Endoscope for tissue dissection and visualization

Abstract

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an endoscope for facilitating a medical procedure by creating an anatomic space in or adjacent a target bodily tissue to be imaged. The endoscope can comprise a flexible, elongate tubular member defining a central lumen and an expandable dissecting member coupled to a distal end of the tubular member. The tubular member can further include at least one imaging channel extending longitudinally therethrough. The at least one imaging channel can include a visualization system for conveying an image from the distal end of the tubular member to a user. The expandable dissecting member can define a channel in fluid communication with the central lumen of the tubular member. The expandable dissecting member can extend beyond the distal end of the tubular member.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . An endoscope for facilitating a medical procedure by creating an anatomic space in or adjacent a target bodily tissue to be imaged, the endoscope comprising:
 a flexible, elongate tubular member having a distal end and defining a central lumen, the tubular member further including at least one imaging channel extending longitudinally therethrough, the at least one imaging channel including a visualization system for conveying an image from the distal end of the tubular member to a user; and   an expandable dissecting member coupled to the distal end of the tubular member, the expandable dissecting member defining a channel in fluid communication with the central lumen of the tubular member, the expandable dissecting member extending beyond the distal end of the tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The endoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable dissecting member is permanently affixed to the distal end of the tubular member. 
     
     
         3 . The endoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable dissecting member is a compliant balloon. 
     
     
         4 . The endoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the visualization system further comprises:
 an imaging element disposed within a first imaging channel; and   a lighting element disposed within a second imaging channel;   wherein each of the first and second imaging channels is disposed circumferentially about the central lumen of the tubular member.   
     
     
         5 . The endoscope of  claim 4 , wherein each of the first and second imaging channels is embedded within a wall defining the tubular member. 
     
     
         6 . The endoscope of  claim 4 , wherein the imaging element is an optical fiber. 
     
     
         7 . The endoscope of  claim 4 , wherein the lighting element comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of an incandescent light source, a light-emitting diode, and an optical fiber. 
     
     
         8 . The endoscope of  claim 1 , wherein a field of view of the visualization system does not include portions of the expandable dissecting member. 
     
     
         9 . The endoscope of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end portion of the expandable dissecting member forms a concave surface out of which a field of view of the visualization system extends distally. 
     
     
         10 . The endoscope of  claim 9 , wherein the distal end portion of the expandable dissecting member has a toroidal shape. 
     
     
         11 . The endoscope of  claim 9 , wherein the distal end of the elongate tubular member is not flush or concentric with an opening of the channel located at the distal end portion of the expandable dissecting member. 
     
     
         12 . The endoscope of  claim 1 , further including a translation mechanism configured to permit selective translation of a portion of the tubular member through the channel of the expandable dissecting member. 
     
     
         13 . The endoscope of  claim 1 , being a microendoscope. 
     
     
         14 . An endoscope for facilitating a medical procedure by creating an anatomic space in or adjacent a target bodily tissue to be imaged, the endoscope comprising:
 a flexible, elongate tubular member having a distal end, the tubular member further including at least one imaging channel extending longitudinally therethrough, the at least one imaging channel including a visualization system for conveying an image from the distal end of the tubular member to a user; and   an expandable dissecting member coupled to the distal end of the tubular member, the expandable dissecting member completely enveloping, and extending beyond, the distal end of the tubular member.   
     
     
         15 . A method for visualizing a target bodily tissue of a patient during a medical procedure, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a endoscope that includes a flexible, elongate tubular member and an expandable dissecting member coupled to a distal end thereof, the tubular member further including a visualization system for conveying an image from the distal end of the tubular member to a user;   inserting the endoscope, with the expandable dissecting member in a deflated configuration, into the patient;   advancing the distal end of the tubular member towards the target bodily tissue;   inflating the dissecting member to create an anatomic space in or adjacent the target bodily tissue; and   operating the visualization system to convey an image of the target bodily tissue from the distal end of the tubular member to the user.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the inflating step creates a channel through a portion of the expandable dissecting member, the channel being in fluid communication with the central lumen of the elongate tubular member. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a distal end portion of the expandable dissecting member forms a concave surface out of which a field of view of the visualization system extends distally. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the distal end portion of the expandable dissecting member has a toroidal shape. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the distal end of the elongate tubular member is not flush or concentric with an opening of the channel located at the distal end portion of the expandable dissecting member.