Steerable medical device having an imaging system

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure may include a medical device comprising an elongate member and a handle assembly connected to the elongate member. The handle housing may house a steering mechanism movable relative to the handle assembly and configured to steer the elongate member along a first plane and a second plane different from the first plane, a camera system configured to capture images from a distal end of the elongate member, and an illumination system configured to provide illuminating light from the distal end of the elongate member.

1 . A medical device, comprising:
 an elongate member;   a handle assembly connected to the elongate member, the handle assembly housing:
 a steering mechanism movable relative to the handle assembly and configured to steer the elongate member; 
 a camera system configured to capture images from a distal end of the elongate member; and 
 an illumination system configured to provide illuminating light from the distal end of the elongate member; and 
   a connector configured to operably connect the medical device to a control module including one or more processing units for operating the camera system and the illumination system, wherein the connector is configured to directly connect to and disconnect from the handle assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the steering mechanism is configured to steer the elongate member along a first plane and a second plane different from the first plane. 
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the connector extends into the handle assembly and is configured to connect and disconnect the camera system and the illumination system to the control module. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the camera system includes a camera card housed within the housing assembly and configured to communicate imaging data associated with the camera system. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 4 , wherein the camera system includes one or more wires housed within the housing assembly, wherein the one or more wires extend through the elongate member and operably connect to an image sensor at a tip of the elongate member. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 5 , wherein the camera card and the one or more wires are configured to operably connect to the connector. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination system includes one or more illumination units within the housing assembly and extending through the elongate member, wherein the one or more illumination units are configured to operably connect to the connector. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a tool port configured to deliver a tool through the elongate member, and a fluid port configured to deliver fluid through the elongate member, wherein the tool port and the fluid port form a Y-shaped structure extending from the handle assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the connector extends from the handle assembly via a connector hub, wherein the connector hub is positioned on a distal end of the handle assembly and is angled towards the elongate member. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the steering mechanism includes a first cam, a second cam, and a plurality of control members housed within the housing assembly, wherein the plurality of control members are operably coupled to the first and second cams and extend through the elongate member, and wherein the plurality of control members are coupled to a distal portion of the elongate member. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the steering mechanism includes a first actuator operably coupled to the first cam and a second actuator operably coupled to the second cam, wherein actuation of the first actuator steers the distal portion of the elongate member along the first plane, and actuation of the second actuator steers the distal portion of the elongate member along the second plane. 
     
     
         12 . An elongate member for a medical device, the elongate member comprising:
 a proximal portion including a proximal combination of layers of material configured to provide pushability of the elongate member;   a medial portion including a medial combination of layers of material configured to provide passive deflection of the elongate member; and   a distal portion including a distal combination of layers of material configured to provide active deflection of the elongate member, wherein the proximal combination, the medial combination, and the distal combination are different from each other.   
     
     
         13 . The elongate member of  claim 12 , wherein the elongate member houses one or more control members, one or more illumination units, an image sensor, and a working channel. 
     
     
         14 . The elongate member of  claim 12 , wherein the proximal combination includes an inner layer of a coiled material and an outer layer of a polymeric material, the medial combination includes an inner layer of a coiled material having a cut pattern and an outer layer of the polymeric material, and the distal combination includes an inner layer of a plurality of articulation joints and an outer layer of the polymeric material. 
     
     
         15 . The elongate member of  claim 12 , wherein the proximal combination includes an innermost layer of a coiled material, a middle layer of a braided material, and an outer layer of a first polymeric material; the medial combination includes an innermost layer of the coiled material, a middle layer of the braided material, and an outer layer of a second polymeric material less rigid than the first polymeric material; and the distal combination includes an innermost layer of a plurality of articulation joints, a middle layer of the braided material, and an outer layer of the second polymeric material. 
     
     
         16 . The elongate member of  claim 12 , wherein the proximal combination includes an inner layer formed of a tube having a first cut pattern and an outer layer of a polymeric material, the medial combination includes an inner layer formed of a tube having a second cut pattern different than the first laser cut pattern and an outer layer of the polymeric material, and the distal combination includes an inner layer formed of a tube having a third cut pattern different than the first cut pattern and the second cut pattern and an outer layer of the polymeric material. 
     
     
         17 . The elongate member of  claim 13 , wherein the distal combination includes a first layer of a polymeric material molded over the one or more control members, a second layer surrounding the first layer and formed of a coiled material, a third layer surrounding the first and second layers and formed of a first polymeric material, and a fourth layer surrounding the first, second, and third layers and formed of a second polymeric material different than the first polymeric material. 
     
     
         18 . The elongate member of  claim 13 , wherein the elongate member includes a tip having an opening for one or more illumination units, an opening for an image sensor, and an opening for a working channel. 
     
     
         19 . The elongate member of  claim 18 , wherein the opening for the one or more illumination units includes a diffuser. 
     
     
         20 . The elongate member of  claim 18 , wherein the opening for the one or more illumination units curves at least partially around the opening for the image sensor.