Medical device inspection system

Abstract

A medical device inspection system may include a base, a medical device holder on the base, a fiber scope holder on the base, a moveable roller moveably attached to the base such that it is free to rotate around an axis and move from a first position to a second position along the base, and a feeder coupled with the base for feeding a flexible portion of the fiber scope into a lumen of the medical device. During use, the flexible portion of the fiber scope may extend from the handle, around the moveable roller, and through the feeder to enter an opening in the lumen of the medical device.

1 - 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . An inspection system for inspecting a lumen of a medical device, the inspection system comprising:
 a fiber scope having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end including a camera configured to capture images of the lumen of the medical device; and   a processor loaded with a learning algorithm trained on training images of medical device lumens with irregularities, the learning algorithm configured to receive data from the camera to identify one or more irregularities in the lumen of the medical device.   
     
     
         53 . The inspection system of  claim 52 , further comprising:
 a medical device holding member for holding the medical device;   a fiber scope holder configured to receive a proximal end of the fiber scope;   a pair of opposed rotatable drums for moving the distal end of the fiber scope relative to the lumen of the medical device; and   a translatable roller configured to both rotate and slide relative to the pair of opposed rotatable drums to take up slack in the fiber scope as the fiber scope is moved through the lumen of the medical instrument.   
     
     
         54 . The inspection system of  claim 52 , wherein the one or more irregularities comprise at least one of contaminants, bacteria, gouges, kinks, cracks, or moisture. 
     
     
         55 . The inspection system of  claim 52 , wherein the processor is further configured to capture an image of the one or more irregularities in the lumen of the medical device. 
     
     
         56 . The inspection system of  claim 52 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine a location of each irregularity of the one or more irregularities in the form of the distance of the irregularity from a distal opening of the lumen. 
     
     
         57 . The inspection system of  claim 52 , wherein the processor is further configured to store identifying information about the type and location of each irregularity in a controller. 
     
     
         58 . The inspection system of  claim 52 , wherein the processor is configured to label the one or more irregularities with an indicator light. 
     
     
         59 . The inspection system of  claim 52 , wherein the processor is further configured to activate an ultraviolet light source in response to an identified irregularity. 
     
     
         60 . The inspection system of  claim 52 , wherein the processor loaded with the learning algorithm is located at a base of the inspection system. 
     
     
         61 . The inspection system of  claim 53 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide drive instructions to the pair of opposed rotatable drums to move the distal end of the fiber scope relative to the lumen of the medical device. 
     
     
         62 . The inspection system of  claim 53 , wherein movement of the distal end of the fiber scope relative to the lumen of the medical device is performed manually. 
     
     
         63 . A method for inspecting a lumen of a medical device, comprising:
 holding the medical device using a medical device holding member;   using a fiber scope having a distal end and a proximal end, where the distal end includes a camera configured to capture images of the lumen of the medical device;   receiving the proximal end of the fiber scope in a fiber scope holder;   moving the distal end of the fiber scope relative to the lumen of the medical device using a pair of opposed rotatable drums;   taking up slack in the fiber scope as the fiber scope is moved through the lumen of the medical instrument using a translatable roller that is configured to both rotate and slide relative to the pair of opposed rotatable drums; and   using a processor loaded with a learning algorithm trained on training images of medical device lumens with irregularities, where the learning algorithm is configured to receive data from the camera to identify one or more irregularities in the lumen of the medical device.   
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the one or more irregularities comprise at least one of contaminants, bacteria, gouges, kinks, cracks, or moisture. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the processor is further configured to capture an image of the one or more irregularities in the lumen of the medical device. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine a location of each irregularity of the one or more irregularities in the form of the distance of the irregularity from a distal opening of the lumen. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the processor is further configured to store identifying information about the type and location of each irregularity in a controller. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the processor is configured to label the one or more irregularities with an indicator light. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the processor is further configured to activate an ultraviolet light source in response to an identified irregularity. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein movement of the distal end of the fiber scope relative to the lumen of the medical device is performed manually. 
     
     
         71 . A medical device inspection system comprising:
 a medical device holding member configured to receive an elongated flexible medical device defining a lumen to be visually inspected;   a flexible borescope having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end including a camera configured to capture images of the lumen of the elongated flexible medical device; and   an apparatus configured enabling relative movement between the flexible borescope and the medical device to progress the camera of the flexible borescope through the lumen of the elongated flexible medical device, the apparatus including,
 a borescope holding member, the borescope holding member configured to receive a proximal end of the flexible borescope; 
 a pair of opposed rotatable drums, the pair of opposed rotatable drums configured to receive a portion of the flexible borescope therebetween; and 
 a translatable roller over which a portion of the flexible borescope is positioned, wherein the translatable roller is moveable relative to the borescope holding member and the pair of opposed rotatable drums to take up slack in the flexible borescope as the flexible borescope passes through the pair of opposed rotatable drums.