Abstract:
A cystoscope device and method for operating and using same are disclosed. The cystoscope comprises a sheath and a bridge removably connected thereto. The bridge includes an offset lens assembly including an upper eyepiece; a light source, and a fiber optic connected to a light source. The lens or eyepiece enables observation within a urological organ while contemporaneously conducting a urological procedure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a completion application of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/030,934, filed Jul. 30, 2014 for “Cystoscopic Device and Methods for Operating Same”, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, including the drawing. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This present invention relates to cystoscopy procedures and, more particularly, to cystoscope devices and methods for operating same. 
         [0004]    2. Prior Art 
         [0005]    Known cystoscopes are typically used for diagnostic and surgical medical procedures such as a cystoscopy. Cystoscopes are used to examine the urinary bladder and the interior urethra wall. Typically, cystoscopes have a flexible insertion tube that is inserted into a patient during a cystoscopy procedure. During insertion, the position of the distal end of the insertion tube is controlled by control devices on the cystoscope&#39;s handle at the proximal end of the insertion tube. 
         [0006]    Known cystoscopes have channels that extend along the length of the cystoscope and come into contact with body tissues and fluids during the procedure. These channels allow air insufflation into a body cavity, water flow to wash the cystoscope&#39;s tip, suction through the tip, and biopsies to be taken. The channels must be sufficiently flexible to bend with the insertion tube through the short radius turns. The channels also must substantially maintain their cross-sectional shape and resist kinking to assure continuous air flow, water flow, suction, and biopsy capabilities throughout the procedure. 
         [0007]    A cystoscopy is an uncomfortable procedure utilized for the unambiguous diagnosis of bladder cancer, cleansing procedures, and surgical operations including abnormality removal. Cystoscopy enables the identification of abnormalities that may be missed by other diagnostic modalities such as ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. In some cystoscopy devices a lighting instrument is integrally connected to view inside the bladder and urethral wall during insertion. Medical professionals may begin the procedure by cleansing the urethra using a flow of fluid or retrograde pyelogram. In performing a retrograde pyelogram through the cystoscope, a small plastic tube is inserted into the ureter, and contrast material is injected into the ureter and kidney. After cleansing, a typical cystoscopy procedure involves the use of various instruments inserted individually through the channel. A typical cleansing maneuver includes: (1) channeling a camera device through the channel; (2) identifying an abnormality; (3) positioning the cystoscope to air removal; (4) removing the camera device; and (5) inserting a surgical device to remove the abnormality such as a suctioning device or scrapper. 
         [0008]    In a conventional cystoscope a suctioning instrument or other device (not shown) is removably mounted at the opening portion 32 for traversal or through the hollow instrument channel out the distal opening portion  13  and the lens is removed. 
         [0009]    Prior to the present invention, a lens or camera and suction instruments would be separately inserted, requiring an operator to alternate between instruments. For example, a surgeon-operator would view tissue until finding an abnormality. At this point the surgeon-operator would remove the camera or lens device from the sheath, which remains in place within the urethra. The surgeon-operator subsequently inserts the desired surgical tool, e.g., a suction instrument  40 , into the sheath for removal or the identified abnormality and repeats by removing the surgical tool and reinserting the camera device. This interruption of the surgical procedure must be performed frequently when known cystoscopes are used. These periodic interruptions produce dangerous difficulties such as temporary loss of visual orientation, prolonged bleeding and extended operative time. 
         [0010]    Thus, a conventional cystoscope does not permit a simultaneous procedure and observation. 
         [0011]    As the cystoscopy is an uncomfortable and often painful procedure, any temporal efficiency achieved would be advantageous. Hence, there is a need to decrease procedure time using a cystoscope having a dual camera and instrument capability. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    A cystoscope device and method for operating and using same are disclosed. The cystoscope comprises a sheath and a bridge removably connected thereto. The bridge includes an offset lens assembly including an upper eyepiece; a light source, and a fiber optic connected to the light source. The lens or eyepiece enables observation within a urological organ. 
         [0013]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. In the drawing like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art, conventional cystoscope; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of a cystoscope, partly in cross-section, in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    As is known to the skilled artisan, endoscopic instruments are widely used in urology and are introduced through the urethra to perform various medical procedures at the operative field such as the bladder, prostate or urethra. Typical instruments being the resectoscope, urethro-cystoscope, lithotriptor, and biopsy endoscopic forceps. For ease of description and illustration, the specification herein will disclose and describe the invention in specific connection with a cystoscope and, therefore, should not be limited thereby. 
         [0017]    Referring now to the drawing and, in particular,  FIG. 1  there is depicted a conventional cystoscope  10 . The cystoscope  10  includes a tubular sheath  14  which provides a passageway through the human urethra to the area of visual and operative interest. The sheath  14  includes a hollow inserting portion  12  at its distal end  13  and a proximal main body  16 . The distal end  13  of the inserting portion  12  has a distal opening  11 . At its proximal end  15  the sheath has a socket base  18  to which are secured a bridge  20 . 
         [0018]    Typically, a light source (not shown) is connected to the bridge or bridge member  20  to illuminate a fiber optic which extends from the sheath into the urinary organ. 
         [0019]    A lens  30  is either removably mounted or integrally formed with the bridge via a hollow instrument channel  32  to enable the urologist to view the organ into which the working end or insertion portion  12  of the cystoscope is inserted. 
         [0020]    Distilled water or similar fluid is introduced via an inlet which is controlled with a stopcock  34  for cleansing a urinary bladder. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  there is depicted therein a cystoscope having a removable bridge in accordance with the present invention, generally, denoted at  110 . 
         [0022]    The cystoscope hereof includes a sheath  112  having a proximal end  114  and a distal end  116 . The sheath is a hollow tube  115  in which may be provided, at its proximal end, a terminus of a fiber optic  117  or similar means for illuminating an organ within the urinary tract which is under investigation, as detailed below. 
         [0023]    It is to be understood, as with the typical prior art cystoscopes, that various instruments may be inserted through the sheath into the desired portion of the urinary tract to perform the requisite procedure, as explained hereinafter. 
         [0024]    As shown, the bridge  120  comprises a hollow cylindrical element or tube  150  having a first or connecting end  140  which end detachably or removably connects to the sheath and an opposite or free end  145 . The bridge  120  is removably mounted to the proximal end  114  of the sheath  112  by any suitable means, such as a threaded connector  121 . Similarly, the bridge  120 , other than being threadably attached, may be frictionally fitted to the sheath. Preferably, the end  140  is threaded in complementary manner to a threading provided on the proximal end  114  of the sheath. 
         [0025]    The bridge  120  is in registry with and in fluid communication with the sheath. 
         [0026]    The bridge tube  150  is fitted with an irrigation tube or tubular element  130  to which an irrigation fluid source tube or the like (not shown) may be fitted for the introduction of cleansing or irrigation fluids from a source through the sheath and to the organ. The source tube may be fitted with a stopcock or similar device for controlling the amount of irrigation fluid introduced into the tube  130 . 
         [0027]    An observation port  135  is provided at the free end  145  of the bridge. The port  135  removably accommodates a plurality of devices such as an aspirator, diaphragm or the like. 
         [0028]    The bridge  120  further includes an offset lens assembly  122  including an eyepiece  122 ′. The assembly  122  comprises a tubular channel  123 , having first and second ends  124 ,  126 , respectively. The channel  123  is integrally formed with the bridge tube  150  and opens into communication with the tube interior at the first end  124  of the channel. The lens or eyepiece  122 ′ is provided at the opposite or free end  126  of the channel  123 . 
         [0029]    Suitable minors (not shown) are disposed within the channel  123  to enable the eyepiece to observe the interior of the organ under inspection. 
         [0030]    The fiber optic  117 , which is either a flexible or rigid bier and, preferably, a flexible fiber is connected to a light source (not shown). The optic, preferably, is fixed in the channel at a first end thereof and, extends from the lens assembly into the bridge tube, and along the length of the sheath and into the organ to be examined in the well-known manner. 
         [0031]    The lens assembly  122 , as noted, permits the observation of a procedure while it is being conducted. The fiber optic may be disposed in the channel by any suitable means including being fitted directly to the eyepiece which, in turn, is connected directly or indirectly to the light source for rendering the fiber optic operative. 
         [0032]    As noted, optimally, the bridge may include an irrigation fluid inlet  130  through which distilled water or other similar fluid is injected into the urinary tract via the sheath  112 . 
         [0033]    A port (not shown) is provided on the bridge which is used to evacuate any fluid. 
         [0034]    As noted, the instrument or observation port  135  removably mounts any desired device including, inter alia, an aspirator for removing particles, or the like. 
         [0035]    A secondary light source (not shown), if required, may be provided at the distal end  116  of the sheath to illuminate internal tissue for image capture by a camera device which may be disposed therewithin enabling a surgeon-operator to visually operate a suctioning instrument within the field-of-view. 
         [0036]    Similarly, the bridge or the cystoscope utilizing the bridge may be connected to a computer, a monitor, a network or similar electronic means for displaying the procedure as well as storing data generated by the procedure as well.