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US 9,433,340 B2Granted
System and method for rapid shuttling of tools through endoscopes
AssigneeEndoscopic Innovations LLC
InventorsMichael B. Jones, Carl Nelson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for quickly advancing/retracting a biopsy tool (or other driven object) into position through a colonoscope or other such scope. The device includes a drive actuator, a transmission for coupling the actuator to a driven object (biopsy tool), an attachment assembly that couples the device to the endoscope, such as to a biopsy port on the endoscope, an electronic control unit, and a user interface. Preferably, the driver/biopsy tool coupling consists of a motor and a combination of gears and friction rollers.
Claims28
A method of performing an endoscopic procedure, comprising:
- a) manually advancing a flexible tube of an endoscope through a patient's natural orifice until a distal end reaches a diagnostic target area;
- b) observing an area of the diagnostic target area using a scope having a lens on the distal end of the flexible tube;
- c) manually inserting an elongated flexible tool into a port of a proximal handle of the endoscope connected to the flexible tube;
- d) activating a prime mover in a tool displacement mechanism attached to the proximal handle of the endoscope to advance the tool through a working channel lumen in the flexible tube;
- e) halting advancement of the tool when a distal end effector reaches the distal end of the flexible tube;
- f) manually manipulating the end effector to perform a surgical procedure within the diagnostic target area;
- g) activating the prime mover to retract the tool through the working channel lumen in the flexible tube;
- h) halting retraction of the tool when the distal end effector reaches the proximal handle;
- i) detaching the tool displacement mechanism from the proximal handle;
- and
- j) separating a reusable part of the tool displacement mechanism including a prime mover from a disposable part of the tool displacement mechanism, wherein the reusable part includes an enclosed housing within which is housed the prime mover and drive components, and wherein the disposable part includes a housing that is detachably coupled to the enclosed housing and which includes driven components to advance the tool that are driven by the drive components.
8 more elements
A method of performing an endoscopic procedure, comprising:
- a) attaching a tool displacement mechanism having a prime mover to a port in a proximal handle of an endoscope, the port leading to a lumen through a flexible tube of the endoscope;
- b) manually advancing the flexible tube through a patient's natural orifice until a distal end reaches a diagnostic target area;
- c) observing an area of the diagnostic target area using a scope having a lens on a distal end of the flexible tube;
- d) mechanically advancing a flexible tool through a working channel lumen in the flexible tube using the prime mover of the tool displacement mechanism;
- e) manually performing a surgical procedure with the end effector within the diagnostic target area;
- f) mechanically retracting the tool through the working channel lumen in the flexible tube using the prime mover of the tool displacement mechanism;
- g) detaching the tool displacement mechanism from the proximal handle;
- h) separating a reusable part of the tool displacement mechanism including a prime mover from a disposable part of the tool displacement mechanism, wherein the reusable part includes an enclosed housing within which is housed the prime mover, and wherein the disposable part includes a housing that is detachably coupled to the enclosed housing and which includes aligned ports through which the tool passes and driven components that contact the tool;
- and
- i) connecting the reusable part of the tool displacement mechanism to a second, unused disposable part for subsequent use in another surgical procedure.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.