Abstract:
Light is introduced into the body through an endoscope illumination system, which is capable of passing both UV and visible radiation through an illumination pathway. An image can then be viewed in real time, by eye or with an electronic imaging camera and displayed on a video monitor used by the surgeon. Dyes which are activated by the UV radiation generate images that can be viewed by the endoscope in the visible spectrum and recorded by eye, electronic camera or other recording devices that can process visual images.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to surgical devices. In particular, the invention relates to an endoscope having therapeutic interventional capability combined with imaging elements.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The ability to view interior portions of a patient&#39;s body during a surgical medical procedure is invaluable for efficacious surgical intervention. Conventionally, devices for viewing the interior of a patient&#39;s body during a surgical procedure utilize light guides. These conventional light guides allow areas within a patient&#39;s body cavities to be both illuminated and visualized through an eyepiece. These conventional systems utilize continuous (CW) light sources that are coupled to an illumination conduit by a light guide and an optical connector located at or near the top of the illumination device. The designers of light sources for use in conventional systems are typically concerned with only light in the visible wavelengths.  
         [0003]     Imaging dyes are conventionally utilized by injection of the dyes into the blood and/or lymphatic system and in some cases into specific tissues such that the dyes can be imaged by, for example, X-ray or MRI apparatus. The resulting X-ray or MRI images are subsequently captured, for example, by photography or other storage means. However, there is no conventional means for real-time capture and processing of internal images during an endoscopic surgical procedure. In addition, conventional imaging techniques such as X-ray and MRI are not suitable for use in conjunction with endoscopes.  
         [0004]     Typically, imaging dyes are best utilized with ultra violet light sources. However, typical endoscopes do not transmit deep into the ultra violet region of the light spectrum because of, among other things, the use of fused silica as the transmitting medium.  
         [0005]     Current endoscopes cannot readily combine visual imaging and therapeutic intervention because their light source must be continuous; their fiber optic bandwith is limited; and their optics are inefficient, responding only to light between 400-700 nm. The multi-spectral endoscope uses pulsed xenon flashtubes which offer a broad optical spectrum (190-1200 nm) and which generate high-powered micro-second light pulses that convert non-visible light into visual images. These images can become visible with the use of photodynamic diagnostic dyes, IR sensors, or image converters. Multiplexing technology can also direct laser energy for ablation/coagulation by sharing the fiber optic illumination pathway into the body between imaging technology and therapeutic intervention capability. Pulsed xenon&#39;s UV output can directly kill some infectious bacteria in seconds; it can also identify thermal variations in solid tissue temperature. The IR and UV spectrum may be able to delineate solid tissue from blood vessels, as well as allow visualization within blood vessels or through smoke or fluid.  
         [0006]     The multi-spectral endoscope uses optical concepts that replace up to 22 optical elements with a single component to increase the transfer efficiency and resolution of visual, UV and IR images. It can be equipped with different, interchangeable, low-cost, reusable or disposable illuminators which can be optimized for a given surgical procedure.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Briefly stated, the present invention in a preferred form is generally directed toward an endoscopic device utilizing pulse xenon technology to produce wavelengths of light within the UV spectrum in order to provide real-time and/or stored differential imaging of internal tissues, fluid pathways and areas having a UV dye present. The endoscopic device includes a probe having a distal end and a proximal end. A shaft which includes an optical transmissive material is located between the distal and proximal ends. The optical transmissive material provides an optical pathway along the length of the shaft. The optical pathway can selectively be placed in transmissive communication with an image processing and/or capture system.  
         [0008]     Associated with the probe is an illuminator having an illumination pathway capable of being in selective transmissive communication with a light source. The illuminator in some cases may include a barrier element capable of isolating portions of the endoscopic device. The illuminator may also be changeable and/or disposable and may include transmissive fiber optical material to bring specific wavelengths of light into the body of a patient.  
         [0009]     An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved imaging system which employs pulsed xenon illumination and the imaging of tissue, fluid pathways and/or areas containing UV dye within a patient&#39;s body.  
         [0010]     An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope having a reusable, removable, and/or disposable illuminator for transmission of light energy.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a reusable coherent fiber optic imaging bundle in which an image is transmitted from a proximal end of the device to a distal end of the device, wherein the coherent fiber optic bundle may be covered with a flexible cladding.  
         [0012]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical system to selectively illuminate imaging dye, such that the dye may fluoresce or otherwise become detectable by an endoscope and visually displayed.  
         [0013]     A further object of the present invention is to provide barrier elements that operatively isolate portions of the endoscope from contact with the patient and/or the user. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The present invention may be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a simplified partial perspective side view of a multi-spectral imaging flexible endoscope probe in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a simplified perspective view of a disposable sheath with barrier element for use with a multi-spectral imaging endoscope system in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a simplified partial perspective side view of a multi-spectral imaging endoscope having a rigid probe in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a simplified partial perspective side view of a multi-spectral imaging endoscope which includes a disposable sheath and deployed barrier element in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a simplified exploded view of a multi-spectral imaging endoscope with associated imaging system elements in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a simplified end sectional view of an imaging element for use with components of a multi-spectral imaging endoscope as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a simplified side view of disposable plastic illuminator having an non-deployed barrier element for use with a multi-spectral imaging endoscope in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a simplified sectional end view of disposable plastic illuminator for use with components of a multi-spectral imaging endoscope as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a graph of relative irradiance versus wavelength expressed in nanometers of a xenon flashtube.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a simplified perspective view of an endoscope imaging system in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  show a side and a top view of an endoscope having a rigid rod configuration in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several figures, a multi-spectral endoscope in accordance with the invention is designated by the numeral  10 . The multi-spectral endoscope  10 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , can be used for medical bioimaging within, for example, a patient&#39;s abdominal cavity to enhance the visualization of areas of interest. For example, a site of interest located within a patient&#39;s abdominal cavity is illuminated with UV light. The site of interest can also be associated with structure, tissue, or fluid which when illuminated with UV light can be distinguished from the surrounding field of view. In addition, UV dye can be used in conjunction with the UV light illumination. The UV dye can, for example, be locally or systematically injected into the patient in order to image structures of interest. The multi-spectral feature refers to illumination in at least the UV and the visual (VIS) ranges.  
         [0027]     In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the multi-spectral endoscope  10  includes a probe  12 . The probe  12  has a distal end  14  and a proximal end  16 . A shaft  18  is located between the distal end  14  and the proximate end  16 . The shaft  18 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , may have an outer encasement composed of, for example, living metal, plastic, and/or other material well known in the art of optical transmissive material encasement materials. In addition, the sheath may operate to optically isolate portions of the probe  12  from the illuminator  38 . The shaft  18  includes an optical transmissive material  30  which defines at least a portion of an optical pathway  32 . The optical pathway  32  extends substantially between the distal end  14  and proximal end  16  of the shaft  18 . For example, the transmissive material  30  may be bundled fiber optical elements that extend substantially between the distal end  14  and proximal end  16  of the shaft  18 .  
         [0028]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the distal end  14  of the probe  12  is associated with at least one optical lens  20 . The optical lens  20 , for example, collimates the light relative to the optical pathway  32 . The lens  20  may thus operate to advantageously gather and direct light into the optical pathway  32 . The light may be in the visible or non-visible spectrum. For example, light which is produced or reflected from a structure or dye may enter the pathway  32 .  
         [0029]     It should be noted that a fiber optic annulus  28  associated with the pathway  32  provides transmissive conductivity to a remote location such as a camera  26 . The fiber optic annulus, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  may substantially surround a portion of the proximal end  16  of the probe  12 .  
         [0030]     In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the multi-spectral endoscope  10  includes an illuminator  38  having a distal end  39  and a proximal end  37 . The illuminator  38  is preferably configured to receive a portion of the probe  12 . For example, the illuminator  38  has, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a passage  46  for receiving a portion of the probe  12 . The illuminator  38  also includes an illumination pathway  42 . For example, fiber optical elements, such as quartz fiber optics, may form the illumination pathway  42 . In addition, in some cases the user utilizes dyes that operate at or near the visible spectrum in a high energy form of the flashtube  100 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . The flashtube  100  will provide an abundance of UV energy ( FIG. 9 ) to expose/fluoresce the dyes which may allow the use of fused silica instead of other materials such as quartz. However, it should be noted that UV transmissive plastic fiber based optical materials such as Zeanor™, may also be utilized to form the illumination pathway  42 .  
         [0031]     In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the illuminator  38 , at the proximal end  37 , interfaces with an annulus formed by, for example, a circular array of interface fiber optics. The annulus  48  provides a transmissive bridge between the flashtube  100  ( FIG. 10 ) and the illuminator  38  such that light can be directed through the illumination pathway  42  and out into the body.  
         [0032]     In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , a barrier element  44  is positioned proximate the optical engagement end  37  of the illuminator  38 . For example, the barrier element  44  can be configured as a rolled flexible tubular material which can be unrolled over portions of the UV endoscope  10  to insure that, for example, the probe  12  and/or elements of the handle  110  remain in a sterile field. The barrier element  44  thereby, among other things, allows the probe  12  to be used in multiple procedures without the necessity of re-sterilization. The barrier element  44  may be formed from, for example, extruded latex, polyethelene or other flexible extrudable materials.  
         [0033]     In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the illuminator  38  isolates the probe. For example, the illuminator  38  may biologically, chemically, and/or electrically isolate the probe  12  from the exterior environment. A sealing lens  40  preferably covers the probe distal end  14  and the illuminator distal end  39  of the illuminator  38 .  
         [0034]     In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the probe  12  interfaces with, for example, an electronic camera  26 . The interface can be configured to be directly interfaced with the camera  26 . Direct interface can, in some instances, improve the optical transmission through the unit. Direct interface also allows for advantageous camera imaging, but provides for an optional eyepiece  102  ( FIG. 10 ). The eyepiece  102  could be used in emergency situations by allowing the surgeon to make direct visual observations through the eyepiece  102 .  
         [0035]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-spectral endoscope system  10  includes controls that allow the surgeon to electronically increase the brightness of the image or to expand or contract the size of the image electronically. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a brightness increase control  104  and a brightness decrease control  106  is present on the handle  110 . The brightness increase control  104  and brightness decrease control  106  advantageously allow the surgeon to increase or decrease light levels as the endoscope is relationally moved relative to a patient&#39;s body. This control can be advantageously, for example, accomplished without the assistance of an assistant. In addition, a focus control  103  is present between the probe and the handle  110 . The focus control  103  is operatively associated with optical elements  50  ( FIG. 5 ). The focus control  103  allows the operator to acquire the best focus for a given camera or image display. In addition, an image can be magnified by actuation of, for example, a zoom control  114  present on the handle  110 . The zoom control is operatively connected with a digital counter  50  for electronic magnification and/or with the camera  26  for such things as digital magnification.  
         [0036]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the endoscope handle  110  is ergonomically configured such that a user can easily and comfortably access the control features of the endoscope. The ergonomic configuration is such that the device can be held like a knife which, among other things, allows for more precise control and a reduction in the fatigue to the device operator.  
         [0037]     In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the multi-spectral endoscope  10  may be configured with a rigid probe  12   a.  The rigid probe  12   a  includes an illuminator  38   a  can be configured to include angular viewing elements  112 . The angular viewing elements  122  provide the ability to, for example, view at angles other than zero degrees. This capability thereby enables the viewing of points about 360 degrees without the need to move the camera and/or fiber optic cables. In addition, angular viewing elements  122  having different viewing characteristics may be interchangeable such that the user can interchange angles during a procedure without any set up or changes to the system.  
         [0038]     The multi-spectral endoscope utilizes the full optical spectrum of illumination for visual and activated imagery, for laser ablation and coagulation, and for both diagnosis and therapy using rigid or flexible devices. This endoscope is designed to offer today&#39;s standard capabilities with incremental technical expansion as new procedures and features become FDA approved. This technology can be applied to flexible endoscopes, arthroscopes and other, more specialized scopes for otolaryncology, urology and cystoscopy, gynecology, spinal surgery and more.  
         [0039]     While preferred embodiments of the foregoing invention have been set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.