# US 9,433,340 B2 · System and method for rapid shuttling of tools through endoscopes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,340 B2 - Document ID: US9433340B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/693,337 - Filed: 2015-04-22 - Published: 2015-12-03 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-05-30 - Assignees: Endoscopic Innovations LLC - Applicants: Endoscopic Innovations LLC - Inventors: Michael B. Jones; Carl Nelson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433340B2 ## CPC - A61B 1/00133: {Drive units for endoscopic tools inserted through or with the endoscope} - A61B 1/018: for receiving instruments - A61B 10/04: Endoscopic instruments, e.g. catheter-type instruments - A61B 10/06: Biopsy forceps {, e.g. with cup-shaped jaws} - A61B 2010/0208: {Biopsy devices with actuators, e.g. with triggered spring mechanisms} - A61B 2010/0225: {for taking multiple samples} - A61B 2017/0034: {adapted to be inserted through a working channel of an endoscope} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the surgical procedure is a biopsy removal wherein the end effector grabs a biopsy sample from within the diagnostic target area, and further including: k) performing steps d)-h) at least twice, and, after each step h) removing the biopsy sample from the end effector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the surgical procedure is a colonoscopy, the endoscope is a colonoscope, the natural orifice is the rectum, the diagnostic target area is the patient's colon, the tool is a biopsy forceps, and the surgical procedure is taking a biopsy sample from within the colon. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the disposable part includes aligned ports through which the tool passes and wiper seals positioned in the aligned ports for sealing around the tool as it passes therethrough. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the prime mover is a motor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the driven components include at least one frictional drive wheel in direct contact with the tool. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the drive components include at least one shaft stub that projects from the enclosed housing, and wherein the driven components include a shaft driven by the at least one shaft stub. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including k) connecting the reusable part of the tool displacement mechanism to a second, unused disposable part of the tool displacement mechanism for subsequent use in another surgical procedure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the disposable part defines the pathway through which the tool passes, and wherein the reusable part may easily be detached from the disposable part. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the prime mover is a motor and the tool displacement mechanism comprises a transmission with meshing gears and shaft stubs in each of the reusable and disposable parts that are coupled to rotate together but are easily separated. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the transmission includes a pair of frictional drive wheels in direct contact with the tool that are housed within the disposable part of the tool displacement mechanism. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the tool displacement mechanism attaches to the port in the proximal handle with a strap around the proximal handle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the tool displacement mechanism includes a transmission that converts motion generated by the prime mover to a displacement force in direct contact with the tool that drives the tool distally and proximally through the port and working channel lumen. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the prime mover is a motor and the transmission includes meshing gears. ### Claim 15 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the surgical procedure is a biopsy removal wherein the end effector grabs a biopsy sample from within the diagnostic target area, and further including: j) performing steps b)-f) at least twice, and after each step f), removing the biopsy sample from the end effector. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the surgical procedure is a colonoscopy, the endoscope is a colonoscope, the natural orifice is the rectum, the diagnostic target area is the patient's colon, the tool is a biopsy forceps, and the surgical procedure is taking a biopsy sample from within the colon. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the reusable part includes at least one shaft stub that projects from the enclosed housing, and wherein the driven components include a shaft driven by the at least one shaft stub. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the prime mover is a motor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the driven components include at least one frictional drive wheel in direct contact with the tool. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the tool displacement mechanism includes a transmission that converts motion generated by the prime mover to a displacement force in direct contact with the tool that drives the tool distally and proximally through the port and working channel lumen. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the prime mover is a motor and the transmission includes meshing gears. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the tool displacement mechanism attaches to the port in the proximal handle with a strap around the proximal handle. ### Claim 24 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further including wiper seals positioned in the aligned ports of the disposable part for sealing around the tool as it passes therethrough. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, wherein the reusable part may easily be detached from the disposable part. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein the prime mover is a motor and the tool displacement mechanism comprises a transmission with meshing gears and shaft stubs in each of the reusable and disposable parts that are coupled to rotate together but are easily separated. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein the transmission includes a pair of frictional drive wheels in direct contact with the tool that are housed within the disposable part of the tool displacement mechanism. ### Claim 28 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further including j) connecting the reusable part of the tool displacement mechanism to a second, unused disposable part of the tool displacement mechanism for subsequent use in another surgical procedure.