Patent US4945895A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4945895A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Remote fiber optic medical procedure and device
Assignee: Cook Urological Inc
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Filing: 1989-03-20
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Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2009-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A medical procedure involving direction of the operative end of a medical instrument via observation through a remote small caliber fiber optic bundle disposed through a prepositioned needle lumen.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuo Takai
- 👤 Scott Genty
- 👤 Frederick D. Roemer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/307; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165; A61B1/06; A61B1/07; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/22031
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
An endoscopic method comprising the steps of: A. inserting a medical instrument into the body, said instrument having at least one operative end; B. penetrating into the body remote from said instrument with a needle having a lumen; C. introducing a fiber optic means through the lumen of said needle, said fiber optic means being also remote from said medical instrument; and, D. guiding the operative end of said medical instrument under vision via said remote fiber optic means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
An endoscopic method comprising the steps of: A. inserting a medical instrument into the body, said instrument having at least one operative end; B. penetrating into the body remote from said instrument with a needle having a lumen; C. introducing a fiber optic means through the lumen of said needle, said fiber optic means being also remote from said medical instrument; and, D. guiding the operative end of said medical instrument under vision via said remote fiber optic means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said penetrating with said needle is accomplished percutaneously.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 2 additionally comprising the step of: E. placing an obturating stylet through the lumen of said needle prior to penetrating with said needle into the body and removing said stylet prior to said introducing said fiber optic means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said needle is of 0.049 inch or a smaller outer diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 and further wherein said needle is of 0.039 inch or smaller inner diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fiber optic means is of 0.039 inch or less outer diameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fiber optic means comprises a fiber optic bundle, said fiber optic bundle including approximately 4,000 glass fibers, and wherein approximately 40 of said glass fibers are used to transmit light into the body cavity, and further wherein the remaining said glass fibers are used to return an image from the body cavity to a transmission means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said transmission means comprises an amplification means for magnifying the image from the body cavity and a viewing means for viewing the magnified image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said viewing means comprises a cathode ray tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 and further comprising the step of: F. initially directing said medical instrument under external guidance means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10 wherein steps A and F are accomplished before steps B and C, and further wherein steps B and C take place before step D.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said external guidance means is a flouroscope.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said external guidance means utilizes ultrasound.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said inserting of said medical instrument is through existing anatomical ducts.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said medical instrument is a catheter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the catheter is a multi-lumen catheter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said inserting of said medical instrument is through the urethra.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said multi-lumen catheter comprises a lumen for delivery of fluids and a lumen for delivery of operative accessory devices.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 18 and further wherein said multi-lumen catheter also comprises a lumen for drainage, a balloon, a lumen for inflating the balloon, and a lumen for steering means to render the catheter steerable.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for performing a medical procedure inside the body comprising: a needle, said needle having a lumen; an obturating stylet insertable within the lumen of said needle and removable after said needle is positioned; a fiber optic means insertable through the lumen of said needle after removal of said obturating stylet; and a medical instrument having at least one operative end, said medical instrument being remotely guidable under vision via said fiber optic means.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for performing a medical procedure inside the body comprising: a needle, said needle having a lumen; an obturating stylet insertable within the lumen of said needle and removable after said needle is positioned; a fiber optic means insertable through the lumen of said needle after removal of said obturating stylet; and a medical instrument having at least one operative end, said medical instrument being remotely guidable under vision via said fiber optic means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said needle is of 0.049 inch or a smaller outer diameter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the inner diameter of said needle is of 0.039 inch or smaller.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the fiber optic means comprises a fiber optic bundle, said fiber optic bundle including approximately 4,000 glass fibers, and wherein approximately 40 of said glass fibers are used to transmit light into the body cavity, and further wherein the remaining said glass fibers are used to transmit an image from the body cavity to a transmission means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said transmission means comprises an amplification means for magnifying the image from the body cavity and a viewing means for viewing the magnified image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said viewing means comprises a cathode ray tube.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |