Medical device introduction and imaging system, and associated method

Abstract

A medical device introduction system is adapted to be at least partially insertable into an interior body region of a patient. The system includes a medical imager including a body member having a handle, an elongate member extending from the handle, an imaging device carried at a distal portion of the elongate member, and an introducer enclosing the elongate member. A manipulator is configured for imparting displacement of the introducer to form an angled end portion to define a line of sight extending from the angled end portion. The manipulator is further configured for altering the line of sight to increase a viewing angle of the imaging device.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A medical device introduction system adapted to be at least partially insertable into an interior body region of a patient, the system comprising:
 a body member having a handle;   an introducer sleeve, the introducer sleeve defining a viewing channel along a length thereof terminating in a viewing lumen, and further defining a fluid passage channel along a length thereof terminating in a fluid passage lumen;   an elongate member extending from the handle and slideably received within the introducer sleeve;   an imaging device carried at a distal portion of the elongate member, the imaging device proximal the viewing lumen when the elongate member is slideably received within the introducer sleeve,   wherein the viewing lumen is sealed at a terminal end of the introducer sleeve and the fluid passage lumen is exposed to allow fluid flow into a patient from the fluid passage channel.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein a light source is provided in communication with the elongate member. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the viewing lumen is sealed at the terminal end with a transparent member extending across and sealing the viewing lumen. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the light source is defined within the handle. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the handle defines a grip portion that extends at an angle relative to the elongate member. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , further including a manipulator sheath that defines an angled end portion for altering a line of sight for the imaging device, the manipulator sheath receiving therein the introducer sleeve and being rotatable by manipulation of a manipulator sheath to thereby displace the angled end portion to increase a viewing angle of the imaging device. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the manipulator sheath is rotatable by an operator of the system in order to alter the line of sight. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein a grip is provided on the manipulator sheath to which the operator rotates. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the introducer sleeve defines a plurality of lumens, each extending longitudinally therein from about a proximal portion to about a distal portion. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the imaging device comprises an active-pixel sensor array or a Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 21 , comprising a power source operably engaged with the body member, wherein the power source is arranged to be in electrical communication with a light source. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the power source is removably secured to the body member via a magnetic connector arrangement. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 21 , comprising a communication element operably engaged with the body member, the communication element being in signal communication with the imaging device so as to receive an image signal therefrom associated with the image captured thereby or to communicate electrical power to the imaging device. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , comprising a display device for displaying a received image or a computer device for storing or analyzing the image, the display device or the computer device being in communication with the communication element via a wired communication arrangement or a wireless communication arrangement. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein distal ends of the introducer and the elongate member are configured to flex during longitudinal movement of the introducer sleeve within the manipulator sheath to conform to a shape of the manipulator sheath. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the fluid passage lumen comprises at least one of an inflow lumen and an outflow lumen is defined within the introducer sleeve, the inflow lumen receiving inflows of liquid for disposition at the interior body region and the outflow lumen receiving outflows of liquid from the interior body region. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the introducer sleeve further defines a lumen for receiving light from a light source. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the introducer sleeve further defines a lumen for allowing ingress and egress of a medical tool. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein, upon use of the system, the introducer sleeve is discarded, and, during a subsequent use of the system, another introducer sleeve is engaged with the elongate member to enclose the elongate member. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the introducer sleeve defines at least two lumens, wherein the first lumen encloses the elongate member and the second lumen provides one of a working channel or fluid flow channel, wherein the first and second lumens are separated. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 21 , further including a cap at the terminal end of the introducer sleeve, the cap carrying a seal for sealing the viewing lumen and defining a pass-through for the fluid passage channel. 
     
     
         42 . A medical device introduction system adapted to be at least partially insertable into an interior body region of a patient, the system comprising:
 a body member having a handle;   an introducer sleeve that is configured for selective engagement and disengagement about the body member, wherein the introducer sleeve defines:
 a viewing channel along a length thereof terminating in a viewing lumen, 
 an inflow fluid passage channel along a length thereof terminating in an inflow fluid passage lumen, wherein the inflow fluid passage channel is configured for communication with a fluid supply source; 
 an outflow fluid passage channel along a length thereof terminating in an outflow fluid passage lumen, wherein the outflow fluid passage channel is configured for communication with a fluid storage source; 
 a seal defined about a terminal end of the introducer sleeve proximal the imaging device and covering the viewing lumen, wherein the inflow passage lumen and the outflow passage lumen are exposed to allow inflow and outflow of fluids relative to the interior body region of the patient, 
   an elongate member extending from the handle and slideably received within the viewing channel of the introducer sleeve;   an imaging device carried at a distal portion of the elongate member, the imaging device being proximal the viewing lumen when the elongate member is slideably received within the viewing lumen of the introducer sleeve.   
     
     
         43 . A medical device introduction system adapted to be at least partially insertable into an interior body region of a patient, the system comprising:
 a medical imager including a body member having a handle;   an elongate member extending from the handle;   an imaging device carried at a distal portion of the elongate member;   an introducer defining at least two lumens, wherein the first lumen encloses the elongate member and the second introducer provides one of a working channel or fluid flow channel, wherein the first and second lumens are separated and wherein the first lumen is sealed at an end thereof to prevent contamination.