Patent ID: 8206349

Claim:
A method of removing bacterial biofilm from a target site of a human patient, the method comprising: providing a bacterial biofilm removal system including: a biofilm removal endoscope having an insertion portion terminating at a working end, the insertion portion forming an imaging channel terminating at a viewing window disposed at the working end, and an irrigation channel terminating at a nozzle carried at the working end and projecting distally beyond the viewing window, the imaging and irrigation channels -being permanently affixed relative to one another; inserting the insertion portion into the patient; disposing the working end proximate the target site, the target site including a layer of bacterial biofilm adhered to a surface; imaging the target site with the biofilm removal endoscope via the viewing window; and dispensing a flow of fluid directly toward the target site and away from the endoscope with the biofilm removal endoscope via the nozzle to mechanically remove a substantial portion of the layer of bacterial biofilm from the surface.