WO1983000992A1 - Endoscope assembly and surgical instrument for use therewith - Google Patents

Endoscope assembly and surgical instrument for use therewith Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1983000992A1
WO1983000992A1 PCT/US1982/001236 US8201236W WO8300992A1 WO 1983000992 A1 WO1983000992 A1 WO 1983000992A1 US 8201236 W US8201236 W US 8201236W WO 8300992 A1 WO8300992 A1 WO 8300992A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
head
combination
transmitting
instrument
extending
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1982/001236
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Charles David Cawood
Original Assignee
Charles David Cawood
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Charles David Cawood filed Critical Charles David Cawood
Priority to DE1982902968 priority Critical patent/DE89989T1/en
Publication of WO1983000992A1 publication Critical patent/WO1983000992A1/en

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/28Surgical forceps
    • A61B17/29Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00147Holding or positioning arrangements
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00163Optical arrangements
    • A61B1/00165Optical arrangements with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/12Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with cooling or rinsing arrangements
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/22Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
    • A61B17/22031Gripping instruments, e.g. forceps, for removing or smashing calculi
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B90/00Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
    • A61B90/50Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
    • A61B2090/502Headgear, e.g. helmet, spectacles

Definitions

  • forceps used for removal of kidney stones generally have angular shank portions of minimal length so that the closed jaws of such an instrument can be readily inserted into the kidney through an incision in the renal pelvis, and the tips of the closed jaws may then be ⁇ used as a probe to help the surgeon locate the stones requiring removal.
  • Visual aids such as fluoroscopy and x-radiography are often used, but a surgeon manipulating suc " h an instrument must nevertheless rely primarily on tactile sensitivity to locate, grasp, and remove the calculi.
  • endoscopi ⁇ instruments have been developed to provide surgeons with an internal view of the organ or body passage requiring treatment, such endoscopes typically having channels through which a miniaturized forceps, commonly called flexible instruments, are inserted and advanced.
  • Wlfile such a system does provide the surgeon with an internal view of the operative site, miniaturization reduces the effectiveness of the flexible instrument for many functions such as, for example, grasping and removing larger size kidney stones.
  • the flexibility of the grasping (or cutting) instrument, and the distance between its jaws and the remote handles held by the surgeon all but eliminate the trans ⁇ mission of tactile signals and require that almost. complete reliance be placed on endoscopic observation in performing surgical minipulations.
  • An object of this invention therefore lies in providing an endoscope assembly and surgical instrument which allow a surgeon to use both hands at the surgical site, thereby providing maximum tactile input through hand contact with the organ and the surgical instrument used to enter that organ, while at the same time providing endoscopic visuali ⁇ zation of the interior of the organ and the tip action of the instrument involved.
  • a further object is to provide a system which allows a surgeon to use ari instrument having greater holding capacity and effectiveness than a miniaturized i traluminal grasping instrument, and which also provides the surgeon with both tactile input and visual confirmation.
  • Another object is to provide an endoscopic attachment for a rigid surgical instrument having jaws for probing, grasping, and/or cutting, the attachment being removable when not needed, or when its use is required with another related type of instrument.
  • a still further object is to provide a low profile endoscopic attachment which contains flexible trans ⁇ om!feting means for illuminating and transmitting images, and which also provides a .passage for irrigation of the operative site.
  • the instrument used in the combination of this invention may be any of a variety of specialized instruments used for probing and grasping or, in some cases, cutting, which are designed to be held and operated by one hand and which provide the surgeon with a high level of tactile input.
  • such an instrument should have a handle or shank portion of rigid construction.
  • the instrument may be a modified version of conventional Ray or Randall forceps.
  • Such instruments are rigid enough to be precisely manipulated by the surgeon's hand in close proximity to the kidney (prefer ⁇ ably with the other hand holding and manipulating the kidney) , while providing maximum tactile sensitivity and sufficiently greater capability for grasping and removing larger stones (those having a diameter greater than about- 0.8 centimeters) as well as stones of smaller size.
  • the endoscope assembly includes an elongated flexible cable equipped at one end with an eyepiece or other viewing means and at the other with an optical head. Only the head is directly and externally connected to the instrument, such rigid connection being made to the ins rument's neck portion adjacent the jaws thereof.
  • the cable transmits images or image-producing signals from the illuminated operative site at the head back to the viewing means so that the surgeon will have visual confirmation of the. action of the instrument's working end as well as direct tactile input transmitted through the rigid handle or shank or the hand-held instrument.
  • connection between the optical head and the instrument is releasable, the head being equipped with one or more spring clips for detachably engaging the instrument's neck portion. .
  • the head is generally crescent-shaped in cross section so that its contour complements that of the instrument.
  • a coherent optic bundle extends from the head and through the flexible cable to the eyepiece for providing the surgeon with visual confir ⁇ mation of the instrument's tip or jaw action which, as already indicated, is also confirmed by direct tactile input.
  • the illuminating means may take the form of a light-trans ⁇ mitting waveguide extending through the cable to illuminate the operative area, such waveguide being connected at its proximal end to a suitable high-intensity light source.
  • the cable also provides a flow passage for the delivery of fluid (liquid or gas) for irrigation or other purposes, the flow passage and the illuminating means being disposed on opposite sides of the coherent image-transmitting waveguide.
  • a support is provided for holding the eyepiece so that the surgeo 's hands are free to remain near the operative site at the distal end of the instrument.
  • the support may take the form of a standard adapted to be mounted upon a floor, table, or other stationary surface, or a headband work by the surgeon.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view, shown partly diagrammatically, depicting the complete system of an embodiment of this invention.
  • Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing .the distal ends of the instrument and endoscope assembly.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of the distal ' end of the same position illustrated in Figure 2, but with the head and cable being shown in phantom to illustrate a clip construction for securing the endoscope to the neck of a surgical instrument.
  • Figure 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2.
  • Figure 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view along line 5-5 of Figure 2.
  • Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating alternative support means for holding the eyepiece of the endoscope assembly in operation position.
  • the numeral 10 generally designates a complete operating system comprising a hand- holdable surgical instrument 11, an endoscope assembly 12, support means 13 for the eyepiece of that assembly, a light source 14, and one or more sources 15 and 16 of irrigating fluid.
  • the instrument 11 includes a handle portion 17 dimensioned and constructed to be held and operated by one hand, a rigid shank portion 18 which extends a limited distance from the handle and which, in the embodiment illustrated, is curved near its distal end, a neck portion 19 which may constitute a distal extension of the shank portion, and jaws 20 operatively connected to the operating elements of handle p ' ortion 17 and adapted to open and close when the elements of the handle portion are manipulated.
  • the particular instrument 11 illustrated in the drawings is essentially a modified version of a forceps commonly known as a Ray kidney stone forceps, although it will be understood that for other types of surgery the instrument 11 may assume a substantially different appearance. It is believed essential, however, that regardless of the configuration and intended use of the instrument, such instrument must be small enough to be held and operated by one hand, having an operating end normally provided with jaws for grasping and/or cutting, and be rigid-enough to provide the surgeon with positive tactile feedback in use.
  • Handle portion 17 is shown having a pair of lever elements 17a and 17b equipped with finger loops 17c. While such an arrangement has been found effective for purposes of instrument manipulation and control, other arrangements may be substituted. For example, a handle composed of a pair of reciprocable elements, as generally disclosed in certain of the aforementioned patents, may also be effectively used.
  • Endoscope assembly 12 includes an elongated flexible cable 21 equipped at its proximal end with eyepiece 22 and at its distal end with optical head 23.
  • the cable 21 has a sheath 24 formed of any suitable resilient and flexible polymeric material through which flexible transmitting means 25 and 26 extend.
  • One such means 26 transmits energy from source 14 to the head 23 for illuminating the site of surgical treatment.
  • the other transmitting means 25 transmits images or image-producing signals from head 23 to the viewing means (eyepiece) 22.
  • the transmitting means 25 comprises a coherent bundle of glass fibers capable "of transmitting an image from the operative site to the viewer, although it is conceivable that such means might take other forms such as, for example, a flexible con ⁇ ductive lead for transmitting electrical .signals «from a receiver or scanner in the head to the viewing means where such signals are then processed to produce the visual images.
  • illuminating means 26 is depicted and described herein as a fiberoptic bundle, it might take the form of a flexible electrical conductor acting in combination with a head-mounted lamp or other illuminating device, or a waveguide consisting essentially of a single light-transmitting fiber or tube.
  • the flexible cable is of rounded or oval cross section and the image-transmitting bundle 25 extends through that cable along the central axis thereof.
  • the illuminating bundle or waveguide 26 may be of smaller cross sectional area than the image-transmitting bundle and may be disposed alongside the latter, in which case the illuminating bundle 26 may be crescent-shaped in cross section ( Figure 5) .
  • the flexible sheath 24 of.the cable may also include a flow passage 27 extending along that side of the coherent fiberoptic cable 25 opposite from the illuminating cable 26 (Figure 5).
  • the flo ' passage may be defined by an inner protective flexible tube 28 which extends through the cable and.which exits therefrom at or near eyepiece 22.
  • tube 28 may extend to a branched coupling 29 equipped with check valves 30 and 31.
  • One of the branches may lead through hose 32 to a pulsatile source of irrigating fluid 16, whereas the other branch may lead through hose 33 to a suspended bag 15 which serves as a non-pulsating fluid source.
  • a manually-operated valve (not shown) may be provided in line 33 to control fluid flow, it being understood that during an operative procedure a continuous flow at low pressure is normally required for internal viewing.
  • source 16 which may be driven by an electric vibrator in a manner well known in the art in connection with oral hygiene irrigating devices, may be activated and deactivated by a suitable foot controller 34.
  • the pulsatile flow from source 16 is intended to be used for clearing away any tissue particles, blood, or other matter to prevent obscuring of the view through eyepiece 22 and/or for dislodging small particles from " he organ's interior (such- as stone particles within the calyces of the kidney) .
  • the viewing means or eyepiece 22 shown in Figure 1 is mounted upon support means 13 i the form of a standard 35 adapted to be secured at its lower end 36 to a table, floor, or other stationary support surface.
  • the standard should be capable of telescoping, and should be provided with a pivotal connector at its upper end, to permit vertical and angular adjustment of the eyepiece.
  • the base 37 of the standard may • take the form of a clamp, suction cup assembly or tripod leg construction, all as known in the art.
  • the standard-equipped support 13 represents a preferred construction because it may be used to locate the eyepiece 22 in any suitable position selected by the surgeon while still readily permitting the surgeon to look away from the eyepiece when direct viewing of the operative site, or instrument 11,. or any other object or person, is required.
  • it has also been found effective to provide support means in the form of a headband 38 and connector 39 as depicted in Figure 6.
  • the connector 39 is secured to both the headband and eyepiece 22 and is adjustable to facilitate positioning of the eyepiece directly in front of the wearer's eye.
  • Band 38 may also be adjustable as indicated in Figure 6.
  • Head 23 is an extension of cable 21 and contains extended portions of fiberoptic bundles 25 and 26 as well as of irrigation tube 28.
  • Objective lens 25a is mounted at the extreme distal end of bundle 25 and, if desired, a similar lens may be provided at the distal end of bundle 26, the latter being more useful for preventing fluids from invading bundle 26 than for optical purposes.
  • a protective casing 23a formed of rigid material may extend about the ' head, not only to prevent damage to the optics encased within the head but also to provide a secure attachment for one or more attachment clips 40.
  • a pair of spring clips 40 are secured to the underside of head casing 23a and are provided with arcuate spring arms which receive the neck portion 19 of instrument 11.
  • the straps or arms 41 of the clips are received in channels 42 provided in the neck portion 19 to secure head 23 against longitudinal sliding movement along the neck and to assist the user in properly positioning the head when endoscope 12 is to be coupled to instrument 11.
  • a pair of longitudinally-spaced clips 40 are shown in the drawings; however, it is to be understood that a greater- or smaller number of such clips may be suitable for purposes of this invention.
  • scope assembly 12 has been described in conjunction with surgical instruments, it is believed evident that such assembly might be adapted for use with any essentially rigid hand-held instrument that must be oriented and manipulated under conditions which require the operator to receive and respond to tactile signals trans ⁇ mitted through the instrument itself and which, because of the nature of the operation, prevent the operator from directly viewing the working end of the instrument and the operative site.
  • the rigidity of the instrument, and the fact that it is hand held allow the instrument to function as an extension of the hand and to be oriented, steered, and manipulated in part through tactile sensations which yield a perception of the action of the instrument in the "mind's eye" of the user.
  • the visual input provided by the scope assembly 12 serves to confirm and supplement such tactile input to give the operator greater control over the operation of the instrument, whether it be in a surgical or non-surgical procedure.

Abstract

An endoscope assembly, and the surgical instrument associated with it, capable of providing visibility of an operative site while at the same time insuring the transmission of tactile information to the surgeon through the handle of the instrument. The endoscope assembly (12) comprises an optical head (23) equipped with a connector or connectors (40) for externally and releasably attaching the head to a surgical instrument (11) at the neck portion adjacent the operating end thereof, an eyepiece (22) or other viewing unit remote from the head, and an elongated flexible cable (21) extending between the two for illuminating the operative area and for transmitting an image to the eyepiece.

Description

ENDOSCOPE ASSEMBLY AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENT FOR USE THEREWITH
Background and Summary of the InventiBn
Various types of specialized forceps, clamps, and other surgical instruments have been developed over the years for use in performing specific surgical operations, and in many cases the configuration and construction of such instruments has been based not only on anatomical considerations but also on the importance of providing the surgeon with tactile information essential "in achieving proper control, over such an instrument. Thus, forceps used for removal of kidney stones generally have angular shank portions of minimal length so that the closed jaws of such an instrument can be readily inserted into the kidney through an incision in the renal pelvis, and the tips of the closed jaws may then be used as a probe to help the surgeon locate the stones requiring removal.. Visual aids such as fluoroscopy and x-radiography are often used, but a surgeon manipulating suc"h an instrument must nevertheless rely primarily on tactile sensitivity to locate, grasp, and remove the calculi.
More recently, endoscopiσ instruments have been developed to provide surgeons with an internal view of the organ or body passage requiring treatment, such endoscopes typically having channels through which a miniaturized forceps, commonly called flexible instruments, are inserted and advanced. Wlfile such a system does provide the surgeon with an internal view of the operative site, miniaturization reduces the effectiveness of the flexible instrument for many functions such as, for example, grasping and removing larger size kidney stones. Moreover,, the flexibility of the grasping (or cutting) instrument, and the distance between its jaws and the remote handles held by the surgeon, all but eliminate the trans¬ mission of tactile signals and require that almost. complete reliance be placed on endoscopic observation in performing surgical minipulations. Not only are the surgeon's hands spaced well away from the distal end of the endoscope and the jaws of the instrument, but they are normally fully occupied by the manipulations required at the proximal end of the equipment. One hand is commonly used to hold and direct the endoscope while the other is used to direct and operate the flexible instrument and also to control the irrigation system — all such manipulations occurring at the proximal end of the endoscopic system, well away from the organ or body part undergoing surgical treatment. Any tactile feedback is minimal because of the lack of rigidity of the instrument and the distance between its jaws and operating controls.
References illustrative of the state of the art are patents U.S. 3,960,143, 4,046,149, 4,046,150, 4,043,323, and 3,413,976. Other publications are Tsuchida, S., A New Operative Fiberpyeloscope. Journal of Urology, 117:643-5 (May 1977), Olinger, C.P. & R.L. Ohlhaber, Eighteen-Gauge Needle Endoscope with Flexible Viewing System, Surg. Neurol., 4:537-8 (1975), Stotter, L., H.J. Wiendl, & B. ϋltsch, An Improved Flexible Cholangioscope, Endoscopy, 7:150-3 (1975) , Gittes, R.F., Operative Nephroscopy, Journal of Urology, 116:148-52 (1976), Miki, M., Y. Inaba, S. T. Machida, Operative Nephroscopy with Fiberoptic Scope: Preliminary Report, Journal of Urology, 119:166-8 (February 1978).
An object of this invention therefore lies in providing an endoscope assembly and surgical instrument which allow a surgeon to use both hands at the surgical site, thereby providing maximum tactile input through hand contact with the organ and the surgical instrument used to enter that organ, while at the same time providing endoscopic visuali¬ zation of the interior of the organ and the tip action of the instrument involved. A further object is to provide a system which allows a surgeon to use ari instrument having greater holding capacity and effectiveness than a miniaturized i traluminal grasping instrument, and which also provides the surgeon with both tactile input and visual confirmation. Another object is to provide an endoscopic attachment for a rigid surgical instrument having jaws for probing, grasping, and/or cutting, the attachment being removable when not needed, or when its use is required with another related type of instrument. A still further object is to provide a low profile endoscopic attachment which contains flexible trans¬ om!feting means for illuminating and transmitting images, and which also provides a .passage for irrigation of the operative site.
In brief, the instrument used in the combination of this invention may be any of a variety of specialized instruments used for probing and grasping or, in some cases, cutting, which are designed to be held and operated by one hand and which provide the surgeon with a high level of tactile input. For that purpose, such an instrument should have a handle or shank portion of rigid construction. For example, where the instrument is to be used for nephrolithotomy or phelolithotomy with calyceal stone extraction, the instrument may be a modified version of conventional Ray or Randall forceps. Such instruments are rigid enough to be precisely manipulated by the surgeon's hand in close proximity to the kidney (prefer¬ ably with the other hand holding and manipulating the kidney) , while providing maximum tactile sensitivity and sufficiently greater capability for grasping and removing larger stones (those having a diameter greater than about- 0.8 centimeters) as well as stones of smaller size.
The endoscope assembly includes an elongated flexible cable equipped at one end with an eyepiece or other viewing means and at the other with an optical head. Only the head is directly and externally connected to the instrument, such rigid connection being made to the ins rument's neck portion adjacent the jaws thereof. The cable transmits images or image-producing signals from the illuminated operative site at the head back to the viewing means so that the surgeon will have visual confirmation of the. action of the instrument's working end as well as direct tactile input transmitted through the rigid handle or shank or the hand-held instrument.
In the particular embodiment disclosed, the connection between the optical head and the instrument is releasable, the head being equipped with one or more spring clips for detachably engaging the instrument's neck portion.. The head is generally crescent-shaped in cross section so that its contour complements that of the instrument. A coherent optic bundle extends from the head and through the flexible cable to the eyepiece for providing the surgeon with visual confir¬ mation of the instrument's tip or jaw action which, as already indicated, is also confirmed by direct tactile input. The illuminating means may take the form of a light-trans¬ mitting waveguide extending through the cable to illuminate the operative area, such waveguide being connected at its proximal end to a suitable high-intensity light source. Ideally, the cable also provides a flow passage for the delivery of fluid (liquid or gas) for irrigation or other purposes, the flow passage and the illuminating means being disposed on opposite sides of the coherent image-transmitting waveguide.
A support is provided for holding the eyepiece so that the surgeo 's hands are free to remain near the operative site at the distal end of the instrument. The support may take the form of a standard adapted to be mounted upon a floor, table, or other stationary surface, or a headband work by the surgeon. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the specification and drawings.
Drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view, shown partly diagrammatically, depicting the complete system of an embodiment of this invention.
Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing .the distal ends of the instrument and endoscope assembly.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the distal'end of the same position illustrated in Figure 2, but with the head and cable being shown in phantom to illustrate a clip construction for securing the endoscope to the neck of a surgical instrument.
Figure 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view along line 5-5 of Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating alternative support means for holding the eyepiece of the endoscope assembly in operation position.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment
Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates a complete operating system comprising a hand- holdable surgical instrument 11, an endoscope assembly 12, support means 13 for the eyepiece of that assembly, a light source 14, and one or more sources 15 and 16 of irrigating fluid. The instrument 11 includes a handle portion 17 dimensioned and constructed to be held and operated by one hand, a rigid shank portion 18 which extends a limited distance from the handle and which, in the embodiment illustrated, is curved near its distal end, a neck portion 19 which may constitute a distal extension of the shank portion, and jaws 20 operatively connected to the operating elements of handle p'ortion 17 and adapted to open and close when the elements of the handle portion are manipulated. In its general outline and con¬ struction, the particular instrument 11 illustrated in the drawings is essentially a modified version of a forceps commonly known as a Ray kidney stone forceps, although it will be understood that for other types of surgery the instrument 11 may assume a substantially different appearance. It is believed essential, however, that regardless of the configuration and intended use of the instrument, such instrument must be small enough to be held and operated by one hand, having an operating end normally provided with jaws for grasping and/or cutting, and be rigid-enough to provide the surgeon with positive tactile feedback in use.
Handle portion 17 is shown having a pair of lever elements 17a and 17b equipped with finger loops 17c. While such an arrangement has been found effective for purposes of instrument manipulation and control, other arrangements may be substituted. For example, a handle composed of a pair of reciprocable elements, as generally disclosed in certain of the aforementioned patents, may also be effectively used.
Endoscope assembly 12 includes an elongated flexible cable 21 equipped at its proximal end with eyepiece 22 and at its distal end with optical head 23. The cable 21 has a sheath 24 formed of any suitable resilient and flexible polymeric material through which flexible transmitting means 25 and 26 extend. One such means 26 transmits energy from source 14 to the head 23 for illuminating the site of surgical treatment. The other transmitting means 25 transmits images or image-producing signals from head 23 to the viewing means (eyepiece) 22.
In the e bodiment illustrated, the transmitting means 25 comprises a coherent bundle of glass fibers capable "of transmitting an image from the operative site to the viewer, although it is conceivable that such means might take other forms such as, for example, a flexible con¬ ductive lead for transmitting electrical .signals «from a receiver or scanner in the head to the viewing means where such signals are then processed to produce the visual images. Similarly, while illuminating means 26 is depicted and described herein as a fiberoptic bundle, it might take the form of a flexible electrical conductor acting in combination with a head-mounted lamp or other illuminating device, or a waveguide consisting essentially of a single light-transmitting fiber or tube.
In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the flexible cable is of rounded or oval cross section and the image-transmitting bundle 25 extends through that cable along the central axis thereof. The illuminating bundle or waveguide 26 may be of smaller cross sectional area than the image-transmitting bundle and may be disposed alongside the latter, in which case the illuminating bundle 26 may be crescent-shaped in cross section (Figure 5) .
The flexible sheath 24 of.the cable may also include a flow passage 27 extending along that side of the coherent fiberoptic cable 25 opposite from the illuminating cable 26 (Figure 5). The flo 'passage may be defined by an inner protective flexible tube 28 which extends through the cable and.which exits therefrom at or near eyepiece 22. As shown in Figure 1, tube 28 may extend to a branched coupling 29 equipped with check valves 30 and 31. "One of the branches may lead through hose 32 to a pulsatile source of irrigating fluid 16, whereas the other branch may lead through hose 33 to a suspended bag 15 which serves as a non-pulsating fluid source. A manually-operated valve (not shown) may be provided in line 33 to control fluid flow, it being understood that during an operative procedure a continuous flow at low pressure is normally required for internal viewing. When pulsatile flow is needed, source 16, which may be driven by an electric vibrator in a manner well known in the art in connection with oral hygiene irrigating devices, may be activated and deactivated by a suitable foot controller 34. The pulsatile flow from source 16 is intended to be used for clearing away any tissue particles, blood, or other matter to prevent obscuring of the view through eyepiece 22 and/or for dislodging small particles from" he organ's interior (such- as stone particles within the calyces of the kidney) .
The viewing means or eyepiece 22 shown in Figure 1 is mounted upon support means 13 i the form of a standard 35 adapted to be secured at its lower end 36 to a table, floor, or other stationary support surface. The standard should be capable of telescoping, and should be provided with a pivotal connector at its upper end, to permit vertical and angular adjustment of the eyepiece. The base 37 of the standard may • take the form of a clamp, suction cup assembly or tripod leg construction, all as known in the art.
The standard-equipped support 13 represents a preferred construction because it may be used to locate the eyepiece 22 in any suitable position selected by the surgeon while still readily permitting the surgeon to look away from the eyepiece when direct viewing of the operative site, or instrument 11,. or any other object or person, is required. However, it has also been found effective to provide support means in the form of a headband 38 and connector 39 as depicted in Figure 6. The connector 39 is secured to both the headband and eyepiece 22 and is adjustable to facilitate positioning of the eyepiece directly in front of the wearer's eye. Band 38 may also be adjustable as indicated in Figure 6.
Head 23 is an extension of cable 21 and contains extended portions of fiberoptic bundles 25 and 26 as well as of irrigation tube 28. Objective lens 25a is mounted at the extreme distal end of bundle 25 and, if desired, a similar lens may be provided at the distal end of bundle 26, the latter being more useful for preventing fluids from invading bundle 26 than for optical purposes. A protective casing 23a formed of rigid material may extend about the'head, not only to prevent damage to the optics encased within the head but also to provide a secure attachment for one or more attachment clips 40.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, it will be observed that a pair of spring clips 40 are secured to the underside of head casing 23a and are provided with arcuate spring arms which receive the neck portion 19 of instrument 11. The straps or arms 41 of the clips are received in channels 42 provided in the neck portion 19 to secure head 23 against longitudinal sliding movement along the neck and to assist the user in properly positioning the head when endoscope 12 is to be coupled to instrument 11. To insure a rigid but releasable interconnection between head 23 and instrument 11, a pair of longitudinally-spaced clips 40 are shown in the drawings; however, it is to be understood that a greater- or smaller number of such clips may be suitable for purposes of this invention.
In the operation-of this system as, for example, in the case of kidney stone removal, a surgeon may find that a number of different instruments 11, all of the same general construction but with different shank curvatures, will be necessary in order to enter different calyces for stone detection and removal. In that event, head 23 may be readily detached from one instrument and clipped to the neck of another instrument of different curvature. Further¬ more, in certain instances where the surgeon concludes that visual verification through an endoscope is unnecessary, and where tactile input and external observation are sufficient, the endoscope 12 may be completely disconnected and at least temporarily laid aside.
While the scope assembly 12 has been described in conjunction with surgical instruments, it is believed evident that such assembly might be adapted for use with any essentially rigid hand-held instrument that must be oriented and manipulated under conditions which require the operator to receive and respond to tactile signals trans¬ mitted through the instrument itself and which, because of the nature of the operation, prevent the operator from directly viewing the working end of the instrument and the operative site. Under such circumstances, the rigidity of the instrument, and the fact that it is hand held, allow the instrument to function as an extension of the hand and to be oriented, steered, and manipulated in part through tactile sensations which yield a perception of the action of the instrument in the "mind's eye" of the user. The visual input provided by the scope assembly 12 serves to confirm and supplement such tactile input to give the operator greater control over the operation of the instrument, whether it be in a surgical or non-surgical procedure.
While in the foregoing I have disclosed an embodiment of the invention in considerable detail for purposes of illustration, it will- be understood by those skilled in the art that many of these details may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

The Claims
1. In combination with an instrument adapted to be held and operated by one hand and equipped with a rigid shank portion leading to an operating end portion; an image- receiving assembly comprising an objective head, viewing means remote from said head, and an elongated flexible cable assembly extending therebetween; mounting means rigidly securing said head externally to said operating end portion of said instrument; said cable assembly including first flexible transmitting means extending therethrough for transmitting energy to said head for illuminating a working area adjacent said operating end portion; and second flexible transmitting means extending through said cable from said head to said viewing means for providing at said viewing means an image of the work area illuminated by said first transmitting means of adjacent said operating end portion.
2. The combination of Claim 1 in which said first flexible transmitting means comprises a light-transmitting waveguide for conducting light through said cable to said operating end portion.
3. The combination of Claim 1 in which said second, flexible transmitting means comprises a fiberoptic bundle of coherently-oriented fibers capable of transmitting an image from said head to said viewing means.
4. The combination of Claim 1 in which said mounting means releasably secures said head externally to said instrument.
5. The combination of Claim 4 in which said mounting means comprises at least one spring clip.
6. The combination of Claim 4 in which said mounting means comprises a pair of spring clips spaced longitudinally apart along said head.
7. The combination of Claims 5 or 6 in which each spring clip is mounted upon said head and releasably embraces said operating end portion of said instrument.
8. The combination of Claim 7 in which said operating end portion of said instrument is peripherally grooved to receive SAmlά. clips and to anchor said end portion and head against relative longitudinal sliding movement.
9. The combination of Claim 4 in which said head is generally crescent-shaped in transverse section.
10. The combination of Claim 9 in which said second flexible transmitting means comprises a coherent image- transmitting fiberoptic bundle extending through said head along the longitudinal symmetrical midplane thereof.
11. The combination of Claim 10 in which said first flexible transmitting means comprises a light-conducting waveguide extending through said head along one side of said second bundle.
12. The combination of Claim 11 in which an irrigation passage extends through said cable assembly for delivering irrigating fluid through said head to a work area, said irrigating passage extending through said head along the side of said image-transmitting fiberoptic bundle opposite from said light-transmitting waveguide.
13. In combination with a surgical instrument adapted to be held and operated by one hand and equipped with a rigid shank portion terminating in an operating end portion;
- tJRE CHF scope assembly comprising a generally rigid-head portion; viewing means remote from said head portion, and an elongated flexible cable assembly extending between said head portion and said viewing means; connecting means detachably but rigidly securing said head portion alongside said operating end portion of said instrument; said scope assembly including a'fiberoptic waveguide extending through said cable assembly for transmitting light to said head portion for illuminating a work area adjacent the operating end portion of said instrument; and a fiberoptic bundle of oriented fibers extending through said cable from said head portion to said eyepiece for transmitting a coherent image of the work area illuminated by said waveguide; and support means for supporting said viewing means for viewing the image of the illuminated work area by a user.
14. The combination of Claim 13 in which said connecting means comprises at least one spring clip mounted upon said head portion and releasably engaging the operating end portion of said instrument.
15. The combination of Claim 14 in which said operating end portion of said instrument is peripherally grooved to receive said clip and to lock said end portion of said instrument and said head portion of said scope against relative longitudinal sliding movement.
16. The combination of Claim 13 in which said head is generally crescent-shaped in transverse section.
17. The combination of Claim 16 in which said fiber¬ optic bundle extends through said head portion along the longitudinal midplane of symmetry thereof.
18. The combination of Claim 17 in which said wave¬ guide extends through said head portion along one side of said fiberoptic bundle.
19. The combination of Claim 18' in which an irrigation passage extends through said scope assembly for delivering irrigating fluid through said head portion to a work area, . said irrigating passage extending through said head portion., along the side of said fiberoptic bundle opposite from said waveguide.
20. The combination of Claim 13 in which said support means comprises a standard connected at its upper end to said viewing means and equipped at its lower end with means for engaging a stationary support surface.
21. The combination of Claim 13 in which said viewing means comprises an eyepiece and said support means comprises a headband adapted to be worn by a user and equipped with means for retaining said eyepiece.
22. An endoscopic attachment for use with rigid hand¬ held surgical instruments, comprising viewing means, an objective head remote from said eyepiece, and an elongated flexible cable assembly extending therebetween, said cable assembly including first flexible transmitting means extending therethrough for transmitting light to said head for illuminating an operative site adjacent the operating end portion of a surgical instrument and second flexible transmitting means extending through said cable from said head to said viewing means for transmitting an image of an operative site illuminated by said first transmitting means; coupling means for operatively connecting a light source to said first transmitting means; and spring clip means secured to said head for releasably attaching said head to the operating end portion of a rigid hand-held surgical instrument.
<_::__
23. The attachment of Claim 22 in which said head is elongated and generally crescent-shaped in cross section, having a convex top surface and a generally flat under- surface; said spring clip means being secured to said head along said undersurface.
24. The attachment of Claim 23 in which said spring clip means comprises a pair of spring clips spaced longitu¬ dinally apart with respect to said head along the under¬ surface thereof.
25. The attachment of Claims 22, 23, or 24 in which said spring clip means includes a spring arm extending generally transversely beneath said head for flexing movement in a generally transverse plant.
26. The attachment of Claim 23 in which said head includes a rigid outer side casing, said spring clip means being secured to said casing.
• 27. The attachment of Claims 22 or 26 in which said cable assembly includes a sheath of resilient polymeric material surrounding said first and second transmitting means and extending along the length thereof, said sheath have a portion thereof extending into said head.
28. The attachment of Claim 23 in which said second transmitting means extends through said head along the longitudinal midplane of symmetry thereof.
29. The attachment of Claim 28 in which said first transmitting means extends through said head along one side of said second transmitting means. 16
30. The attachment of Claim 29 in which an irrigation passage extends through said cable assembly and head for delivering irrigating fluid to an operative site, said irrigating passage extending through said head along the side of said second transmitting means opposite from said first transmitting means.
^.i-Λ.
PCT/US1982/001236 1981-09-28 1982-09-13 Endoscope assembly and surgical instrument for use therewith WO1983000992A1 (en)

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DE1982902968 DE89989T1 (en) 1981-09-28 1982-09-13 ENDOSCOPE ASSEMBLY AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENT FOR THEIR USE.

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US5518163A (en) * 1992-01-17 1996-05-21 Ethicon, Inc. Endoscopic surgical system with sensing means
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US9033868B2 (en) 1999-06-02 2015-05-19 Covidien Lp Couplings for interconnecting components of an electro-mechanical surgical device
US9662109B2 (en) 1999-06-02 2017-05-30 Covidien Lp Electromechanical drive and remote surgical instrument attachment having computer assisted control capabilities
US8690913B2 (en) 1999-06-02 2014-04-08 Covidien Lp Electromechanical drive and remote surgical instrument attachment having computer assisted control capabilities
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US9078654B2 (en) 1999-06-02 2015-07-14 Covidien Lp Surgical device
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US9241716B2 (en) 1999-06-02 2016-01-26 Covidien Lp Electromechanical drive and remote surgical instrument attachment having computer assisted control capabilities
US9782172B2 (en) 1999-06-02 2017-10-10 Covidien Lp Electromechanical drive and remote surgical instrument attachment having computer assisted control capabilities
US9364200B2 (en) 1999-06-02 2016-06-14 Covidien Lp Electro-mechanical surgical device
US6264087B1 (en) 1999-07-12 2001-07-24 Powermed, Inc. Expanding parallel jaw device for use with an electromechanical driver device
US6505768B2 (en) * 1999-07-12 2003-01-14 Power Medical Interventions, Inc. Expanding parallel jaw device for use with an electromechanical driver device
US8740932B2 (en) 2001-11-30 2014-06-03 Covidien Lp Surgical device
US9867523B2 (en) 2002-01-30 2018-01-16 Covidien Lp Surgical imaging device
US9861362B2 (en) 2002-06-14 2018-01-09 Covidien Lp Surgical device
US8862209B2 (en) 2004-07-09 2014-10-14 Covidien Lp Surgical imaging device
US9282961B2 (en) 2007-09-21 2016-03-15 Covidien Lp Surgical device having multiple drivers
US9204877B2 (en) 2007-09-21 2015-12-08 Covidien Lp Surgical device having a rotatable jaw portion
US9017371B2 (en) 2007-09-21 2015-04-28 Covidien Lp Surgical device having multiple drivers
US10117651B2 (en) 2007-09-21 2018-11-06 Covidien Lp Surgical device having a rotatable jaw portion
US10420548B2 (en) 2007-09-21 2019-09-24 Covidien Lp Surgical device having multiple drivers
US10881397B2 (en) 2007-09-21 2021-01-05 Covidien Lp Surgical device having a rotatable jaw portion
US11317909B2 (en) 2007-09-21 2022-05-03 Covidien Lp Surgical device having multiple drivers
WO2017001379A3 (en) * 2015-06-29 2017-03-02 Fundació Institut D'investigació En Ciències De La Salut Germans Trias I Pujol Devices and kits for assisting in open surgeries
CN107835670A (en) * 2015-06-29 2018-03-23 日耳曼人特里亚斯艾普霍尔健康科学研究院基金会 For aiding in the device and external member of open surgery

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PT75554B (en) 1984-08-09
US4759348A (en) 1988-07-26
AU551780B2 (en) 1986-05-08
PT75554A (en) 1982-10-01
EP0089989A1 (en) 1983-10-05
JPS58501500A (en) 1983-09-08
GR76730B (en) 1984-08-30
IT1152665B (en) 1987-01-07
CA1180620A (en) 1985-01-08
ES516033A0 (en) 1983-12-16
ES8401315A1 (en) 1983-12-16
IT8223480A0 (en) 1982-09-28
EP0089989A4 (en) 1986-01-07
ZA826136B (en) 1983-07-27
AU8956382A (en) 1983-04-08

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