Method and apparatus for endoscopy
Inventors
Gafford, Joshua • Childs, Jake • Davis, Laura • Rucker, Daniel Caleb • Anderson, Patrick • Webster, Robert • Webster, Scott
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12533016-B2
Publication Date
2026-01-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure provides an endoscopic apparatus and associated methods. The apparatus may include a steerable tool having a first flexible tube concentrically nested within a second flexible tube. The apparatus may include an end cap disposed on the steerable tool, an image sensor disposed on the end cap, and one or more light sources disposed on the end cap. The apparatus may be configured for accessing a region within a middle ear cavity of a patient. As such, the apparatus may further include a flexible tube, through which the steerable tool may extend, as well as a pre-curved rigid tube, through which the flexible tube may extend, thus allowing the apparatus to be deployed for middle ear access.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an endoscopic apparatus with a steerable tool that includes a first flexible tube concentrically nested within a second flexible tube. An image sensor and one or more light sources are disposed on the steerable tool, and the first flexible tube includes a first deflectable portion while the second flexible tube includes a second deflectable portion. The deflectable portions are selectively weakened portions that are angularly oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the steerable tool and offset from each other by an angle equal to or less than one-hundred and eighty degrees.
The steerable tool is actuable to form a bend by relative axial translation between the first flexible tube and the second flexible tube. A proximal end of the steerable tool is secured to a user interface, where the user interface is a handle that includes a lever and a mechanical transmission. The mechanical transmission converts a rotary motion of the lever to linear translation between the first flexible tube and the second flexible tube, such that the steerable tool is actuated to form the bend.
In additional configurations, the invention includes routing and deployment structures for reaching a middle ear cavity through anatomic passages. A rigid tube interfaces with the middle ear cavity via a Eustachian tube intermediate a nasal passageway and the middle ear cavity, and a third flexible tube is advanced through the rigid tube such that a distal end is displaced along the Eustachian tube toward the middle ear cavity.
The steerable tool is then nextended through the inner lumen of the third flexible tube until positioned within the middle ear cavity, and the steerable tool is actuated to form a bend that steers the distal end toward a region within the middle ear cavity.
Claims Coverage
The partial content contains three independent claims: an apparatus claim with concentric nested flexible tubes and lever-based actuation, a second apparatus claim that further defines nested deployment structures with additional tubes and a distal mounting arrangement, and a method claim for accessing a region within a middle ear cavity using nested rigid and flexible tubes followed by bend actuation. Across these independent claims, the coverage centers on the selectively weakened, angularly offset deflectable portions and the formation of a bend by relative axial translation, combined with user-interface lever actuation via a rotary-to-linear mechanical transmission.
Selectively weakened angularly offset concentric nested flexible tubes
A steerable tool including a first flexible tube concentrically nested within a second flexible tube, wherein the first flexible tube includes a first deflectable portion and the second flexible tube includes a second deflectable portion, the first and second deflectable portions being selectively weakened portions that are angularly oriented, relative to a longitudinal axis, in directions that are offset from each other by an angle equal to or less than one-hundred and eighty degrees.
Bend formed by relative axial translation
The steerable tool is actuable to form a bend by relative axial translation between the first flexible tube and the second flexible tube.
Lever and mechanical transmission converting rotary to linear translation for bend actuation
A user interface secured to a proximal end of the steerable tool, wherein the user interface is a handle that includes a lever and a mechanical transmission that converts a rotary motion of the lever to linear translation between the first flexible tube and the second flexible tube, such that the steerable tool is actuated to form the bend.
Distal imaging and illumination on the steerable tool
An image sensor disposed on the steerable tool and one or more light sources disposed on the steerable tool.
Nested axially movable steerable tool within third flexible tube and rigid tube
A third flexible tube, wherein the steerable tool is disposed within and axially movable relative to the third flexible tube, and a rigid tube, wherein the third flexible tube is disposed within and axially movable relative to the rigid tube.
Middle ear access using nasal passageway, Eustachian tube, rigid tube, and nested flexible tubes
Providing at least a portion of a rigid tube within a nasal passageway that interfaces with the middle ear cavity via a Eustachian tube intermediate the nasal passageway and the middle ear cavity; nextending a third flexible tube through an inner lumen of the rigid tube such that at least a portion projects out of an opening formed by a distal end of the rigid tube and a distal end is displaced along the Eustachian tube toward the middle ear cavity; nextending the steerable tool through an inner lumen of the third flexible tube such that at least a portion projects out of an opening formed by the distal end of the third flexible tube and a distal end of the steerable tool is positioned within the middle ear cavity; and actuating the steerable tool to form a bend such that the distal end is steered toward the region within the middle ear cavity.
Taken together, the independent claims define an endoscopic system in which concentric first and second flexible tubes include selectively weakened, angularly offset deflectable portions that enable a bend by relative axial translation. The bend actuation is driven by a handle lever and mechanical transmission that converts rotary lever motion into relative linear translation between the flexible tubes. The second independent apparatus claim adds nested axially movable arrangements with a third flexible tube and rigid tube, and the independent method claim specifies access of a region in a middle ear cavity through a nasal passageway via the Eustachian tube, followed by positioning within the middle ear cavity and bend actuation toward the region.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Accessing a region within a middle ear cavity of a patient using a steerable tool actuated to form a bend so that the distal end is steered toward the region within the middle ear cavity.
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