Add-On For Invasive Probe

Abstract

An invasive probe assembly including an invasive probe having a surface area and a tool carrier removably mounted on the invasive probe, including a substrate having an area smaller than 25% of the surface area of the probe and at least one tool mounted on the substrate. The layout of the substrate or of one or more of the at least one tool is optionally substantially different in different sectors of the circumference of the probe.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit under 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application 60 / 632,739, titled “Add on Electrode for Endoscope”, filed Dec. 1, 2004, U.S. provisional patent application 60 / 653,135, titled “Endoscopic Sheath with Illumination System”, filed Feb. 16, 2005, and U.S. provisional patent application 60 / 669,007, filed Apr. 7, 2005, titled “Emergency Electrode on Medical Tube”. The disclosures of all of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to apparatus for minimally invasive procedures and particularly to electrodes to be used in such procedures.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Endoscopes and other invasive probes are used to view internal tissue of humans, and for many other tasks.[0004]U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,502 to Colley et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a catheter having an ultrasound transducer and an ECG electrode ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a compact electrode carrier for mounting on an endoscope or other elongate invasive probe, such as a trans-esophageal ultrasound probe, without covering the distal end of the probe. The electrode carrier occupies a small portion of the axial extent of the endoscope or probe. Optionally, the electrode carrier occupies less than 25% or even less than 15% of the surface area of the portion of the probe suitable for insertion into the patient. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the electrode carrier has an area of less than 1500 square millimeters or even less than 800 square millimeters. In some cases, using a compact electrode carrier is simpler and cheaper than using a large electrode carrier sheath or sheet which covers most (or a large portion) of the endoscope. Optionally, the electrode carrier comprises a substrate (e.g., an isolating material) with one or more electrodes mounted thereon.

[0017]The electrode is optionally very thin (flat), so as not to substantially affect the cross-section area of the probe. Optionally, the attachment of the electrode increases the cross-section diameter of the probe by less than 2 millimeters, or even less than one millimeter. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the electrode increases the cross-section diameter of the probe by less than half a millimeter.

[0024]In some embodiments of the invention, the electrode carrier includes a substrate which surrounds the entire circumference of the probe. Alternatively, the electrode carrier covers only a portion of the circumference of the probe. In some embodiments of the invention, the electrode carrier includes an adhesive which is used to connect the electrode carrier to the probe or endoscope. Optionally, the electrode carrier is removably attached to the endoscope or probe, so that it is easily removed after completion of a medical procedure in which the one or more electrodes on the electrode carrier are used. The adhesive is optionally a temporary adhesive which allows complete removal of the electrode, without damaging the probe and / or without leaving remnants on the probe.

[0025]In some embodiments of the invention, the electrode carrier includes a protective layer, which separates the probe from the electrode (or electrodes), in order to prevent damage to the probe from the electrical currents and / or heat in the electrode.

[0027]An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a compact electrode carrier with an adhesive substrate for mounting on an endoscope or other elongate invasive probe. Using an adhesive for attachment of the electrode carrier to the probe, instead of mechanical attachment makes the attachment of the electrode carrier simpler and usable with a large range of probes.

[0028]An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a single-electrode carrier for mounting on an endoscope or other elongate invasive probe. The use of a single electrode, rather than a plurality of electrodes, may simplify the electrode carrier.

Problems solved by technology

These sheaths are relatively large and may interfere with the insertion of the endoscope into the patient and / or its use therein.

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