US20160331207A1 - Access visualization systems - Google Patents

Access visualization systems Download PDF

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Publication number
US20160331207A1
US20160331207A1 US15/154,714 US201615154714A US2016331207A1 US 20160331207 A1 US20160331207 A1 US 20160331207A1 US 201615154714 A US201615154714 A US 201615154714A US 2016331207 A1 US2016331207 A1 US 2016331207A1
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Prior art keywords
dilator
endoscope
guide tube
endoscopic system
tissue
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Abandoned
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US15/154,714
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English (en)
Inventor
Tamer Ibrahim
Matthew Monti
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Atricure Inc
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Individual
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Priority to US15/154,714 priority Critical patent/US20160331207A1/en
Assigned to ATRICURE, INC. reassignment ATRICURE, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: IBRAHIM, TAMER, MONTI, MATTHEW
Publication of US20160331207A1 publication Critical patent/US20160331207A1/en
Assigned to SILICON VALLEY BANK reassignment SILICON VALLEY BANK SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ATRICURE, INC., ATRICURE, LLC, ENDOSCOPIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, NCONTACT SURGICAL, LLC
Priority to US17/935,873 priority patent/US12023010B2/en
Assigned to ATRICURE, LLC, ATRICURE, INC., ENDOSCOPIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, SENTREHEART LLC, NCONTACT SURGICAL, LLC reassignment ATRICURE, LLC RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SILICON VALLEY BANK, A DIVISION OF FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • A61B1/00064Constructional details of the endoscope body
    • A61B1/00071Insertion part of the endoscope body
    • A61B1/0008Insertion part of the endoscope body characterised by distal tip features
    • 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
    • A61B1/313Instruments 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 for introducing through surgical openings, e.g. laparoscopes
    • 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
    • A61B1/00064Constructional details of the endoscope body
    • A61B1/00071Insertion part of the endoscope body
    • A61B1/0008Insertion part of the endoscope body characterised by distal tip features
    • A61B1/00087Tools
    • 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
    • A61B1/00154Holding or positioning arrangements using guiding arrangements for insertion
    • 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
    • A61B1/005Flexible endoscopes
    • A61B1/01Guiding arrangements therefore
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61MDEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M29/00Dilators with or without means for introducing media, e.g. remedies

Definitions

  • Scope based surgical tools provide surgeons with an ability to view a surgical site through a lens/fiber optic/camera of the scope and also provide an ability to access the surgical site through a working channel of the tool.
  • a scope permits the surgeon to access internal body tissue by passing the scope through a small diameter opening, port, or trocar placed in a surface of the body.
  • an endoscope as a scope-based device.
  • inventive devices and methods described herein specifically include the use of any number of scope based devices generally similar to an endoscope; for example, any type of rigid or flexible tube with or without a light delivery system and a visualization source that transmits an image to the viewer, and (optionally) a working channel or lumen that permits delivery of an additional device through the scope.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,816 (the entirety of which is incorporated by reference) teaches a simple blunt dissector having a cannulated single lumen device with a mandrel inserted into the device for carrying a simple textured cloth that provides a textured surface.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,816 (the entirety of which is incorporated by reference) teaches a simple blunt dissector having a cannulated single lumen device with a mandrel inserted into the device for carrying a simple textured cloth that provides a textured surface.
  • the additional blunt dissector requires an additional entry port or must be exchanged with other tools that are advanced through the entry site.
  • a physician must manipulate a scope as well as the blunt dissection device.
  • scopes are being adapted to assist in the dissection of tissue to eliminate the need for an additional dissection device.
  • Many conventional devices rely upon balloon-type structures for dissection of tissue via expansion of the balloon or close-ended obturator-type structures that dissect via dilation via insertion of the closed end.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,989,018 to Fogarty et at discloses a balloon dissection apparatus having an elongate balloon that performs the tissue dissection.
  • this dissection relies upon somewhat uncontrollable expansion of the balloon (as the internal balloon pressure increases)
  • the physician typically has less control over the amount of tissue dissection as compared to using a non-expanding structure to physically dissect tissue.
  • balloon dissection or dissection via obturator dilation as described above do not provide the physician with the ability to tease or loosen adjoining tissue for a more controlled dissection of tissue.
  • the present method of solving this problem is using an integrated endoscope system, which provides electrophysiologists or interventional cardiologists visualization of the access procedure.
  • the benefit of the integrated endoscope system is that it provides a safe and easy seamless passage for entering the pericardial space with visualization to minimize trauma to the heart.
  • the integrated endoscope system may provide access to the pericardial space by percutaneous pericardial access.
  • the improved methods and devices described herein offer improved access to tissue regions within the body, especially those organs in the thoracic cavity. However, the devices and methods have applicability to any region in the body apart from the thoracic cavity.
  • the present system includes an endoscope configured to provide remote visualization; a dilator member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a distal end, and a dilator passage extending from the proximal portion through the distal end, the dilator member further comprising a dilation surface located about an outer surface at the distal portion, where a profile of the dilator surface increases in size along a proximal direction such that insertion of the dilator portion in an opening in tissue dilates the tissue; a guide tube extending from the distal end of the dilator member and having a guide passage in fluid communication with the dilator passage; and where the endoscope is advanceable through the guide tube passage such that a visualization end of the endoscope can be repositioned within the guide tube.
  • the variation of the above system can further include a second endoscope extending through the dilator member and radially offset from the guide tube.
  • the second endoscope comprises a second visualization end exiting at a dilation surface of the dilator member.
  • Variations of the system can include a configuration where the dilator member is slidable relative to the guide member.
  • any portion of the system can be transparent.
  • additional variations include portions of the system that are opaque.
  • the guide member described herein can be removable from the dilator member or fixed to the dilator member.
  • the present disclosure includes a dilation system for use with an endoscope configured to provide remote visualization, the endoscope comprising a visualization end located at a distal portion, the dilation, system comprising: a dilator member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a distal end, and a dilator passage extending from the proximal portion through the distal end, the dilator member further comprising a dilation surface located about an outer surface at the distal portion, where a profile of the dilator surface increases in size along a proximal direction such that insertion of the dilator portion in an opening in tissue dilates the tissue; a guide tube extending from the distal end of the dilator member and having a guide passage in fluid communication with the dilator passage; and where the endoscope is advanceable through the guide tube passage such that the visualization end of the endoscope can be repositioned within the guide tube.
  • the present disclosure includes methods for placement of an endoscope adjacent to a target site, in one example such a method comprises positioning an access device adjacent to an opening in tissue, the access device comprising a guide tube and a dilator member, where the guide tube is coupled, to at a distal end of the dilator member; inserting the guide tube of the access device within the opening in tissue; dilating the opening in tissue by advancing the dilator member of the access device through the opening in tissue; and imaging the target site using the endoscope while the endoscope is positioned through the dilator member.
  • the method can further include visualizing using the endoscope while inserting the guide tube of the access de vice within the opening.
  • the method includes an opening in tissue which comprises an opening in a pericardial space.
  • the method includes a guide tube is transparent and further comprising visualizing through a wall of the guide tube using the endoscope.
  • the dilator can be transparent and the method further comprises visualizing through a wall of the guide tube using the endoscope.
  • the endoscope is affixed to the dilator member and where imaging the target site using the endoscope while the endoscope is positioned through the dilator member comprises repositioning the dilator member to reposition the endoscope.
  • Variations of the method further include advancing a second endoscope through the guide tube.
  • the present methods can include the use of any conventional device to assist in accessing the body.
  • the methods can further include advancing a guidewire through the opening in tissue and where inserting the guide tube comprises advancing the guide tube over the guidewire.
  • FIG. 1A illustrates a first variation of an endoscopic system or dilation system (when the endoscope is a stand-alone added component).
  • FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate additional variations of systems for navigation of an endoscopic device.
  • FIGS. 2A to 2C illustrate another variation of a dilation system that can optionally be integrated with, an endoscope external to a guide tube of the system.
  • FIG. 3 shows another variation of the system similar to that shown in FIG. 2A .
  • the system includes two scopes.
  • FIGS. 4A-4E illustrates a variation of a process of positioning or placing an endoscope using the system described herein
  • Methods and devices described herein provide for improved access of regions within the body using remote visualization, such as endoscopes.
  • the improved methods and devices described herein offer improved access to tissue regions within the body, especially those organs in the thoracic cavity.
  • the following example discusses the methods and devices as used when a physician accesses a pericardial, space within a thoracic cavity of an individual, however, the devices and methods have applicability to any region in the body where the benefits of the methods and procedures can assist in the procedure.
  • Scope based surgical tools provide surgeons with an ability to view a surgical site through a lens/fiber optic/camera of the scope and also provide an ability to access the surgical site through a working channel of the tool.
  • a scope permits the surgeon to access internal body tissue by passing the scope through a small diameter opening, port, or trocar placed in a surface of the body.
  • an endoscope as a scope-based device.
  • inventive devices and methods described herein specifically include the use of any number of scope based devices used for remotely viewing an area of tissue generally similar to an endoscope; for example, any type of rigid or flexible tube with or without a light delivery system and a visualization source that transmits an image to the viewer, and (optionally) a working channel or lumen that permits delivery of an additional device through the scope.
  • FIG. 1A illustrates a first variation under tire present disclosure of an endoscopic system 100 or dilation system 100 (when the endoscope is a stand-alone added component).
  • the system 100 includes a dilator member 102 having a distal dilation surface 106 and a dilator passage 108 extending therethrough.
  • a guide tube 104 extends distally from the dilator passage 108 allowing for an endoscope 150 to be advanced therethrough.
  • the end 110 of the guide tube 194 can be open or can be closed, in the illustrated variation, the end 110 of the guide tube 104 is configured to be atraumatic.
  • the components of the system 100 can include any conventional features useful for medical devices and/or procedures.
  • the system 100 can be configured for coupling to a visual display 50 for viewing the images transmitted/relayed from the visualization end 152 of the endoscope 150 .
  • the system can include any number of auxiliary fixtures (such as a fluid source, vacuum source, controller for electrodes/pacing, etc.)
  • the guide tube 104 and/or dilator member 102 can have steering capabilities or pre-set shapes to assist in navigating the respective component within tissue.
  • FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate additional variations of systems 100 for navigation of an endoscopic device 150 .
  • the guide tube 104 can optionally extend through the length of the dilator 102 and can optionally move relative to the dilator 102 as indicated by arrows 112 .
  • the dilation surface 106 of the variation shown in FIG. 1B can be stepped rather than conical (as shown in FIG. 1A ).
  • any atraumatic shape can be used for the dilation surface 106 .
  • FIG. 1C also illustrates a dilator 102 having an additional dilation feature 114 such as a distensible or non-distensible balloon 114 .
  • one or more of the components can be configured to assist or improve visualization of a target site by the endoscope.
  • the dilator and/or the guide sheath can be fabricated from opaque or transparent materials.
  • the dilator and/or guide tube can include a transparent window that assist in visualization by the endoscope.
  • FIGS. 2A to 2C illustrate another variation of a dilation system 100 (that can optionally be integrated with an endoscope 160 ).
  • a dilator 102 includes a guide tube 100 ex tending therethrough with the distal end of the guide tube 110 extending beyond the dilation surface 106 of the dilator 102 .
  • this variation also includes an internal endoscope 160 that is adjacent to the guide tube 110 .
  • Such a configuration allows the internal endoscope 160 to provide an unobstructed view (via the display 50 ) allowing the physician to visualize the tissue adjacent to the dilation surface 106 as the dilator advances.
  • FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate the end of the dilator 102 shown in FIG. 2A .
  • the dilator 102 can include a scalloped opening or one where there are two passages that are parallel
  • the passages 108 and 114 can be joined (as shown in FIG. 2B ) or separated (such as those found in a multi-lumen tube). Additional variations of the dilator opening can include various other shapes. However, in the illustrated variation, the opening 114 provides space tor the internal scope (as shown in FIG. 2C ). Similar to the variation shown in FIG. 1A , the dilator and/or guide tube may be composed of either opaque or transparent materials.
  • the internal scope 160 can be affixed to the dilator as shown in FIG. 2C . Alternatively, the scope 160 can be moveable relative to the dilator 102 .
  • FIG. 3 shows another variation of the system 108 similar to the one shown in FIG. 2A .
  • the system 100 includes two scopes 150 , 160 .
  • the dilator member 102 includes an internal scope 160 (either fixed or moveable within the dilator member 102 ).
  • An additional scope 150 can be advanced through the guide member 104 as discussed above with respect to FIG. 1A .
  • the variation shown in FIG. 3 can include an additional monitor/display 52 .
  • the image generated by both scopes 150 , 160 can be projected on both monitors or a single monitor.
  • FIGS. 4A-4E illustrates a variation of a process of positioning or placing an endoscope using the system described herein.
  • a variation of the procedure uses minimal incisions 10 and 12 to access the chest cavity.
  • an incision 14 can be made that requires traversing a diaphragm of the individual 1 in order to access the thoracic cavity.
  • the procedure can be performed percutaneously.
  • alternate variations of the method can occur in an open surgical procedure or with any number of surgical incisions.
  • the integrated system can be inserted into the patient through any number of conventionally known access methods.
  • FIG. 4B illustrates a heart 4 surrounded by a pericardium 4 in order to demonstrate an example of a process for placement of a scope using the system described herein.
  • a commercially available dilator e.g., for renal applications
  • a physician can percutaneously insert a needle 20 into the pericardial sac 4 via an initial pericardial incision or entry point 6 .
  • a guidewire 22 can be delivered through the needle 20 into the pericardial space.
  • a physician can use an expandable cannula to Insert die integrated system disclosed herein.
  • the physician can use this expandable cannula with an initial insertion profile to minimize the size the pericardial opening to enter the pericardium. Once inserted, the physician expands the expandable cannula to al low for insertion of any of the disclosed integrated endoscope systems.
  • FIG. 4C illustrates the state where the physician removes the needle 20 leaving the guidewire 22 in place.
  • the physician introduces a system 100 adjacent to the site and advances a guide tube 104 over the guidewire 22 through the pericardial incision 6 and into the pericardial space.
  • a first scope 150 can optionally be inserted through the guide tube 104 to assist the physician by allowing for visualization of the in the pericardial space that is otherwise obscured by the pericardium 4 .
  • the guidewire 22 must be removed to advance the scope 150 .
  • the guide tube 104 is configured to accommodate both a scope and guidewire.
  • variations of the system including an internal scope 160 allow the physician visual access to the region adjacent to the distal end of the dilator member 102 and guide tube 104 .
  • FIGS. 4D and 4E illustrate examples of a dual scope system and a single scope system, respectively.
  • a physician can use an internal scope 160 that is positioned adjacent to a dilation surface 106 of the dilator member 102 for visualization.
  • the physician also has the option of using a second scope 150 that passes through the guide tube 104
  • FIG. 4E illustrates an example of the system where the scope 150 is positioned through the guide tube 104 .
  • the physician can advance the dilator member 102 to further dilate the opening 6 .
  • the physician can then advance an additional cannula or a hollow sheath the dilator member of the system.
  • a commercial dilator can be advanced over the dilator member 102 to permit removal of the dilator member 102 and system to prepare the site for further surgical devices.
  • integrated vacuum coagulation probes provided by AtriCure, Ohio, are examples of devices that can be inserted through the openings provided by the systems described above. Such devices are capable of heating the soft tissue until achieving irreversible injury making the soft tissue non-viable and unable to propagate electrical impulses, mutate, or reproduce.
  • integrated vacuum coagulation probe embodiments maybe in conjunction with the access devices described herein to treat atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia or other arrhythmia substrate, or eliminating cancer in lung, or other soft thoracic tissue by destroying target cells.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Endoscopes (AREA)
  • Instruments For Viewing The Inside Of Hollow Bodies (AREA)
  • Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
  • Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
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Cited By (2)

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US20210315443A1 (en) * 2020-04-08 2021-10-14 Boston Scientific Limited Medical device platforms and methods of using the same
US12023010B2 (en) 2015-05-13 2024-07-02 Atricure, Inc. Access visualization systems

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HK1254157A1 (zh) 2019-07-12
US20230021205A1 (en) 2023-01-19
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EP4233977A2 (fr) 2023-08-30
US12023010B2 (en) 2024-07-02
JP2018519879A (ja) 2018-07-26
EP3294107A1 (fr) 2018-03-21
EP3294107A4 (fr) 2019-06-12
EP4233977A3 (fr) 2023-10-04
CN107920719B (zh) 2020-04-24
EP3294107B8 (fr) 2023-11-08
EP3294107C0 (fr) 2023-10-04
WO2016183503A1 (fr) 2016-11-17

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