Viewing surgical scope for minimally invasive procedures
US6258083A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/2238
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A viewing and treatment apparatus for performing minimally invasive surgery through an opening in a patient's chest, the apparatus includes a visualization scope with an elongated portion and a distal end, and a working device such as a tissue ablation energy delivery device. The working device is encompassed within a working channel that communicates with the distal end of the scope. In one embodiment, a bronchoscope is used whose catheter shafting includes an introducer sleeve at the distal section of the scope for providing stability during introduction to a patient's chest while stabilizing the treatment and visualization distal ends of the scope at a treatment site. This embodiment can include a needle piercing assembly that cooperatively works with the working device such as for drug delivery. In a second embodiment a rigid endoscope with a viewing channel has an introducer member that is slidably disposed and detachable from the viewing channel and has a transparent convex distal tip which provides non-articulation at the distal end. This introducer member can also be used in conjunction with the first embodiment where the catheter shaft requires non-articulation. Both types…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.