Stearable micro-endoscope and zip catheter

Abstract

A steerable micro-endoscope comprising a cylindrical elongated member having at least a first lumen, a tensioning wire running in the first lumen and attached at the distal end of the elongated member; the elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, having respectively a first durometer and a second durometer lower than the first durometer; the first lumen being arranged such that the distal portion of the elongated body bends when the tensioning wire is pulled; wherein the elongated member comprises a second lumen; an electrode wire being arranged in the second lumen such that the distal end of the electrode wire does not protrude from the distal portion of the elongated member when the elongated member is not bent, and such that the distal end of the electrode wire protrudes from the distal portion of the elongated member when the elongated member is bent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A catheter comprising an elongated member of cylindrical shape comprising first and second lumens extending each between a distal end and a proximal portion of the elongated member;
 wherein the elongated member comprises a longitudinal wave-shaped opening along the whole length of the second lumen, at least between the distal end of the elongated member and a proximal portion of the elongated member.   
     
     
         30 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the elongated member has a circular cross section. 
     
     
         31 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the elongated member has a non-circular cross section. 
     
     
         32 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the second lumen has a cross section that is larger than the cross section of the first lumen. 
     
     
         33 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the longitudinal wave opening along the whole length of the second lumen follows a periodic pattern. 
     
     
         34 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the longitudinal wave opening follows a sinusoidal pattern along the whole length of the second lumen, at least between the distal end of the elongated member and a proximal portion of the elongated member. 
     
     
         35 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the elongated member comprised first and second longitudinal portions:
 the first longitudinal portion forming the elongated member around a part of the second lumen on both sides of the longitudinal opening, and being made of a first material having a first durometer; and   the second longitudinal portion forming the elongated member around the first lumen and the remainder of the second lumen, and being made of a second material having a second durometer lower than the first durometer.   
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A method of manufacturing a catheter according to  claim 35 , comprising extruding concurrently the first and second longitudinal portions of the catheter. 
     
     
         38 . The catheter of  claim 35 , wherein the first and second materials are a single material; the second durometer being obtained by mechanically treating the material to lower its durometer, including by forming cuts or holes in the material. 
     
     
         39 . The catheter of  claim 35 , wherein the first and second materials are a single material; the second durometer being obtained by chemically treating the material to lower or increase the durometer where appropriate. 
     
     
         40 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the longitudinal opening is such that both sides of the longitudinal opening are in contact when the second lumen is empty. 
     
     
         41 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the longitudinal opening is such that both sides of the longitudinal opening are distant by a distance smaller than the width of the second lumen when the second lumen is empty. 
     
     
         42 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the longitudinal opening ends in the proximal portion of the elongated member with a longitudinal gap opening as wide as the second lumen. 
     
     
         43 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the elongated member comprises a plurality of first lumens. 
     
     
         44 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the first lumen is provided for transferring a fluid from the proximal portion of the elongated member to the distal portion of the elongated member, or reciprocally. 
     
     
         45 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the first lumen comprises an optical fiber for transferring light from the proximal portion of the elongated member to the distal portion of the elongated member. 
     
     
         46 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the first lumen comprises an optical fiber for transferring light from the distal portion of the elongated member to the proximal portion of the elongated member. 
     
     
         47 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the distal end of the elongated member comprises a camera and the first lumen comprises the camera cable; or wherein the distal end of the elongated member comprises a surgical tool such as an electrosurgery tool or an ultrasound tool or a biopsy tool and the first lumen comprises at least one wire for controlling the surgical tool. 
     
     
         48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A coupler for installing around an elongated guiding structure a resilient tube having a lumen with a longitudinal opening along its length, the coupler comprising:
 a base capable of being attached to a proximal portion of the elongated guiding structure;   a curved branch having a first end capable of being inserted in the lumen of the tube and a second end having a wall tangent to the proximal portion of the elongated guiding structure when said base is attached to said proximal portion of said elongated guiding structure; and   a wedge arranged between the base and the curved branch for separating the edges of the longitudinal opening of the tube when the tube is moved in a first direction from the first end to the second end of the curved branch, such that the elongated guiding structure is comprised between the separated edges of the longitudinal opening of the tube when the tube reaches the second end of the curved branch;   the coupler being arranged such that the portion of the resilient tube that moves away from the second end of the curved branch as the tube keeps being pushed along the first direction closes around the elongated guiding structure.   
     
     
         50 . The coupler of  claim 49 , wherein the base of the coupler comprises a lock for attaching the coupler to the proximal portion of the elongated guiding structure.