Endoscope

Abstract

An endoscope (1110) includes a handle (1120), an elongate body (1114) extending distally from the handle (1120) and defining a longitudinal axis, a light source (1150) disposed within the distal portion (1116) of the elongate body (1114) and configured to illuminate tissue, and a treatment unit (1160) disposed within the distal portion of the elongate body (1114) and configured to treat tissue.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to endoluminal surgical devices, systems, and methods for viewing internal features of a body during minimally invasive surgery, and more particularly, to endoscopes including a treatment unit and methods of using the endoscopes to treat tissue. BACKGROUND

[0002] Endoscopes are introduced through an incision or a natural body orifice to view internal features of a body. Conventional endoscopes are often used for visualization during endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery. During such surgery, tissue is often dissected, ligated, and / or sealed with a blunt or with a sharp instrument. Infection and the like can occur after such surgery, in part, due to the disruption of the tissue.

[0003] To help minimize the impact of such infection and the like, post-operative treatment is often performed. However, post-operative treatment uses additional instruments, requires additional time, and is therefore costly. Thus, it can be beneficial to provide an endoscope that both provides visualization of tissue and provides a treatment function for the tissue. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure relates to an endoscope comprising: a handle; an elongate body extending distally from the handle and defining a longitudinal axis; a light source disposed within a distal portion of the elongate body and configured to illuminate tissue; and a treatment unit disposed within the distal portion of the elongate body and configured to treat tissue.

[0005] In disclosed embodiments, the treatment unit includes a plurality of LED elements. Also disclosed is an endoscope including a controller disposed in electrical communication with the light source and the treatment unit. Also disclosed is an endoscope including an image sensor disposed within the distal portion of the elongate body and configured to capture a plurality of images.

[0006] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the treatment unit generates light energy. Disclosed is a treatment unit configured to focus the light energy on a tissue region that is smaller than a tissue region illuminated by the light source. Also disclosed is a treatment unit including a light emitting element and a lens. In embodiments, the lens includes a proximal surface and a distal surface. The proximal surface is disposed at a first angle relative to a first axis and the distal surface is disposed at a second angle relative to a second axis. The first angle is between about 5° and about 15°, the second angle is between about 5° and about 15°, and the first axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0007] In disclosed embodiments, the treatment unit is configured to emit light having a wavelength range of about 500 nm to about 650 nm. In embodiments, the treatment unit includes one red light, one blue light, and one green light.

[0008] The present disclosure also relates to a method of treating tissue, comprising: positioning an endoscope adjacent to the tissue; illuminating the tissue using a light source of the endoscope; and treating the tissue using a treatment unit of the endoscope.

[0009] In disclosed embodiments of the method, illuminating the tissue using the light source comprises illuminating a first tissue region. Additionally, treating the tissue using the treatment unit comprises focusing light energy on a second tissue region. The second tissue region is smaller than the first tissue region.

[0010] In further disclosed embodiments of the method, treating the tissue using the treatment unit comprises emitting light from the treatment unit having a wavelength range of about 500 nm to about 600 nm to, for example, coagulate blood within the tissue; emitting light from the treatment unit having a wavelength of about 570 nm to induce fresh blood cells in the tissue to, for example, produce fluorescence; or emitting light from the treatment unit having a wavelength of about 650 nm to, for example, kill gangrene cells within the tissue.

[0011] Other details and aspects of various embodiments of the present disclosure are described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an endoscope system of the prior art;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the endoscope system of FIG. 1 ;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an optical system of the endoscope system of FIG. 1 ;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view showing a schematic configuration of another endoscope system of the prior art;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective partial cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a distal end of an endoscope of the endoscope system of FIG. 4;

[0018] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 7 is a schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a distal end portion of the endoscope of Figure 8

[0022] is a perspective view of a distal end portion of the endoscope ofFigure 10 is Figure 8 and Figure 9 a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of the endoscope of

[0023] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the distal end portion of the endoscope of Figure 10 taken along line 11-11 of Figures 8-10

[0024] Figure 12 is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a treatment unit of the endoscope of Figures 8-11

[0025] Figure 12A is a schematic view showing a stack of two spherical lenses for use with the treatment unit of the endoscope of Figures 8-12

[0026] Figure 13 is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of the endoscope according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0027] Figure 14 and 15 are graphs showing the relationship between absorption and light wavelengths. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Embodiments of the endoscope and treatment methods of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals designate the same or corresponding elements throughout several views. As used herein, the term "distal" refers to that portion of a structure that is further from a user, while the term "proximal" refers to that portion of a structure that is closer to the user. The term "clinician" refers to a physician, nurse, or any other medical caregiver and can include ancillary personnel. The term "about" is to be understood as an approximate term that allows for a relatively small or no variation in the term being modified (e.g., less than 2% variation).

[0029] ​​​Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, a prior art endoscope system 1 includes an endoscope 10, a light source 20, a video system 30, and a display device 40. The light source 20, such as an LED / xenon light source, is connected to the endoscope 10 via a fiber guide 22 that is operably coupled to the light source 20 and connected to an in-coupler 16 disposed on or adjacent to a handle 18 of the endoscope 10. The fiber guide 22 includes, for example, a fiber optic cable that extends through an elongated body 12 of the endoscope 10 and terminates at a distal end 14 of the endoscope 10. Accordingly, light is transmitted from the light source 20 through the fiber guide 22 and emitted from the distal end 14 of the endoscope 10 toward a target internal feature, such as tissue or an organ, of a patient’s body. Because the light transmission path in this configuration is relatively long, for example, the length of the fiber guide 22 can be about 1.0 m to about 1.5 m, only about 15% (or less) of the light flux emitted from the light source 20 is output from the distal end 14 of the endoscope 10.

[0030] The video system 30 is operably connected to an image sensor 32 that is mounted to or disposed within the handle 18 of the endoscope 10 via a data cable 34. An objective lens 36 is disposed at the distal end 14 of the elongated body 12 of the endoscope 10, and a series of spaced-apart relay lenses 38, such as rod lenses, are positioned along the length of the elongated body 12 between the objective lens 36 and the image sensor 32. Images captured by the objective lens 36 are relayed through the elongated body 12 of the endoscope 10 via the relay lenses 38 to the image sensor 32, which then transmits the images via a cable 39 to the video system 30 for processing and output to the display device 40.

[0031] The image sensor 32 is located within or mounted to the handle 18 of the endoscope 10, which can be up to about 30 cm from the distal end 14 of the endoscope 10. Because of this relatively long distance, there is a loss of image information in the image retrieval path because it is difficult to obtain a high-quality image at every point along the entire working distance of the relay lenses 38. Moreover, because of the light loss on the relay lenses 38, the objective lens 36 cannot include a small aperture. As a result, the depth of field is limited, and a focusing module (not shown) is typically used in the in-coupler 16 to set the objective lens 36 to the desired focal point, which the clinician adjusts as the clinician moves the endoscope 10 during a surgical procedure. Also, rotation of the fiber guide 22 will also rotate the relay lenses 38, which changes the angle of view during use, and the fiber guide 22 also tends to drop due to gravity. Thus, the clinician needs to adjust and / or maintain the fiber guide 22 during use to keep the angle of view stable, which is inconvenient during operation.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, another prior art endoscope system 1’ is substantially similar to endoscope system 1, so only the differences therebetween will be described, which includes an image sensor 32 in the distal end portion 13 of the elongated body 12 of the endoscope 10’ such that the image retrieval path between the objective lens 36 and the image sensor 32 is shorter than that of the endoscope system 1. The endoscope system 1’ employs the same light transmission path as the endoscope system 1 (e.g., from the light source 20 and through the fiber guide 22), so the light consumption in transmission is still great. However, the fiber guide 22 can be integrated with the data cable 34, thereby making the endoscope 10’ easier to operate because the clinician does not need to adjust the fiber guide 22 during use.

[0033] Referring now to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the endoscope system 100 of the present disclosure includes an endoscope 110, a display 120, and a cable 130 connecting the endoscope 110 and the display 120. A camera 140, a light source 150, and an integrated processor 160 are contained within the endoscope 110.

[0034] The endoscope 110 includes a handle 112 and an elongated body 114 having a cylindrical wall 114a extending distally from the handle 112 and defining a longitudinal axis “x”. The elongated body 114 includes a distal end portion 116 terminating at a distal end or tip 118. The handle 112 includes a handle housing 112a including a gripping portion 113 for manipulation by a clinician and a control portion 115 including actuation elements 115a (e.g., buttons, switches, etc.) for functional control of the endoscope 110.

[0035] Referring to Figure 6 and 7 , the camera 140 is disposed within the elongated body 114 of the endoscope 110. The camera 140 includes an image sensor 142 disposed within the distal end portion 116 of the elongated body 114 at a proximal location of a lens 144 positioned at the distal end 118 of the elongated body 114. The image sensor 142 can be a charge-coupled device (CCD), a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), or a hybrid thereof. In an embodiment, the image sensor 142 is a high-sensitivity backside-illuminated sensor (BSI). In an embodiment, the light flux required by the image sensor 142 can be as high as about 20 lm.

[0036] Because the image retrieval path is shortened compared to traditional endoscope systems (e.g., FIG. 1) and the need for a relay lens is eliminated, the depth of field can be expanded and optimized. Accordingly, the lens 144 can include a depth of field of about 20 mm to about 110 mm with an optimal image quality and a field of view of about 100 degrees. In embodiments, the lens 144 is a freeform lens. In contrast to traditional endoscopes, freeform lenses rely on the depth of field to produce a sharp image and, thus, eliminate the need to determine the correct focus distance and set the lens to that focal point. Accordingly, the aperture of the lens 144 can be relatively small, taking up less space at the distal end 118 of the elongated body 114. In embodiments, the outer diameter of the lens 144 is at most about 6 mm.

[0037] A light source 150 is disposed at the distal end 118 of the endoscope 110. The light source 150 includes one or more high-efficiency light emitting elements 152, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), arranged in an annular ring around the lens 144 to ensure sufficient and uniform light distribution. In embodiments, the light emitting elements 152 have a luminous efficiency of up to about 80 lm / W (lumens per Watt). In contrast to traditional endoscopes, the light source of the present disclosure reduces or eliminates the need to use an external light source and fiber optic guide, which can reduce the cost of the endoscope system, simplify the endoscope system structure, and reduce light consumption and / or light distortion during light transmission. While the light emitting elements 152 can be efficient and produce less heat than other types of light, the light emitting elements 152 still produce some heat, which can, for example, reduce the quality of the image.

[0038] Various endoscopes and methods of managing, reducing, and / or dissipating heat output from a light source are disclosed. Other endoscopes including passive heat control systems are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0007833, filed June 3, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0039] With particular reference to Figures 8-15 , an embodiment of an endoscope is shown and generally designated by the character 1110. The endoscope 1110 is a laparoscopic visualization system that includes a treatment unit for treating tissue.

[0040] The endoscope 1110 is shown in Figures 8-13 and includes a handle 1120 and an elongated portion 1114 extending distally from the handle 1120. A distal portion 1116 of the elongated portion 1114 includes an image sensor 1142, a lens 1144, a lens barrel 1146, a protective window 1147, a light source (e.g., LED light emitting elements) 1150, a treatment unit 1160 (e.g., LED light emitting elements or other light source), a sensor substrate 1180, and a light source substrate 1190. The distal portion 1116 of the elongated portion 1114 terminates at a distal end 1118.

[0041] exist Figure 10 In the illustrated embodiment, the light source 1150 includes two LED light-emitting elements 1150a and 1150b, and the treatment unit 1160 includes two LED light-emitting elements 1160a and 1160b. Figure 13 In the illustrated embodiment, the light source 1150 includes three LED light-emitting elements 1150a, 1150b, and 1150c, and the treatment unit 1160 includes three LED light-emitting elements 1160a, 1160b, and 1160c. It is also contemplated, and within the scope of this disclosure, for use in conjunction with the endoscope 1110 with more or fewer LED light-emitting elements of the light source 1150 and the treatment unit 1160. Additionally, the LED light-emitting elements of the light source 1150 and the treatment unit 1160 can be any combination of, for example, white, red, green, and blue light-emitting elements. For example, it is envisioned that one LED light-emitting element 1160a is red, one LED light-emitting element 1160b is green, and another LED light-emitting element 1160c is blue to provide various types of treatment. Further details regarding the LED light-emitting elements of the treatment unit 1160 are discussed below.

[0042] Special Reference Figure 10 , 11 In lens 1144, LED light-emitting elements 1150a-1150c of light source 1150 and LED light-emitting elements 1160a-1160c of treatment unit 1160 are located radially outward in an alternating pattern and are engaged (e.g., attached to) a light source substrate 1190 disposed at the distal end of lens 1144. Sensor substrate 1180 is located at the proximal end of lens 1144, and lens barrel 1146 extends distally from image sensor 1142 and sensor substrate 1180. Lens 1144 is disposed within lens barrel 1146. Image sensor 1142 is engaged with or connected to (e.g., attached to) sensor substrate 1180.

[0043] In an embodiment, the processor 1155 is engaged or connected to the light source 1150 and the treatment unit 1160, and is in electrical communication with the controller 1170 disposed within the handle 1120.

[0044] In embodiments where the endoscope 1110 includes a controller 1170, the controller 1170 is electrically connected, for example, via a cable to a sensor substrate 1180 and a light source substrate 1190. A bonding between the sensor substrate 1180 and the image sensor 1142 results in an electrical connection between the controller 1170 and the image sensor 1142, and a bonding between the light source substrate 1190 and the light source 1150 and the treatment unit 1160 results in an electrical connection between the controller 1170, the light source 1150, and the treatment unit 1160.

[0045] With particular reference to Figure 12 , various components of the treatment unit 1160 are shown as it relates to one of the plurality of LED light emitting elements. The treatment unit 1160 includes an LED light emitting element (e.g., 1160a) interfaced with a light source substrate 1190, a lens barrel 1162 extending distally from the light source substrate 1190, and a lens 1164 disposed within the lens barrel 1162. As shown, the lens 1164 is configured to focus light emitted from the LED light emitting element 1160a onto a point along an optical axis "O". The optical axis is along or parallel to the longitudinal axis "x". Thus, all of the light energy from each LED light emitting element 1160a, 1160b, 1160c can, for example, focus light on a small tissue area.

[0046] In particular, to help focus light to a particular point, a first or proximal surface 1164a of the lens 1164 is disposed at a first angle al with respect to a first axis "A" that is perpendicular to the optical axis "O", and a second or distal surface 1164b of the lens 1164 is disposed at a second angle a2 with respect to the first axis "A". In the disclosed embodiment, each of the first angle al and the second angle a2 is between about 5° and about 15° (about equal to about 10°). It is contemplated that the first angle al and the second angle a2 are a function of the distance of the LED light emitting element (e.g., 1160) from the optical axis "O". That is, the first angle al and the second angle a2 are greater as the distance from the optical axis "O" increases. It is also contemplated that the first angle al and the second angle a2 are the same value or different values.

[0047] A disclosed way of determining the shape of the lens 1164 is schematically shown in Figure 12A . This method involves overlapping a first spherical lens 1164' and a second spherical lens 1164". The center of the first spherical lens 1164' is aligned with the center of the LED light emitting element 1160a and collimates light from the LED light emitting element 1160a to propagate in a direction parallel to the optical axis "O". It is contemplated that the LED light emitting element 1160a is located at the focal point of the first spherical lens 1164'. The center of the second spherical lens 1164" is aligned with the optical axis "O" and focuses the collimated light through the first spherical lens 1164' to a point along the optical axis "O". It is contemplated that this point along the optical axis "O" is the focal point of the second spherical lens 1164". Thus, the lens 1164 is formed by overlapping a portion of the first spherical lens 1164' and the second spherical lens 1164" (as shown in Figure 12A .

[0048] Endoscope 1110 is configured to illuminate tissue, aid a clinician in viewing tissue, and / or provide therapeutic treatment to tissue. When in use or turned on, treatment unit 1160 is configured to focus light energy on a small region of tissue (relative to the amount of tissue illuminated by light source 1150). The focused tissue absorbs the light energy from treatment unit 1160 and thus increases in temperature. As the temperature of this tissue increases, some components of the tissue, such as proteins, are broken down, which can have a healing effect.

[0049] Because different parts of tissue have different absorption rates for different wavelengths of light, treatment unit 1160 can be controlled to produce various wavelengths of light for different therapeutic effects. For example, when at least one LED light element 1160a-1160c of treatment unit 1160 emits light having a wavelength range of about 500 nm to about 600 nm, because blood has a large absorption coefficient at this wavelength range, blood within the tissue will coagulate from absorbing the light energy (see Figure 14 and 15 ). Meanwhile, other components of the tissue have a low absorption coefficient at this wavelength range, which results in a slow increase in temperature and thus are not greatly affected.

[0050] As another example, an LED having a center wavelength of about 570 nm (e.g., corresponding to red) is capable of inducing fresh blood cells to produce strong fluorescence in living tissue. In addition, a red LED can be used to provide treatment to relatively deep tissue (e.g., about 1 mm to about 5 mm from the surface of the tissue, about equal to about 3 mm) because light in this wavelength range has, for example, a greater depth of penetration than ultraviolet light.

[0051] As yet another example, an LED having a center wavelength of about 650 nm is capable of killing necrotic cells.

[0052] For example, light energy produced by treatment unit 1160 can also be absorbed by cells and enhance immune characteristics of, for example, white blood cells.

[0053] The present disclosure also relates to methods of treating tissue using endoscope 1110. The methods include illuminating tissue using light source 1150 of endoscope 1110, visualizing tissue using image sensor 1142 of endoscope 1110, and treating tissue using treatment unit 1600 of endoscope 1110.

[0054] It should be understood that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising: handle; An elongated body extending distally from the handle and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated body including a distal portion; A light source, which is disposed within the distal portion of the elongated body and configured to illuminate the tissue; and A treatment unit disposed within the distal portion of the elongated body and configured as a treatment tissue; The treatment unit includes a light-emitting element and a lens, the light-emitting element being configured to emit therapeutic light along a therapeutic optical axis parallel to and offset relative to the longitudinal axis; and The lens is configured to focus the light emitted by the light-emitting element to a point along the longitudinal axis; The shape of the lens is determined by overlapping a portion of a first spherical lens and a second spherical lens; The center of the first spherical lens is aligned with the treatment optical axis, and the first spherical lens is configured to collimate the treatment light along the treatment optical axis; and The center of the second spherical lens is aligned with the longitudinal axis, and the second spherical lens is configured to focus collimated light onto the point along the longitudinal axis.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the treatment unit comprises a plurality of LED light-emitting elements.

3. The endoscope according to claim 1 or 2 further comprises a controller configured to electrically communicate with the light source and the treatment unit.

4. The endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an image sensor disposed within the distal portion of the elongated body and configured to capture a plurality of images.

5. The endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the treatment unit generates light energy.

6. The endoscope of claim 5, wherein the treatment unit is configured to focus the light energy onto a tissue region smaller than the tissue region illuminated by the light source.

7. The endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the treatment unit is configured to emit light in the wavelength range of 500 nm to 650 nm.

8. The endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the treatment unit comprises a red light emitting element, a blue light emitting element and a green light emitting element.

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