Abstract:
A medical device for allowing a physician to unhand a scope or other instruments while maintaining control of the scope or other instruments during a medical procedure. The medical device includes at least one docks and a harness for attaching the dock to the physician&#39;s body. The harness can be adjustable, or sized to fit a specific physician. During a procedure, a physician outfitted with the medical device can place a scope and/or other instrument in the dock(s). Once the scope and/or other instrument is placed in the dock(s), the physicians hands are free to perform other procedures, while the physician continually controls the relative position of the scope with respect to the physician or the patient.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/571,148 filed May 14, 2004 entitled “Scope Dock.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates to a medical device for docking an endoscope. 
     2. Background Information 
     Modern, non-invasive surgical procedures often require the use of an endoscope. Endoscopes are thin, tube-like devices used to visualize human anatomies such as the gastrointestinal tract. During endoscopic procedures, a physician manually grips a proximal end of the endoscope. Additionally, in the course of most endoscopic procedures, physicians manipulate and maneuver the endoscope in a variety of ways to rotate, adjust, or torque the endoscope. 
     At some stage in an endoscopic procedure, a physician may need to release the endoscope, for example, to perform an ancillary procedure or write notes. To do this, the physician carefully hands the endoscope to a nurse or places the scope in a stationary docking station. Docking stations are stands for receiving and holding an endoscope. Docking stations are typically affixed to a stationary point, such as a ceiling, wall, or floor. Other docking stations can be part of or affixed to a chair, a bed, or a table. 
     Both handing the endoscope to a nurse and docking the endoscope in a traditional docking station present significant drawbacks. First, whether the physician hands the endoscope to a nurse or docks it in a traditional docking station, the physician is disconnected from the patient during the procedure—even though the endoscope is still engaged in the patient&#39;s body. That is, the physician loses direct control of the endoscope. Second, presently available docking stations have very limited functionality. As a result, conventional docking stations are only suited for stationary hanging or gripping an endoscope that is not in use. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a medical device having features that resolve or improve upon one or more of the above-described drawbacks. 
     The invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims. 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a scope dock including a harness and a main body. The harness allows the scope dock to be attached to an operator, and the main body may include a scope holder which receives a scope. The harness may be a shoulder harness, midsection harness, or any other type of harness. The scope holder may hold the scope directly or through the use of other devices situated on the scope or the scope holder. 
     This invention also provides a method for using a scope dock. The method comprises a step of attaching a scope dock to an operator and a step of docking a scope in the scope dock. A catheter may be inserted into the scope as another step or another medical procedure may be performed. 
     Other embodiments are disclosed, and each can be used alone or in combination with another. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a scope dock having a hub. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a scope in a retracted position. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of an endoscope situated in a scope dock. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a flow-chart of exemplary steps for using a scope dock. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a scope dock having an integral device hub. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of a user wearing a scope dock configured with a chest support and a waist support. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of a user wearing a scope dock configured with a chest support. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of a user wearing a scope dock configured with a neck support. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is described with reference to the drawings in which like elements are referred to by like numerals. The relationship and functioning of the various elements of this invention are better understood by the following detailed description. However, the embodiments of this invention as described below are by way of example only, and the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It should also be understood that the drawings are not to scale and in certain instances details have been omitted, which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, such as conventional details of fabrication and assembly. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , that figure discloses a scope dock  100  and a hub  102 . The scope dock  100  includes a harness  103  comprising a belt  104 , a waist adjustment  108  to adjust the length of the belt, and a belt buckle  110  to allow the belt to be buckled and unbuckled in order to put on and take off the scope dock  100 . The belt  104  is connected to a main body  106 . The main body broadens into a central portion  112  which includes a scope holder  114  and a scope pivot  116 . The scope pivot  116  is allowed to pivot by the scope holder  114 . The scope holder  114  may optionally maintain the scope pivot  116  at various pivot positions from the vertical, such as at 0°, 15°, and 30° from the vertical. The central portion also includes a release button  118  which releases the scope holder from an inactive position, where it is flush with the central portion, to an active position, where it is approximately perpendicular to the central portion. When the scope holder is in the active position, it may be locked into place, such that the scope holder may not be unlocked or moved until the release button is again pressed. 
     A scope bearing sleeve  120  slides onto a scope  122 , such as an endoscope. The scope bearing sleeve is optionally in a friction fit relationship with the scope, which may hold the two together in such a way that they do not move. At the same time, the scope bearing sleeve and the scope pivot are arranged such that the scope bearing sleeve is able to rotate coaxially within the scope pivot. The exemplary scope pivot shown here includes a chamfered out portion that allows the scope bearing sleeve to sit in the scope pivot. Additionally, at least one optional device hub  124  may be clipped onto the scope bearing sleeve, and the device hub may have a device clip  126  on its end. The device clip  126  may clip onto a variety of medical devices, such as catheters or other devices used with the scope. 
     Furthermore, the main body in this exemplary embodiment may comprise a semi-rigid over-molding, which is rubberized. Such a material may allow the main body to comfortably flow around the mid-section of the doctor while he is wearing the scope dock. Though a semi-rigid material is shown here, any variety of flexible or rigid or semi-rigid materials may be used to manufacture the main body of the scope dock. 
     Additionally, the belt  104  may be made of nylon braid or any suitable material, such as rubber, leather, plastic, natural or synthetic threads, or any other material that may be used to make a belt. The waist adjustment may be a single clip—or any other suitable clip or device—that allows the belt to be lengthened or shortened depending on the size of the mid-section of a doctor and the desired level of tightness about the doctor. Though the exemplary waist adjustment shown in  FIG. 1  is separate of the belt buckle, it may also be integral with the belt buckle. The belt buckle shown in  FIG. 1  is a parachute type belt buckle having two finger grips that may be pressed together to unbuckle the belt. Even though a parachute type belt buckle is shown here, any type of clip arrangement, belt buckle, hook and loop fastener, or other suitable device may be used to secure the belt. Moreover, though the exemplary scope dock of  FIG. 1  uses a belt as a harness to secure the scope dock, a wide variety of harnesses may be used to secure the scope dock to the doctor, such as shoulder harnesses, neck harnesses, leg harnesses, or other types of harnesses. 
     Next, the scope bearing sleeve may be made of a hardened plastic, but the sleeve may be made of metal, rubber, a harder or softer plastic, or any other suitable material. Alternatively, the scope bearing sleeve may be disposable after one use or reusable for any number of uses. The scope bearing sleeve may also be integral with the scope or included with the scope at the time of scope purchase. Similarly, the device hub is made of a hardened plastic or any suitable material. The device hub may be disposable after one use or reusable for a number of procedures or a period of time. The device hub, as well, may be rotatable about the scope bearing sleeve, and the hub and sleeve may share a frictional or other type of fit. If a frictional fit is used, the fit may be such that the device hub and the scope bearing sleeve are stably maintained by the fit in a particular position relative to one another. At the same time, the frictional fit may optionally allow the hub and sleeve to be moved relative to one another by the application of a certain amount of force, such as a light or medium pressing of the hub by the doctor or nurse. Further, the clip of the device hub may itself be coaxially rotated, depending upon the needs of the doctor. This coaxial rotation is an optional feature of the device hub. The exemplary scope bearing sleeve of  FIG. 1  is—but is not necessarily—cut to fit around the access port of the scope, and this may increases the stability of the fit such that the scope bearing sleeve not rotate in relation to the scope while in use. Optionally, the scope bearing sleeves may be different based upon the brand and type of scope used in order to fit the respective scope. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , that figure discloses a scope dock  200  similar to the one shown in  FIG. 1 . The scope dock  200  has a scope holder  202  in an inactive retracted position. When a scope (not shown) is not needed at a particular time during a procedure or before a procedure, the doctor may remove the scope from the scope holder, and he may retract the scope holder. The scope holder maintains a scope pivot, in a similar way as the scope holder  114  maintains scope pivot  116  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Because of its low profile, the exemplary scope dock  200  need not be removed when not in active use. In fact, the scope dock  200  itself may assist a doctor in bearing the weight of a lead apron (not shown), which the doctor may wear during a medical procedure. As noted earlier, in order to activate the scope holder  202 , a doctor or his assistant may press the release button  204  to allow the scope holder  202  to rotate to a locked position approximately perpendicular to a main body of the scope dock  200 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , that figure discloses a side view of scope dock  300 , which is similar to the scope docks  100 ,  200  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The scope dock  300  includes a harness  301 , comprising a belt  302 , a buckle  303 , and a waist adjustment  304 , connected to a main body  306 . Extending from the main body  306  is a scope holder  308  which maintains a scope pivot  310 . The scope pivot  310  is shown at a 15° rotation from the vertical, and a scope and scope bearing sleeve are seated in the scope pivot. The scope bearing sleeve also has a device hub attached to it. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the scope pivot may be adjusted to a 0°, 15°, or 30° rotation from the vertical. Similar to the example in  FIG. 1 , the scope bearing sleeve may rotate within the scope pivot, and the device hub may rotate about the scope bearing sleeve. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , that figure discloses an exemplary method  400  of performing a medical procedure using a scope dock similar to the ones disclosed in  FIGS. 1-3 . Though the method  400  steps are shown in an order for the sake of the present example, some of them are optional, and many of them may be performed in a different order than that presented in this example. In a procedure that may involve the use of radioactive substances, a doctor may wear a lead apron or other protective clothing over standard hospital clothing. Often, this clothing extends across the region of the body upon which the scope dock will be situated, and so, the protective clothing may be in place prior to performing method  400 . 
     In step  402 , the scope dock is situated on the doctor. The scope dock can be fastened around the doctor&#39;s midsection ( FIGS. 1-3 ), placing a shoulder harness over his head and onto his shoulders, placing a neck harness around his neck, or situating the scope dock in any other way on the doctor. Then, in step  404 , the scope dock is secured to the doctor by buckling a belt buckle, fastening a Velcro hook and loop fastener, or securing the scope dock in any other way. In some instances, the steps  402 ,  404  of situating and securing may be performed as one action or the step  402  of situating may also provide the securing onto the doctor—such as in the case of a shoulder harness that may have adjustment devices but no additional securing devices. 
     Step  406  comprises situating a scope bearing sleeve onto the scope. This particular step  406  is optional, depending on the scope dock in use, and may be performed at a variety of times—before the doctor even arrives in the procedure room, before the procedure has begun, just prior to use of the scope, or any appropriate time. Situating a device hub onto the scope bearing sleeve is step  408 . This step  408  is also optional, and in an alternate embodiment, the device hub may be situated onto the main body of the scope dock or onto the scope itself. This step  408  may also be performed at a any appropriate time before or during a procedure, and any number of device hubs may be situated, depending on the needs of the doctor. 
     The exemplary method  400  shows an optional feature of the scope dock system in step  410 . In this exemplary step  410 , a doctor performs a first procedure with the scope, after the step  402  of situating the scope dock on the doctor and before the step  414  of situating the scope in the scope dock. Though shown in this sequence for the sake of example, these steps may be performed in any order and in a variety of ways. This first procedure may be any kind of procedure, such as inserting the scope into the patient&#39;s mouth or performing a test on the scope itself. 
     Then, the doctor or nurse releases a scope holder on the scope dock to an active position in step  412 . This step  412  of releasing may involve the pressing of a release button—as shown on the exemplary scope docks of FIGS.  1  and  2 —manipulating the scope holder to an active position manually, or some other releasing. The releasing of step  412  is optional, as some scope docks may not have a releasing functionality, or the releasing may be performed at a different time before or during a procedure. Next, in step  414 , the doctor or nurse may situate the scope and scope bearing sleeve into the scope pivot of the scope holder by moving the scope laterally through the open portion of the scope holder and then lowering the scope and scope bearing sleeve into the scope pivot of the scope holder. The optional scope pivot featured in  FIGS. 1-3  may allow coaxial rotation of the scope while situated in the scope dock, and the scope pivot may allow for the scope to be situated at different angles in relation to the scope dock or the vertical plane. As noted above in  FIGS. 1-3 , the various features of the scope pivot are optional, as is the scope pivot itself. In some exemplary scope docks, the scope holder itself may hold the scope without using a scope pivot, and in some exemplary scope docks, the scope may be situated on the scope dock without using a specific scope holder portion. 
     In exemplary step  416 , the doctor performs a second procedure with the scope situated on the scope dock. This second procedure may be any kind of procedure, such as a inserting a catheter or wire guide into an access port of the scope, viewing the inside of the patient on a monitor, performing a cannulation using a catheter, shooting fluoroscopy inside a patient, writing a note on the condition of the patient, or any other procedure. 
     In step  418 , the doctor or nurse removes the scope from the scope dock. In the exemplary scope dock of  FIGS. 1-3 , this may involve removing the scope bearing sleeve from the scope pivot. As noted earlier, this step  418  may be performed at a variety of times and in a variety of ways during a scope procedure. After the scope is removed from the scope dock, the scope holder may be released to the inactive position in step  420 . In the exemplary  FIGS. 1-3 , this may involve pressing the release button to release the scope holder and then manually pressing the scope holder down until it is in an inactive position. Even so, the scope holder may be implemented in a variety of ways, such as being fixed in position; automatically moving from active to inactive position at the press of a button; released by using a lever, switch, or other mechanism; or in some other way. 
     Finally, in step  422 , the scope dock is removed from the doctor. This may involve unbuckling a belt buckle, removing a harness, or other way of releasing the scope dock. The scope dock of exemplary  FIGS. 1-3  may be unbuckled by either the doctor or nurse and set aside for sanitization and the next procedure. Additionally, in step  424 , the scope bearing sleeve may be removed from the scope. After removal, the scope bearing sleeve may be thrown away, if it is a disposable sleeve, or set aside for sanitization and the next procedure, if it is a reusable sleeve. As noted above, some scope docks do not work in conjunction with a scope bearing sleeve, and therefore, in these instances, step  424  and other steps involving the sleeve would be unnecessary. 
     In use, a doctor may buckle the scope dock around himself prior to a procedure. Then, the scope bearing sleeve may be slid onto the scope and brought into a friction fit with it. At the appropriate point in the procedure, the scope bearing sleeve and the scope may be seated in the scope bearing hub of the scope dock. In this way, the doctor is able to have an extra free hand to write notes, to grab on to a catheter, or to perform another desired portion of the medical procedure. During a procedure, the doctor may insert a catheter into the endoscope, and after this, he may wish to dock the handle of the catheter into the device clip of the device hub. In this way, he does not need to support the other end of the catheter or worry about where the other end of the catheter is, as it would be immediately in front of him at a convenient position for hand activation. Additionally, the doctor may rotate the device hub and the device clip in order to position a handle or other end of a catheter in whatever position he desires. While in the device hub, the catheter handle may be manipulated without having to maintain the entire end of the catheter independently. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , that figure discloses an exemplary embodiment of a scope dock  500 . The scope dock  500  includes a harness  501  comprising a belt  502 , a belt buckle  504 , and waist adjustment  506 . The belt  502  is attached to a main body  508  which has a scope receiving hub  510 . A scope bearing sleeve  512  is seated in the scope receiving hub  510 , and a device hub  514  is integral with the scope bearing sleeve  512 . The scope bearing sleeve  512  is friction fit around a scope  516 , preferably prior to commencing a medical procedure involving the scope  516 . In this embodiment, the device hub  514  is rotatable within the scope bearing sleeve  512 , and the device hub  514  has an independently rotatable device clip  518  at its end. The device clip  518  is able to receive a variety of devices and is shown here attached to the wrapping portion of a catheter  520 . The catheter  520  has a handle and multiple ports. The handle may be actuated and the ports accessed while the catheter  520  is situated in the device clip  518 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , that figure discloses an exemplary embodiment of a scope dock  600 . The scope dock  600  includes a harness  602  having midsection straps  604 ,  606 , shoulder straps  608 ,  610 , a shoulder support  612 , and a back plate  614 . The midsection straps  604 ,  606  connect to a main body  616  by clips (not shown), which may be released by pressing clip release buttons  618 ,  620 , respectively. The operator or his assistant may adjust the straps at the shoulder support  612 , belt buckles  616 ,  618 , or back plate  614 . A scope bearing hub  622  receives the scope  624 . The scope  624  and the scope bearing hub  622  may share a friction fit, as well. The scope bearing hub  622  shown here is a removable ball seated in a socket joint. The scope bearing hub  622  has opposing finger rests  624 ,  626  that may be squeezed together to release the scope bearing hub  622  from the socket joint and, thereby, from the main body  616 . This allows simple removal of the scope bearing hub  622  from main body  616 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of scope dock  700 , which is configured as a chest support. Scope dock  700  includes a harness having chest straps  708  and  710  that are integral to a main body  716 . The main body is provided with a docking mechanism as described above regarding the previous embodiments. That is, the main body is outfitted with a scope receiving hub as detailed in any of the above-described embodiments. The scope receiving hub allows a physician to dock or release the endoscope as needed. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the scope dock  700  includes a widened portion  721 . Widened portion  721  is adapted to distribute the weight of the endoscope about the chest of a physician. Widened portion  721  further provides a stable platform for the physician. Of course, scope dock  700  can alternatively be provided with without a widened portion  721 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of scope dock  800 , which is configured as a neck support. Scope dock  800  is similar to the scope dock shown in  FIG. 7 . Scope dock  800 , however, is adapted to be worn about a physician&#39;s neck, rather than the shoulders. For comfort, scope dock  800  can be provided with neck pads  810  and  808 . Neck pads  810  and  808  can be formed from a wide variety of widely available cushion materials, such as high density foam. Scope dock  800  further includes a Y-shaped main body  816  having a scope receiving hub as detailed in any of the previously described embodiments. Main body  816  can be formed of a lightweight, durable material, for example, plastic or carbon fiber. 
     It is to be understood that changes and modifications to the embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and are contemplated. Such changes include varying the configuration of the disclosed harnesses. Alternative harnesses could include strapless harness variations. For example, it will become apparent to one of ordinary skill that a protective garment, a jacket, or a vest could be used as a harness for a scope dock. Indeed, a scope dock could be provided integrally with a protective lead vest. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.