Stiff sheath for imaging probe

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11751846-B2
Application number	US-202017247922-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 30, 2020
Priority date	Mar 7, 2019
Publication date	Sep 12, 2023
Grant date	Sep 12, 2023

Abstract

An imaging probe is covered with a stiff sheath, which allows the imaging probe to move while the stiff sheath remains in a substantially fixed location for at least a portion of the surgical procedure while the probe moves within the stiff sheath. The stiff sheath may comprise sufficient stiffness to resist deformation as the imaging probe moves along an internal channel of the sheath. The sheath can be sized and shaped in many ways and may comprise one or more openings to allow fluid to move within the channel in which the probe is located.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An imaging system to image tissue of a patient, comprising:
an imaging probe to be inserted into the patient;
a stiff sheath, the stiff sheath comprising an internal channel sized to receive the imaging probe and a closed distal end, wherein the closed distal end is rounded for advancement into the patient;
a proximal seal to decrease leakage of fluid from an interior of the stiff sheath;
a fluid source coupled to the interior of the stiff sheath;
a one-way valve between the fluid source and the interior of the stiff sheath configured to allow fluid from the fluid source to flow into the interior of the stiff sheath;
an evacuation channel in fluid communication with an interior chamber of the stiff sheath; and
a check valve coupled to the evacuation channel to provide one-way fluid flow through the evacuation channel;
wherein the stiff sheath and the imaging probe are sized and arranged to pump fluid with a reciprocating motion of the imaging probe in the stiff sheath.

2. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the proximal seal is configured to inhibit air from entering the interior of the stiff sheath when the imaging probe has been inserted into the stiff sheath and the imaging probe is drawn proximally away from the closed distal end of the stiff sheath.

3. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the proximal seal is configured to inhibit liquid from exiting the interior of the stiff sheath when the imaging probe has been inserted into the stiff sheath and the imaging probe is advanced distally toward the closed distal end of the stiff sheath.

4. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the internal channel comprises an elongate axis and the imaging probe comprises an elongate axis, and wherein the stiff sheath is configured to resist deformation when the imaging probe is drawn proximally.

5. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the internal channel of the stiff sheath comprises an internal diameter dimensioned to receive the imaging probe, and with a gap of no more than about 1 mm between an external surface of the imaging probe and the internal diameter of the stiff sheath.

6. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the proximal seal comprises a flexible seal coupling the imaging probe to the stiff sheath, the flexible seal creating a fluid tight seal between the imaging probe and the stiff sheath.

7. The imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the flexible seal comprises a bellows.

8. The imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the flexible seal comprises a sliding seal.

9. The imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising the fluid source coupled to the internal channel of the stiff sheath between the proximal seal and the closed distal end of the stiff sheath.

10. The imaging system of claim 9 , wherein the fluid source is located above the internal channel.

11. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the stiff sheath comprises a cylinder and the imaging probe comprise a piston and wherein the cylinder and the piston are arranged to pump fluid with the reciprocating motion of the imaging probe in the stiff sheath.

12. The imaging system of claim 11 , wherein the proximal seal is located on the imaging probe and wherein the proximal seal comprises one or more rings placed on the imaging probe.

13. The imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising a line to remove fluid from the internal channel, the line extending to one or more openings within the internal channel.

14. The imaging system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more openings are located on an upper side of the internal channel to receive air bubbles.

15. The imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising a flexible coupling coupled to the proximal seal.

16. The imaging system of claim 15 , wherein the flexible coupling comprises a first end portion configured to engage the stiff sheath at a first location, and a second end portion to engage the imaging probe at a second location of the flexible coupling.

17. The imaging system of claim 16 , wherein a distance extends between the first location and the second location and wherein the distance decreases when the imaging probe is advanced into the internal channel and the distance increases when the imaging probe is retracted from the internal channel.

18. The imaging system of claim 16 , wherein the flexible coupling comprises an internal volume of fluid and wherein the internal volume increases when the imaging probe is advanced into the stiff sheath and the internal volume decreases when the imaging probe is retracted away from a distal end of the internal channel.

19. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the stiff sheath comprises a cylindrical sleeve and the imaging probe comprises a piston sized and configured to slide within the cylindrical sleeve to pump fluid with the reciprocating motion of the imaging probe within the stiff sheath.

20. The imaging system of claim 19 , wherein the stiff sheath and the imaging probe are configured to draw in sufficient fluid to fill the interior chamber and expel gas from within the interior chamber by reciprocating the imaging probe within the stiff sheath.

Assignees

• Procept Biorobotics Corp

Inventors

• Mantri Surag
• Staid Kevin Patrick

Classifications

• A61B1/00135 Primary

  Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion · CPC title

• A61B8/445 Primary

  Details of catheter construction · CPC title

• A61B1/015

  Control of fluid supply or evacuation · CPC title

• A61B1/012

  characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor · CPC title

• A61B8/12

  in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters · CPC title