US6190330B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscopic location and vacuum assembly and method
Assignee: Vision Sciences Inc
•
Filing: 1999-08-09
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Granted: 2001-02-20
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Expires: 2019-08-09
Abstract
Abstract An endoscopic assembly usable with an external first location indicator to assist an operator in positioning a distal end of the assembly at a desired location within a patient and creating a partial vacuum at or collecting a sample from the desired location during an endoscopic procedure, and a method for creating a partial vacuum at or collecting a sample from the desired location within the patient, are shown and described. In one embodiment, the endoscopic assembly has an elongated member and a second position indicator component. The elongated member has a distal end configured to be inserted into the patient and a proximal end portion. A bore extends from the proximal end portion of the elongated member to its distal end. The second position indicator component is sized to slidably engage the bore of the elongated member. The operator can manipulate the second position indicator component to move the position indicator component between first and second positions. In the first position, the second position indicator component is substantially adjacent to the distal end of the elongated member and communicates with the first position indicator component to aid the operator in positioning the distal end of the elongated member at the desired location within the patient. In the second position, the second position indicator component is spaced from the distal end of the elongated member toward the proximal end portion to create a void between the second position indicator component and the distal end of the elongated member. The second position indicator component is conformed to the internal surface of the bore to create a partial vacuum near the distal end of the elongated member at the desired location when the second location indicator is moved from the first position to the second position.
Inventors
- 👤 E. Paul Harhen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0233; A61B10/0283; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
An endoscopic assembly usable with an external first position indicator component and for creating a partial vacuum at a desired location within the patient during an endoscopic procedure, the endoscopic assembly comprising: an elongated member having a distal end configured to be inserted into the patient and a proximal end portion configured to remain external to the patient during the procedure, and a bore extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end; and a second position indicator component sized to slide within the bore and slidably engage the elongated member, the second position indicator component being manipulable to move within the bore between first and second positions, in the first position the second position indicator component is substantially adjacent to the distal end of the elongated member and is communicable with the first position indicator component to aid the operator in positioning the distal end of the elongated member in the patient near the desired location, in the second position the second position indicator component is spaced from the distal end of the elongated member toward the proximal end portion to create a void between the second position indicator component and the distal end of the elongated member, the second position indicator component being sized relative to the bore to create a partial vacuum near the distal end of the elongated member at the desired location when the second position indicator component is moved from the first position to the second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
An endoscopic assembly usable with an external first position indicator component and for creating a partial vacuum at a desired location within the patient during an endoscopic procedure, the endoscopic assembly comprising: an elongated member having a distal end configured to be inserted into the patient and a proximal end portion configured to remain external to the patient during the procedure, and a bore extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end; and a second position indicator component sized to slide within the bore and slidably engage the elongated member, the second position indicator component being manipulable to move within the bore between first and second positions, in the first position the second position indicator component is substantially adjacent to the distal end of the elongated member and is communicable with the first position indicator component to aid the operator in positioning the distal end of the elongated member in the patient near the desired location, in the second position the second position indicator component is spaced from the distal end of the elongated member toward the proximal end portion to create a void between the second position indicator component and the distal end of the elongated member, the second position indicator component being sized relative to the bore to create a partial vacuum near the distal end of the elongated member at the desired location when the second position indicator component is moved from the first position to the second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the second position indicator component and manipulable to move the second position indicator component between the first and second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 2 , further comprising an elongated attachment member having first and second ends, the first end of the attachment member being coupled to the actuator and the second end of the attachment member being coupled to the second position indicator component.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 3 wherein the attachment member comprises a wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the proximal end portion of the elongated member, the actuator being accessible to the operator, and a portion of the bore between the actuator and the homing device comprising a working fluid having a pressure such that the actuator is in fluid communication with the second position indicator component and is manipulable to move the second position indicator component between the first and second positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 5 wherein the working fluid is water and the actuator comprises a hydraulic reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a biopsy needle attached to the distal end of the elongated member, the biopsy needle having a channel therethrough extending between the bore of the elongated member and a point external to the elongated member for receiving a sample from within the patient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongated member is at least partially flexible.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 1 wherein the second position indicator component comprises a sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 1 wherein the second position indicator component comprises a transmitter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 1 wherein the bore has an internal surface and the second position indicator component has an external surface configured to sealably engage the internal surface of the bore.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 1 wherein the bore has an internal surface and the second position indicator component has an external surface, and further comprising at least a first sealing element attached to the second position indicator component and sealably engagable with the internal surface of the bore.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
279 words
An endoscopic assembly usable with an external first position indicator component and for collecting a sample from a desired location within a patient during an endoscopic procedure, the endoscopic assembly comprising: an elongated member having a proximal end portion configured to remain external to the patient during the procedure, an open distal end configured to be inserted into the patient, and a bore extending between the proximal end portion and the distal end; and a second position indicator component sized to slide within the bore and to slidably engage the elongated member, the second position indicator component being manipulable to move within the bore between first and second positions, in the first position the second position indicator component is located within the bore substantially adjacent to the distal end of the elongated member and the second position indicator component is communicable with the first position indicator component to aid the operator in positioning the distal end of the elongated member within the patient near the desired location, and in the second position the second position indicator component is spaced apart from the distal end of the elongated member toward the proximal end to create a sample collection area in the bore between the second position indicator component and the distal end of the elongated member, the second position indicator component being sized to closely fit within the bore to create a partial vacuum near the distal end of the elongated member when the second position indicator component is moved from the first position to the second position for collecting a sample from the desired location through the open distal end and retaining the sample within the sample collection area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
279 words
An endoscopic assembly usable with an external first position indicator component and for collecting a sample from a desired location within a patient during an endoscopic procedure, the endoscopic assembly comprising: an elongated member having a proximal end portion configured to remain external to the patient during the procedure, an open distal end configured to be inserted into the patient, and a bore extending between the proximal end portion and the distal end; and a second position indicator component sized to slide within the bore and to slidably engage the elongated member, the second position indicator component being manipulable to move within the bore between first and second positions, in the first position the second position indicator component is located within the bore substantially adjacent to the distal end of the elongated member and the second position indicator component is communicable with the first position indicator component to aid the operator in positioning the distal end of the elongated member within the patient near the desired location, and in the second position the second position indicator component is spaced apart from the distal end of the elongated member toward the proximal end to create a sample collection area in the bore between the second position indicator component and the distal end of the elongated member, the second position indicator component being sized to closely fit within the bore to create a partial vacuum near the distal end of the elongated member when the second position indicator component is moved from the first position to the second position for collecting a sample from the desired location through the open distal end and retaining the sample within the sample collection area.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 13 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the second position indicator component, the actuator being manipulable to move the second position indicator component between the first and second positions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 14 , further comprising an elongated attachment member having first and second ends, the first end of the attachment member being coupled to the actuator and the second end of the attachment member being coupled to the second position indicator component.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 15 wherein the attachment member comprises a wire.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
80 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 13 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the proximal end portion of the elongated member, the actuator being accessible to the operator, and a portion of the bore between the actuator and the second position indicator component comprising a working fluid having a pressure such that the actuator is in fluid communication with the second position indicator component and is manipulable to move the second position indicator component between the first and second positions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 17 wherein the working fluid is water and the actuator comprises a hydraulic reservoir.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 13 , further comprising a biopsy needle attached to the distal end of the elongated member, the biopsy needle having a channel therethrough extending between the bore of the elongated member and a point external to the elongated member for receiving a sample from within the patient.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 13 wherein the elongated member is at least partially flexible.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 13 wherein the second position indicator component comprises a sensor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 13 wherein the second position indicator component comprises a transmitter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 13 wherein the bore has an internal surface and the second position indicator component has an external surface configured to sealably engage the internal surface of the bore.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
The endoscopic assembly of claim 13 wherein the bore has an internal surface and the second position indicator component has an external surface, and further comprising at least a first sealing element attached to the second position indicator component and sealably engagable with the internal surface of the bore.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
314 words
An endoscopic system usable with an external first position indicator component and for creating a partial vacuum at a desired location within a patient during an endoscopic procedure, the system comprising: a first elongated member having a distal end configured to be inserted into the patient and a proximal end portion configured to remain external to the patient during the procedure, the first elongated member having at least a first bore extending from the proximal end portion through the distal end; a second elongated member having a proximal end portion and a distal end, the second elongated member being slidably insertable into the first bore and selectively extendable beyond the distal end of the first elongated member, the second elongated member having a second bore extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end of the second elongated member; and a second position indicator component slidably engagable with the bore of the second elongated member, the second position indicator component being manipulable to move within the second bore between first and second positions, in the first position the second position indicator component is substantially adjacent to the distal end of the second elongated member and is communicable with the first position indicator component to aid the operator in positioning the distal end of the second elongated member in the patient to the desired location, in the second position the second position indicator component is spaced from the distal end of the second elongated member toward the proximal end portion to create a void between the second position indicator component and the distal end of the second elongated member, the second position indicator component being sized relative to the bore to create a partial vacuum near the distal end of the second elongated member at the desired location when the second position indicator component is moved from the first position to the second position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
314 words
An endoscopic system usable with an external first position indicator component and for creating a partial vacuum at a desired location within a patient during an endoscopic procedure, the system comprising: a first elongated member having a distal end configured to be inserted into the patient and a proximal end portion configured to remain external to the patient during the procedure, the first elongated member having at least a first bore extending from the proximal end portion through the distal end; a second elongated member having a proximal end portion and a distal end, the second elongated member being slidably insertable into the first bore and selectively extendable beyond the distal end of the first elongated member, the second elongated member having a second bore extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end of the second elongated member; and a second position indicator component slidably engagable with the bore of the second elongated member, the second position indicator component being manipulable to move within the second bore between first and second positions, in the first position the second position indicator component is substantially adjacent to the distal end of the second elongated member and is communicable with the first position indicator component to aid the operator in positioning the distal end of the second elongated member in the patient to the desired location, in the second position the second position indicator component is spaced from the distal end of the second elongated member toward the proximal end portion to create a void between the second position indicator component and the distal end of the second elongated member, the second position indicator component being sized relative to the bore to create a partial vacuum near the distal end of the second elongated member at the desired location when the second position indicator component is moved from the first position to the second position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The endoscopic system of claim 25 wherein the first elongated member comprises a sheath, and wherein the bore of the first elongated member comprises a working channel extending from the distal end to the proximal end portion of the sheath.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for creating a partial vacuum at a desired location within a patient, the method comprising: providing an elongated member having proximal end portion, an open distal end and a bore extending therebetween; positioning a position indicator component within the bore of the elongated member and substantially adjacent to the open distal end; inserting the elongated member and the position indicator component into the patient; detecting the position of the position indicator component within the patient relative to a selected location in the patient; moving the position indicator component and the open distal end of the elongated member as a unit to the desired location within the patient; and creating the partial vacuum at the desired location by moving the position indicator component within the bore proximally away from the open distal end and toward the proximal end portion of the elongated member to create the partial vacuum in the bore near the open distal end of the elongated member at the desired location as the position indicator component moves from the first position to the second position.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for creating a partial vacuum at a desired location within a patient, the method comprising: providing an elongated member having proximal end portion, an open distal end and a bore extending therebetween; positioning a position indicator component within the bore of the elongated member and substantially adjacent to the open distal end; inserting the elongated member and the position indicator component into the patient; detecting the position of the position indicator component within the patient relative to a selected location in the patient; moving the position indicator component and the open distal end of the elongated member as a unit to the desired location within the patient; and creating the partial vacuum at the desired location by moving the position indicator component within the bore proximally away from the open distal end and toward the proximal end portion of the elongated member to create the partial vacuum in the bore near the open distal end of the elongated member at the desired location as the position indicator component moves from the first position to the second position.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising the step of positioning the elongated member in a working channel of an endoscopic assembly.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the endoscopic assembly comprises a sheath insulating the elongated member from the patient.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the elongated member is positioned in the working channel of the endoscopic assembly before the endoscopic assembly is inserted into the patient.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the position indicator component, and wherein moving the position indicator component within the bore comprises manipulating the actuator from a position external to the patient and drawing the position indicator component axially within the bore toward the proximal end of the elongated member to create a void in the bore adjacent to the open distal end.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
114 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the proximal end portion of the elongated member, and wherein the bore between the actuator and the position indicator component contains a working fluid having a pressure such that the actuator is in fluid communication with the position indicator component, and wherein moving the position indicator component within the bore comprises manipulating the actuator to decrease the pressure in the working fluid between the actuator and the position indicator component and drawing the position indicator component axially within the bore toward the proximal end portion of the elongated member to create a void in the bore adjacent to the open distal end.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the bore has an internal surface and the position indicator component has an external surface, and wherein positioning the position indicator component within the bore comprises sealably engaging the external surface of the position indicator component with the internal surface of the bore.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for positioning a distal end of an endoscopic device at a desired location within a patient and collecting at least a first sample from the desired location, the method comprising: providing an elongated member having proximal end portion, an open distal end and a bore extending therebetween; positioning a position indicator component within the bore of the elongated member in a first position substantially adjacent to the open distal end; detecting the position of the desired location within the patient; detecting the position of the position indicator component; inserting the elongated member and the position indicator component into the patient; moving the position indicator component and the open distal end of the elongated member as a unit to the desired location within the patient; collecting samples by moving the position indicator component within the bore proximally away from the first position and to a second position toward the proximal end portion of the elongated member; and drawing the first sample into the bore from the desired location as the position indicator component is moved from the first position to the second position.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for positioning a distal end of an endoscopic device at a desired location within a patient and collecting at least a first sample from the desired location, the method comprising: providing an elongated member having proximal end portion, an open distal end and a bore extending therebetween; positioning a position indicator component within the bore of the elongated member in a first position substantially adjacent to the open distal end; detecting the position of the desired location within the patient; detecting the position of the position indicator component; inserting the elongated member and the position indicator component into the patient; moving the position indicator component and the open distal end of the elongated member as a unit to the desired location within the patient; collecting samples by moving the position indicator component within the bore proximally away from the first position and to a second position toward the proximal end portion of the elongated member; and drawing the first sample into the bore from the desired location as the position indicator component is moved from the first position to the second position.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 34 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the position indicator component, and wherein moving the position indicator component within the bore between the first and second positions comprises manipulating the actuator from a position external to the elongated member and drawing the position indicator component axially within the bore toward the proximal end of the elongated member to create a void in the bore adjacent to the open distal end.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
131 words
The method of claim 34 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the proximal end portion of the elongated member, the actuator being at least partially accessible to the operator, a portion of the bore between the actuator and the position indicator component containing a working fluid having a pressure such that the actuator is in fluid communication with the position indicator component, and wherein moving the position indicator component within the bore between the first and second positions comprises manipulating the actuator to decrease the pressure in the working fluid between the actuator and the position indicator component and drawing the position indicator component axially within the bore toward the proximal end portion of the elongated member to create a void in the bore adjacent to the open distal end.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 34 for further collecting at least a second sample, further comprising moving the position indicator component within the bore proximally away from the second position and to a third position toward the proximal end portion of the elongated member to create the partial vacuum in the bore adjacent to the open distal end of the elongated member at the desired location for drawing the first sample into the bore from the desired location.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-02-20 | 2004-08-21 | 2005-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-20 | 2008-08-21 | 2009-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-20 | 2012-08-21 | 2013-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |