catheters or endoscopes, are navigated through natural passageways of a patient to an area of concern either in the passageway or in an organ reachable through the passageway.

#Ureteroscopy is one form of procedure that is performed to diagnosis and treat urinary tract diseases and ureteral strictures. In conventional ureterscopy, a ureteroscope is inserted retrograde through the urinary tract such that diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract abnormalities occur under direct visualization. Ureteroscopes are typically 7-10 Fr. in diameter and include a sheath that encapsulates a fiber optic element, an illumination element and a working channel. The working channel allows for the passage of working devices, such as guidewires, stone retrieval baskets and lasers. Some ureteroscopes also incorporate a steering mechanism, which allows the distal tip of the scope to be deflected by the user in one or more planes. Steering is typically achieved via manipulation at the handle end of the scope, ex-vivo.

#The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is an assembly view of an optical catheter system according to one embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective end view of the distal tip of the catheter illustrated in FIG. 1;

#Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings where like numerals correspond to like elements. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems of the type broadly applicable to numerous medical applications in which it is desirable to insert one or more steerable or non-steerable imaging devices, catheters or similar devices into a body lumen or passageway. Specifically, several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and reusable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc.

#Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises a catheter having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. As will be described in detail below, the catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced within the body. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree.

#Several embodiments of the present invention include medical devices, such as catheters, that incorporate endoscopic features, such as illumination and visualization capabilities, for endoscopically viewing anatomical structures within the body. As such, embodiments of the present invention can be used for a variety of different diagnostic and interventional procedures. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to duodenoscopes, it will be appreciated that aspects of the present invention have wide application, and may be suitable for use with other endoscopes (e.g., ureteroscopes) or medical devices, such as catheters (e.g., guide catheters, electrode catheters, angioplasty catheters, etc.). Accordingly, the following descriptions and illustrations herein should be considered illustrative in nature, and thus, not limiting the scope of the present invention. Additionally, the catheter with vision capabilities may be utilized alone, as well as in conjunction with a conventional endoscope.