Ureteroscope System

Abstract

A ureteroscope system is described that includes a handpiece, a catheter, one or more sensors, and a processor. The handpiece includes a working channel port and a working channel in fluid communication with the working channel port. The catheter is secured to the handpiece and includes a distal end defining a working channel opening in fluid communication with the working channel. The one or more sensors are positioned and configured to detect a position of at least a portion of a laser fiber. The processor is configured to determine whether an emitting end of the laser fiber configured to emit laser light is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Small size endoscopes are desirable in many industrial and medical applications. For example, when the natural openings and lumens of the human body are small, small endoscopes are used to insert through such openings and lumens to a target location within the body. In the case of single incision laparoscopy, especially when the incision itself is of minimal dimensions, smaller endoscopes are preferred to provide an internal view of the surgical site. In some cases, the patient may feel irritation when the endoscope is being inserted into the patient's body, and a smaller endoscope can reduce such an unpleasant experience and minimize trauma to the patient. Furthermore, physicians can improve diagnostic and surgical protocols with smaller endoscopes. For example, transnasal endoscopy may replace oral endoscopy in some cases. Endoscopes may be used with laser fibers in a procedure known as laser lithotripsy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0002] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9,942,452 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003]

[0003] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a ureteroscope system and a method of operating the ureteroscope system. In one embodiment, a ureteroscope system is disclosed. The ureteroscope system includes a handpiece having a distal end region, a proximal end region, an interior region, a working channel port, a first portion of a working channel in fluid communication with the working channel port, and a cable port. The ureteroscope system includes a catheter extending from the distal end region of the handpiece, the catheter including a second portion of a working channel in fluid communication with the working channel port and the first portion of the working channel, the distal end defining a working channel opening in fluid communication with the working channel. The ureteroscope system includes one or more sensors positioned and configured to detect a position of at least a portion of a laser fiber. The ureteroscope system includes a processor in communication with the one or more sensors, the processor configured to determine whether an emission end of the laser fiber configured to emit laser light is outside the working channel and spaced apart from a distal end of the catheter by at least a predetermined distance such that laser light emitted by emission of the laser fiber does not damage the catheter and / or the handpiece.

[0004] In one embodiment, a method of using a laser fiber with a ureteroscope is disclosed. The method includes inserting a ureteroscope catheter into a subject's urethra to a selected location. The method includes feeding or inserting a laser fiber into a working channel port on a handpiece of the ureteroscope through a working channel positioned at least partially within the handpiece and the catheter in fluid communication with the working channel port. The method includes determining, with one or more sensors and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors, whether an emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from a working channel opening at a distal end of the catheter distal to the handpiece. The method includes emitting laser light from the emitting end of the laser fiber when the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the working channel.

[0005] Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with each other without limitation.In addition, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0006] The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure, with the same reference numbers referring to the same or similar elements or features in different figures or embodiments shown in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1A] 1 illustrates a ureteroscope as part of a digital endoscopy system, according to one embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B illustrates an end view of the distal end of the ureteroscope catheter of FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1B is a side view of the handpiece of the ureteroscope of FIG. 1A with a side of the handpiece removed, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1B is a side view of a handpiece of the ureteroscope of FIG. 1A, according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a flow diagram of a method of operating a ureteroscope system, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a controller that can be used in the systems and methods described herein, according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to devices, systems and methods that use endoscopes such as ureteroscopes. Ureteroscopes are sometimes used with a laser fiber during a surgical procedure known as laser lithotripsy, for example, to remove stones from a subject's urinary tract. For example, a ureteroscope may be used with a laser fiber to remove stones from a subject's kidney, ureter, bladder and / or urethra. During a laser lithotripsy procedure, a ureteroscope catheter is inserted into a subject's urinary tract to locate the stone. A laser fiber (e.g., an optical fiber) is inserted through the working channel of the ureteroscope, and laser light is emitted from the laser fiber to fragment or break the stone into pieces. The stone is fragmented by the laser light, and the remaining pieces may be collected in a basket and / or washed out of the urinary tract.

[0009] During use of a laser fiber with a ureteroscope, the laser light may cause damage to the ureteroscope if the laser light is emitted while the emitting end of the laser fiber that emits the laser light is still within the working channel of the ureteroscope. At least one, some, or all of the embodiments of the ureteroscope system described herein may result in a technical effect of preventing or inhibiting laser light from being emitted (e.g., firing) while the emitting end of the laser fiber is still within and / or too close to the working channel of the ureteroscope. Thus, the embodiments of the ureteroscope system described herein may result in a technical effect of preventing damage to the ureteroscope system and / or the laser fiber by ensuring that laser light is emitted from the emitting end of the laser fiber only when the emitting end is outside the working channel and spaced a predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter. In some embodiments, the processor uses data collected from an image sensor at or near the distal end of the catheter to determine whether the emitting end of the laser fiber is located outside the working channel and spaced a predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter. For example, the processor may identify or otherwise measure a color (e.g., blue) of the laser fiber on a display showing an image or video from the image sensor. When the processor determines that sufficient color of the laser fiber is visible on the screen to indicate that the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside of the working channel and spaced a predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter, an alert may be displayed or otherwise signaled, thereby providing the technical effect of an indication that it is safe to emit or project laser light from the emitting end of the laser fiber.

[0010] In some embodiments, the ureteroscope may include a sensor positioned within or near the ureteroscope handpiece to detect the laser fiber passing through the working channel and / or the working channel port. The laser fiber and / or the jacket on the laser fiber may include one or more markers (e.g., dots, lines, or bar codes). The sensor may be positioned to detect the one or more markers, and a processor associated with the sensor may interpret and / or count the markers passing through the working channel and then determine when the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced a predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter.

[0011] FIG. 1A illustrates an endoscopic system 10. In one embodiment, the endoscopic system 10 includes a digital ureteroscope 100 operatively coupled to one or more electronic devices, such as a host machine 170, and one or more external terminals, including a display 190 and a computer 180. The ureteroscope 100 can be operatively coupled to one or more of the host machine 170, the computer 180, or the display 190 wirelessly or through a cable 102. The ureteroscope 100 includes a catheter 104 and a handpiece 110 having a catheter end 114 (e.g., a distal end region) and a control end 112 (e.g., a proximal end region) opposite the catheter end 114. Because the control end 112 is opposite the catheter end 114, the control end 112 and the catheter end 114 can be at different ends of the handpiece 110 and face in different directions relative to each other. In one embodiment, both the catheter 104 and the handpiece 110 are disposable. In some embodiments, the catheter 104 and the handpiece 110 are manufactured as an integral part, or the catheter 104 is fixed to the handpiece 110 via the handpiece-catheter connector 103. Alternatively, only the catheter 104 is disposable and the handpiece 110 can be sterilized and reused multiple times. In this case, the catheter 104 is removably connected to the handpiece 110 and the catheter end 114 via the handpiece-catheter connector 103.

[0012] The catheter 104 of the ureteroscope 100 may be used to image the inner surface of a tubular structure, such as a lumen, in a human or animal body. For example, the catheter 104 may be inserted through a subject's urethra to access various portions of the urinary tract. However, it should be understood that the ureteroscope 100 may be used as an industrial endoscope when the tubular structure is part of an industrial device, equipment, product, machine, manufacturing line, or the like. In some embodiments, the catheter 104 may act as a tether and include multiple scale markings or fiducials that allow a physician to measure the distance the optoelectronic module advances into the tubular structure, such as a body lumen. Other structures may be incorporated into the ureteroscope 100 as desired. For example, the handpiece 110 may include a steering controller 124 configured to control one or more steering wires 158 (FIG. 2) connected to an active bending section of the catheter 104 to deflect the distal end 105 to a desired location. Thus, a user may bend or curve the catheter 102 by moving the steering controller 124 on the handpiece 110.

[0013] The ureteroscope 100 may include an optoelectronic module (e.g., a camera or other imager) for imaging the interior of a subject. For example, referring to FIG. 1B, the optoelectronic module 109 (e.g., an image sensor) and at least one light source 111 may be disposed at the distal end 105 of the catheter 104 or elsewhere in the catheter 104. The optoelectronic module 109 may include a micro-camera module having an image sensor microchip, a set of micro-lenses, and a micro-illumination module. A suitable optoelectronic module is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,399,323, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, the optoelectronic module 109 may be positioned within a rigid or semi-rigid shell-like housing at the distal end 105 configured for insertion into a tubular structure to image the inner surface of the tubular structure. For example, the optoelectronic module 109 may be inserted into the patient's body through a natural body orifice, such as the mouth, nose, urethra, bladder, vagina, or anus. Thus, the ureteroscope 100 may have different configurations for use as a gastrointestinal, colonoscopic, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), or other suitable application. Applications of the ureteroscope 100 include diagnostic observations associated with endometrial polyps, infertility, abnormal bleeding, and pelvic pain, as well as surgical procedures such as embryonic growth arrest and uterine malformations.

[0014] The ureteroscope 100 may include a receiving device or communication interface 150 (FIG. 2), generally located on the outside of the catheter 104, for receiving signals from an image sensor in the optoelectronic module 109. For example, the catheter 104 may include at least one electrical lead 162 (FIG. 2) coupled to the optoelectronic module 109 and transmitting electrical signals from the optoelectronic module 109 to the communication interface 150. The communication interface 150 may be positioned within an interior region 155 (FIG. 2) of the handpiece 110 or adjacent to the handpiece 110.

[0015] The catheter 104 may be configured to couple the optoelectronic module 109 to the circuitry in the handpiece 110 in any suitable manner. For example, the availability of low-cost modular imaging system components allows for the manufacture of disposable components of the ureteroscope 100 at a very low cost. In one embodiment, the catheter 104 is configured to removably couple the optoelectronic module 109 to the circuitry in the handpiece 110. In this manner, the catheter 104 and optoelectronic module 109 are disposable and may be removed from the handpiece 110 after a single patient use, thereby eliminating the need for sterilization or reprocessing and reducing the risk of contamination. The handpiece 110 may be sterilized for subsequent reuse with the catheter 104 and optoelectronic module 109 for a different patient.

[0016] Returning to FIG. 1A, the endoscopic system 10 may include one or more electronic devices for processing and displaying image data received from the optoelectronic module 109 of the ureteroscope 100. For example, the endoscopic system 10 may include one or more of a host machine 170 having a microprocessor, a computer 180 having a microprocessor, and a display 190. Specific components of the host machine 170, the computer 180 and / or the display 190 are provided below with reference to FIG. 5. The host machine 170 may be connected to one or more terminals of the computer 180 and the display 190 for further processing and displaying image data from the optoelectronic module 109. The host machine 170 or the computer 180 may be programmed with image processing software that takes as input image data output from the optoelectronic module 109 of the ureteroscope 100 and generates a two-dimensional or three-dimensional reconstruction of a body lumen that can be displayed on the display 190. Thus, a processor in at least one of the host machine 170, computer 180, or display 190 may be programmed with software to receive as input a plurality of still images of an object generated by the optoelectronic module 109, and then output for display a three-dimensional rendering of the object based on the plurality of still images. The display 190 may include any suitable display and may be configured to display moving images (e.g., movies or videos) or still images collected by the image sensor of the optoelectronic module 109. Although shown as separate blocks in FIG. 1A, the host machine 170, computer 180, and display 190 may comprise a single device, two devices, three devices, or more than three devices.

[0017] The endoscopic system may also include a cable 102 configured to operatively couple the ureteroscope to at least one of a host machine 170, a computer 180, or a display 190. The cable 102 may electrically couple the removal device 150 (FIG. 2) of the ureteroscope 100 to at least one of the host machine 170, the computer 180, or the display 190. The cable 102 may also enable the communication interface 150 to communicate with and receive power from the host machine 170 or other power source. The cable 102 may also be configured to enable the communication interface 150 to transmit image data captured in the optoelectronic module 109 to the host machine 170 for processing, storage, and display.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 2 , which shows a side view of the handpiece 110 with a portion of the handpiece 110, the ureteroscope 100 may include a communication interface 150 or host interface housed within the handpiece 110. The communication interface 150 may contain, for example, one or more of a processor board, a camera board and a frame grabber, or a power supply. The processor board may be coupled to a host machine 170 by a cable 102 for storage and retrieval of images generated by the ureteroscope 100. The communication interface 150 may also be configured to communicate with and receive power from the host machine 170 or other power source via the cable 102. The communication interface 150 may also transmit image data captured at the distal end 105 to the host machine 170 for processing, storage and display. The communication interface 150 may be connected to the cable 102 through one or more wires 154 and / or to the optoelectronic module 109 through one or more electrical leads 162.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the communication interface 150 or handpiece 110 may include an antenna and a wireless chipset, e.g., compliant with the IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi standard, for wirelessly transmitting video or still images generated by the ureteroscope 100 to the host machine 170, computer 180, or display 190 without the cable 102. For example, the communication interface 150 may include a wireless interface configured to implement various protocols, including, but not limited to, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Z-Wave, and the like. This configuration may be useful in a physician's office, as it allows the computer and display to be located outside of the sterile field while allowing the physician greater maneuverability during use of the ureteroscope 100. In other embodiments, the communication interface 150 may be omitted and image data may be transmitted directly to the host machine 170 and / or computer 180.

[0020] The ureteroscope 100 may include one or more controls 122 positioned at or near the control end 112 of the handpiece 110. The one or more controls 122 may include one or more of a switch, a button, a rotatable knob, a movable tab, and the like. The one or more controls may be electrically coupled to the communication interface 150 through one or more wires 156. In some embodiments, the one or more controls 122 are configured to adjust a view presented on the display 190. For example, the one or more controls may be configured to adjust at least one of the brightness, zoom, focus, or contrast of one or more images displayed on the display 190. Thus, the one or more controls 122 allow a user to adjust a view presented on the display 190 and / or the computer 180 as needed during use of the ureteroscope 100 according to the user's preferences.

[0021] The ureteroscope 100 may include one or more wires coupling the one or more controls 122 to the opto-electronic module 109 to allow a user to adjust at least one of the brightness, zoom, focus, or contrast at the opto-electronic module 109. For example, at least one of the one or more controls 122 may be connected to the opto-electronic module 109 through the communications interface 150 and one or more wires 156 connected to at least one of the one or more controls 122 and electrical leads 162 connected to the communications interface 150 and the opto-electronic module 109. In some embodiments, one or more wires or electrical leads may be directly connected to the opto-electronic module 109 and at least one of the one or more controls 122. Coupling the one or more controls 122 to the communications interface 150 may provide the technical effect of allowing a user to activate a laser fiber and / or adjust at least one of the brightness, zoom, focus, or contrast on the display 190 wirelessly or through the cable 102.

[0022] In some embodiments, at least one of the controls 122 is configured to activate (e.g., turn on) or deactivate (e.g., turn off) at least one light source 111 (FIG. 1B) at the distal end 105 of the catheter 104. For example, the light source 111 may include a light emitting diode (LED) positioned at the distal end 105 of the catheter. Alternatively or additionally, the ureteroscope 100 may include an LED light source positioned elsewhere, such as in the handpiece 110, that provides illumination to the at least one light source 111 at the distal end 105 via one or more sets of optical fibers extending through the catheter 104. In some use cases, it is desirable to completely turn off at least one light source 111 of the ureteroscope 100 during backloading of the ureteroscope 100 over the guidewire, rather than simply incrementally adjusting the light. Thus, at least one of the one or more controls allows a user to selectively turn the light source 111 off and on when desired.

[0023] In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more controllers 122 may be configured to activate and deactivate the optoelectronic module 109. At least one of the one or more controllers 122 may also be configured to switch an image mode in at least one of the optoelectronic module 109, the ejection device 150, or the one or more electronic devices between a still image mode in which a still image is recorded and a video image mode in which a video stream is recorded. At least one of the one or more controllers 122 may also be configured to activate a frame grabber mode in at least one of the optoelectronic module 109, the ejection device 150, or the one or more electronic devices to generate a still image from a video stream output generated by the optoelectronic module 109. For example, at least one of the one or more controllers 122 may be configured to communicate with one or more of the host machine 170, the computer 180, or the display 190 to enable a user to create a still image from a video stream displayed on the display 190 and store or record the still image in at least one of the host machine 170 or the computer 180.

[0024] In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more controllers 122 is configured to activate and / or deactivate the laser fiber 140. At least one of the one or more controllers 122 may be configured to activate the laser fiber 140 such that the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 emits light. At least one of the one or more controllers 122 may be configured to deactivate the laser fiber 140 such that the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 ceases to emit light.

[0025] The ureteroscope 100 may operate to perform or complete selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Some ureteroscope functions may be implemented through the use of components including hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. General-purpose components such as a general-purpose computer or oscilloscope may be used in the ureteroscope 100, but dedicated or custom components such as circuits, integrated circuits, or software may also be used. For example, some functions are implemented with a number of software instructions executed by one or more data processors that are part of a general-purpose or custom computer. The one or more data processors may be in at least one of the communication interface 150, the host machine 170, the computer 180, or the display 190. In some embodiments, the data processor or computer includes a volatile memory for storing instructions and / or data and / or non-volatile storage, such as a magnetic hard disk and / or a removable medium for storing instructions and / or data. In some embodiments, the implementation includes a network connection. In some embodiments, the implementation includes a user interface, generally including one or more input devices (e.g., allowing for input of commands and / or parameters), and output devices (e.g., allowing for reporting of operation and result parameters).

[0026] The handpiece 110 also includes a working channel port 118 and a working channel opening 107 (FIG. 1B) that provide fluid communication between the working channel port 118 and the distal end 105 of the catheter 104. The handpiece 110 may also include a working channel connector 130 connected or attached to the working channel port 118 and a working channel 152 (FIG. 2) that provides fluid communication between the working channel port 118 and the working channel opening 107 through the handpiece 110 and / or the catheter 104. The working channel 152 may include a single continuous material that runs through the handpiece 110 and the catheter 104. In some embodiments, the working channel 152 includes a first portion within an interior region 155 of the handpiece 110 and a second portion within the catheter 104. The first and second portions of the catheter 152 may include different materials or configurations that are fluidly connected to one another. At least one of the working channel port 118 or working channel connector 130 is configured to engage various surgical instruments and cleaning devices, such as a laser fiber 140, for operations such as stone fragmentation and retrieval, as needed. The working channel port 118 may be positioned near the catheter end 114 of the hand piece 110, at the lower / bottom or upper / top of the hand piece 110. The working channel port 118 may be positioned less than half the distance from the catheter end 114 to the control end 112, less than one-third the distance from the catheter end 114 to the control end 112, less than one-quarter the distance from the catheter end 114 to the control end 112, or less than one-fifth the distance from the catheter end 114 to the control end 112.

[0027] The hand piece 110 may also include a cable port 120 (FIG. 1A) for receiving or connecting the cable 102 to operatively couple the ureteroscope 100 to at least one of a host machine 170, a computer 180, or a display 190. Also, both the cable port 120 and the working channel port 118 may be positioned on a lower or bottom portion of the hand piece 110 near the catheter end 114 of the hand piece 110. For example, both the cable port 120 and the working channel port 118 may be positioned less than half the distance from the catheter end 114 to the control end 112, less than one-third the distance from the catheter end 114 to the control end 112, less than one-quarter the distance from the catheter end 114 to the control end 112, or less than one-fifth the distance from the catheter end 114 to the control end 112. Alternatively, the hand piece 110 may further include a miniature battery module for powering the optoelectronic module 109 and the at least one light source 111. The power source in handpiece 110 may be, for example, one or more conventional disposable dry batteries or lithium ion secondary batteries.

[0028] Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with one another without limitation. For example, the ureteroscope 100 shown in Figures 1-3 includes one or more controls 122 positioned at the control end 112 of the handpiece 110, but in some embodiments, the one or more controls 122 are not in the handpiece 110. Thus, in some embodiments, the one or more controls 122 are not in the handpiece 110, but the handpiece 110 includes a cable port 120 positioned near the catheter end 114, a cable 102 connected or connectable to the handpiece 110 at the cable port 118, and a working channel port 118 disposed on a curved first surface 126 along a longitudinal center plane near the catheter end 114. The cable 102 may be directly or indirectly connected or coupled to the handpiece 110 at the cable port 118.

[0029] 1-3 includes a cable port 120 positioned near the catheter end 114 and distal from the control end 112, in some embodiments the cable port 120 is not in the handpiece 110 or is positioned near the control end 112 and distal from the catheter end 114. Thus, in some embodiments the cable port 120 is not in the handpiece 110 or is positioned near the control end 112, but the handpiece 110 includes one or more controls 122 positioned at the control end 112 of the handpiece 110 and a working channel port 118 disposed on a curved first surface 126 along a longitudinal centerline near the catheter end 114. In yet other embodiments, the one or more controls 122 are not present in the handpiece 110 and the cable port 120 is not present in the handpiece 110 or is positioned near the control end 112, but the handpiece includes a working channel port 118 disposed on a curved first surface 126 along the longitudinal center plane near the catheter end 114.

[0030] Additionally, although the ureteroscope 100 shown in FIGS. 1-3 includes a working channel port 118 disposed on a curved first surface 126 along a longitudinal centerline near the catheter end 114 and distal from the control end 112, in some embodiments, the working channel port 118 may be disposed elsewhere on the handpiece 110. Thus, in some embodiments, the working channel port 118 may be disposed other than along a longitudinal centerline near the catheter end 114, but the handpiece may include one or more controls 122 positioned at the control end 112 of the handpiece 110 and a cable port 120 positioned near the catheter end 114. In still other embodiments, the one or more controls 122 are absent from the handpiece 110, and the working channel port 118 may be disposed other than along a longitudinal centerline near the catheter end 114, but the handpiece 110 includes a cable port 120 positioned near the catheter end 114. In some embodiments, the cable port 120 may be absent from the handpiece 110 or positioned near the control end 112, and the working channel port 118 may be disposed other than along the longitudinal center plane near the catheter end 114, but the handpiece 110 includes one or more controls 122 positioned at the control end 112 of the handpiece 110.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1A, a laser fiber 140 may be used with an endoscope system 10. The laser fiber 140 includes an emitting end 142 configured to selectively emit laser light to fragment stones within a subject's body. For example, the laser fiber 140 may be used with an endoscope system 10 during a surgical procedure known as laser lithotripsy to remove stones from a subject's urinary tract. In some embodiments, the laser fiber 140 and endoscope system 10 may be used to remove stones from a subject's kidney, ureter, bladder, and / or urethra. During a laser lithotripsy procedure, the catheter 104 of the ureteroscope 100 is inserted into the subject's urinary tract to locate the stone. The laser fiber 140 is inserted into the working channel connector 130 and working channel port 118, passes through the ureteroscope's working channel 152, and exits through the working channel opening 107. For example, the laser fiber 140 may be manually fed (e.g., hand-fed) through the working channel 152. Laser light may be emitted from the emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 to fragment or break the stone into pieces. The stone is fragmented by the laser light and the remaining pieces may be collected in a basket and / or washed out of the subject's urinary tract.

[0032] The laser fiber 140 may include any of a wide variety of laser fibers known in the art. For example, the laser fiber 140 may include a silica material and a variety of wavelengths. The laser fiber 140 may include a diameter of about 200 microns (or micrometers) to about 1000 microns. In some embodiments, the laser fiber 140 may include a pulsed dye laser, a Ho:YAG laser, a Nd:YAG laser, a holmium laser, or a thulium fiber laser. For example, the laser fiber may include a single-use fiber configured to deliver focused holmium energy. The laser fiber 140 may include a jacket 144 that provides an outer protective surface or covering for at least a portion of the laser fiber 140. The light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 may be spaced apart from the end of the jacket 144. The laser fiber 140 may be powered separately from the endoscopic system 10 or may be electrically coupled to and powered from the endoscopic system 10.

[0033] During use of the laser fiber 140 with the endoscopic system 10, laser light emitted from the emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 may damage the ureteroscope 100 if the laser light is emitted while the emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is still within the working channel 152 of the ureteroscope 100. The configuration of the endoscopic system 10 may provide the technical effect of preventing or inhibiting laser light from being emitted (e.g., firing) from the emitting end 142 of the laser fiber while the emitting end 142 is still within the working channel 152 of the ureteroscope 100. For example, in some embodiments, the endoscopic system 10 includes one or more sensors positioned to detect when at least a portion of the laser fiber 140 (1) enters the working channel 152, (2) passes through the working channel 152, and / or (3) exits the working channel 152 through the working channel opening 107 at the distal end 105 of the catheter 104. A processor in at least one of the host machine 170, computer 180 and / or display 190 in communication with the one or more sensors may be configured to determine whether the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside of the working channel 152 and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104 such that the laser light emitted from the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 does not damage the catheter 104 and / or endoscope 100. Thus, the configuration of the endoscopic system 10 results in a technical effect of preventing or inhibiting damage to the ureteroscope 100 and / or laser fiber 140 by ensuring that laser light is emitted from the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber only when the light emitting end 142 is outside of the working channel 152 and spaced a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter.

[0034] In some embodiments, a processor in at least one of the host machine 170, computer 180, and / or display 190 uses data collected from the photoelectric module 109 (e.g., an image sensor) at the distal end 105 of the catheter 104 to determine whether the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside of the working channel 152 and spaced a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104. For example, the processor in the host machine 170 and / or computer 180 may determine or otherwise measure the color (e.g., blue) of the laser fiber on the display 190 displaying an image or video from the photoelectric module 109. When the processor determines that sufficient color of the laser fiber 140 is visible on the display 190 to indicate that the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside of the working channel 152 and spaced a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 140, an alert may be displayed or otherwise signaled indicating that it is safe to emit or emit laser light from the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140.

[0035] In some embodiments, the endoscopic system includes at least an image sensor of a photoelectric module 109 positioned at the distal end 105 of the catheter 104. The image sensor of the photoelectric module is configured to detect when at least a portion of the laser fiber 140 exits the working channel 152 through the working channel opening 107 at the distal end of the catheter 104. The processor is configured to determine, based on data from the image sensor of the photoelectric module 109, whether the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside the working channel 152 and is spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104. In some embodiments, the predetermined distance spaces the light emitting end 142 from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104 by at least about 3 mm to about 8 mm. Spacing the light emitting end 142 at least 3 mm to about 8 mm from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104 outside of the working channel 152 provides the technical effect of preventing or inhibiting the laser light from damaging the catheter 104 and / or the handpiece when the light emitting end 142 emits laser light.

[0036] In some embodiments, the endoscopic system 10 is configured to display images (e.g., still images, movie or video images) collected from the image sensor of the photoelectric module 109 on the display 190 in real time. A processor in at least one of the host machine 170, the computer 180 and / or the display 190 is configured to determine whether the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside the working channel 152 and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104. For example, the processor may determine an amount of the laser fiber 140 visible on the display 190 that displays images collected from the image sensor of the photoelectric module in real time. In some embodiments, the processor may be configured to determine whether the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside the working channel 152 and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104 by identifying a number or percentage of pixels on the display 190 that display a color of the laser fiber 140. For example, the laser fiber 140 (e.g., the fiber jacket 144) may include a blue color. The processor may be configured to measure or determine the number or percentage of pixels on the display 190 that display the blue color of the laser fiber 140. A predetermined number or percentage of pixels on the display 190 may indicate that the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside of the working channel 152 and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104. In other embodiments, the laser fiber 140 may include other colors (e.g., red, green, yellow, etc.) that are similarly detected by the image sensor of the photoelectric module 109 and used to determine whether the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside of the working channel 152 and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104.In some embodiments, a processor in at least one of the host machine 170, computer 180 and / or display 190 is configured to use data from the image sensor in the photoelectric module 109 to determine that the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside the working channel 152 and is spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104 by using an algorithm that uses data from the image sensor in the photoelectric module 109 to calculate the distance of the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 from the photoelectric module 109.

[0037] The endoscopic system 10 may be configured to provide an alert indicating when the light emitting end 142 is outside of the working channel 152 and / or spaced a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104, or when it is not. For example, a processor in at least one of the host machine 170, the computer 180, and / or the display 190 may be configured to coordinate an alert on the display 190 when the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside of the working channel 152 and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104. For example, the display 190 may display a green box or icon when the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside of the working channel 152 and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104. A processor in at least one of the host machine 170, the computer 180, and / or the display 190 may be configured to coordinate an alert on the display 190 when the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is not outside of the working channel 152 and / or is not spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104. For example, the display 190 may display a red box or icon when the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is not outside of the working channel 152 (e.g., still within the working channel 152) and / or is not spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104. In some embodiments, the configuration of the endoscopic system 10 provides the technical effect of preventing or inhibiting the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 from emitting laser light until the processor determines that the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside of the working channel 152 and is spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104. In some embodiments, the configuration of endoscopic system 10 results in the technical effect of preventing light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber from emitting laser light when light emitting end 142 is within working channel 152.

[0038] In some embodiments, the endoscopic system 10 may include a sensor positioned within or near the handpiece 110 of the ureteroscope 100 to detect the laser fiber 140 passing through the working channel 152, the working channel port 118, and / or the working channel connector 130. The laser fiber 140 and / or the jacket 144 on the laser fiber 140 may include one or more markers (e.g., dots, lines, or bar codes). The sensor may be positioned to detect the one or more markers, and a processor associated with the sensor may interpret and / or count the markers passing through the working channel 152 to determine when the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside the working channel 152 and spaced a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104.

[0039] 2, the endoscopic system 10 includes a sensor 209 positioned to detect at least the laser fiber 140 or the jacket 144 of the laser fiber 140 passing through the working channel 152. According to some embodiments, the sensor 209 may include an image sensor. In some embodiments, the sensor 209 may include a metal or magnetic sensor. The sensor 209 may be electrically coupled to or in communication with at least one processor of the host machine 170, the computer 180, and / or the display 190. In some embodiments, the endoscopic system 10 does not utilize data from the image sensor of the photoelectric module 109, but instead uses data from the sensor 209 to determine whether the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside the working channel 152 and spaced a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104. In some embodiments, the sensor 209 is not present in the endoscopic system 10, and the endoscopic system 10 uses data from the image sensor of the photoelectric module 109, as described above, to determine whether the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside the working channel 152 and is spaced a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104.

[0040] At least some of the first portion of the working channel 152 passing through the interior region 155 of the hand piece 110 may be translucent or transparent. The sensor 209 is positioned within the interior region 155 of the hand piece 110 near at least the first portion of the translucent or transparent working channel 152. The sensor 209 is configured to detect the laser fiber 140 and / or the jacket 144 of the laser fiber 140 passing through the first portion of the translucent or transparent working channel 152. In some embodiments, a processor in at least one of the host machine 170, the computer 180, and / or the display 190 is configured to determine whether the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside the working channel 152 and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104 based on the sensor 209 detecting the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 or the jacket 144 of the laser fiber 140 and the predetermined length passing through the first portion of the translucent or transparent working channel 152.

[0041] In some embodiments, the jacket 144 of the laser fiber 140 includes a plurality of markers 242 thereon. The sensor 209 is configured to detect the plurality of markers 242, and a processor in at least one of the host machine 170, the computer 180, and / or the display 180 is configured to determine whether the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside the working channel 152 and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104 based at least on a predetermined number of the plurality of markers 242 passing by and being detected by the sensor 209. The markers may include dots, bar codes, and / or materials detectable by the sensor 209 that are different from the remainder of the jacket 144. For example, the markers may be spaced apart from one another at a predetermined interval, such as about 1.5 cm to about 2 cm between each marker of the plurality of markers 242. The processor may be configured to count how many markers are detected by the sensor 209 and indicate that the laser fiber emitting end 142 is outside the working channel 152 and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104 when a predetermined number of the plurality of markers 242 are detected by the sensor. In some embodiments, the plurality of markers 242 may include one or more bar codes, fiducial marks, magnetic markers, and / or metallic markers that are readable or detectable by the sensor 209, and the processor may be configured to use data from the sensor reading the one or more bar codes on the fiber jacket 144 to determine how much of the laser fiber 140 has passed the sensor 209 and / or whether the laser fiber emitting end 142 is outside the working channel 152 and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104.In some embodiments, the endoscopic system 10 is configured to signal an alert on the display 190 when (1) the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside the working channel 152 and is spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104, and / or (2) the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is not outside the working channel 150 and / or is not spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104.

[0042] Although shown within the interior region 155 of the hand piece 110 in FIG. 2, in some embodiments the sensor 209 may be positioned on the hand piece 110 near the working channel port 118 and / or the working channel connector 130. For example, the sensor 209 may be positioned outside the hand piece 110. In these and other embodiments, the processor may be configured to determine whether the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside the working channel 152 and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 104 of the catheter 105 based on the sensor 209 detecting the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 or the jacket 144 of the laser fiber 140 and the predetermined length entering the working channel 152 through the working channel port 118 and / or the working channel connector 130. In these and other embodiments, the jacket 144 may include a plurality of markers 242. The sensor 209 may be configured to determine whether the light emitting end 142 of the laser fiber 140 is outside the working channel 152 and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end 105 of the catheter 104 based on at least a predetermined number of the multiple markers 242 entering the working channel 152 through the working channel port 118 or the working channel connector 130.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method 400 of using a laser fiber with a ureteroscope, according to one embodiment. Method 400 may include the use of any of the embodiments of endoscopic system 10 described above. The method includes an operation 405 of inserting a ureteroscope catheter into a subject's urethra to a selected location. Method 400 includes an operation 410 of feeding (e.g., inserting) a laser fiber into a working channel port on a ureteroscope handpiece and directing (e.g., pushing) the laser fiber through a working channel positioned at least partially within the handpiece and catheter in fluid communication with the working channel port. Method 400 includes an operation 415 of determining, with one or more sensors and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors, whether an emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from a working channel opening at a distal end of the catheter distal to the handpiece. Method 400 includes an operation 420 of emitting laser light from an emitting end of the laser fiber if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the working channel. The laser light emitted from the emitting end of the laser fiber spalls or breaks the stone near the emitting end of the laser light. In some embodiments, the method 400 may optionally include an operation of further feeding (e.g., pushing) the laser fiber through the working channel if it is determined that the emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside of the working channel and / or is not spaced at least a predetermined distance from the working channel. The method 400 may then return to operations 415 and 420.

[0044] In some embodiments, operation 415 includes using a processor and data from an image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter that detects that at least a portion of the laser fiber has exited the working channel through the working channel opening to determine whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and is at least a predetermined distance away from the working channel opening. In these and other embodiments, method 400 may include displaying images collected from the image sensor in real time on a display in communication with the processor. Operation 415 may then further include using a processor to determine whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and is at least a predetermined distance away from the working channel opening by identifying an amount of the laser fiber visible on a display that displays images collected from the image sensor in real time. More specifically, operation 415 may include using a processor to determine whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is at least a predetermined distance away from the distal end by identifying a number or percentage of pixels on the display that display the color of the laser fiber. In these and other embodiments, the method 400 may further include using a processor to coordinate an alert on a display if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside of the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter. The method 400 may also include using a processor to coordinate an alert on a display if the emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside of the working channel and / or is not spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter.

[0045] In some embodiments, operation 415 may include (1) detecting, with at least one sensor positioned near the working channel port and / or working channel, that the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber enters the working channel port and / or passes through the working channel, and (2) using the processor and data from the at least one sensor detecting the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber to determine whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and is spaced at least a predetermined distance from the working channel opening. In these and other embodiments, detecting, with at least one sensor positioned near the working channel port and / or working channel, that the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber enters the working channel port and / or passes through the working channel may include detecting, with at least one sensor positioned within an interior region of the handpiece near a portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, that the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passes through a portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent.

[0046] More specifically, the act of detecting, with at least one sensor positioned within the interior region of the hand piece near at least the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, that the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passes through the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, may include detecting, with at least one sensor positioned within the interior region of the hand piece near at least the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, that the light emitting end and the predetermined length of the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passes through the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent. In these and other embodiments, the act of determining, with the processor and data from the at least one sensor detecting the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber, whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the working channel opening may include determining, with the processor, whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based on data from the at least one sensor detecting the light emitting end and the predetermined length of the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passes through the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent.

[0047] In some embodiments, the act of detecting, with at least one sensor positioned within the interior region of the hand piece near at least the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, that the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passes through the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent may include detecting, with at least one sensor positioned within the interior region of the hand piece near at least the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, that a predetermined number of markers of the plurality of markers on the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber pass through the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent. In these and other embodiments, the act of determining, with the processor and data from the at least one sensor detecting the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber, whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and is spaced at least a predetermined distance from the working channel opening may include determining, with the processor and data from the at least one sensor for a predetermined number of markers of the plurality of markers on the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through the portion of the working channel, whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and is spaced at least a predetermined distance from the working channel opening.

[0048] In some embodiments of the method 400 described above, the method 400 may further include using a processor to coordinate an alert on a display if the emitting end of the laser fiber is outside of the working channel and is spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter. The method 400 may also include an act of using a processor to coordinate an alert on a display if the emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside of the working channel and / or is not spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter.

[0049] The operations of method 400 described above, including, but not limited to, operations 405, 410, 415, and 420, are for purposes of illustration. For example, the operations of method 400 may be performed in a different order, divided into multiple operations, modified, supplemented, or combined. In embodiments, one or more of the operations of method 400 may be omitted from method 400. Any of the operations of method 900 may include using any of the handpiece 110, ureteroscope 100, and / or system 10 disclosed herein.

[0050] The systems and methods described herein may include a controller for performing one or more aspects of the systems and methods. For example, the controller may perform operation 415 of method 400. Additionally, one or more (e.g., all) of the communication interface 150 in the handpiece 110, the host machine 170, the computer 180, and / or the display 190 in the endoscopic system 10 may utilize a controller. For example, the processor described in connection with the endoscopic system 10 may include or utilize a controller. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a controller 500 that may be utilized in any of the exemplary systems and methods described herein, according to one embodiment. The controller 500 may be configured to perform one or more operations of any of the exemplary methods disclosed herein, such as operation 415 of method 400. The controller 500 includes at least one computing device 510. The at least one computing device 510 is an exemplary computing device that may be configured to perform one or more of the operations described above, such as operation 415 of method 400. At least one computing device 510 may include one or more servers, one or more computers (e.g., desktop computers, laptop computers), or one or more mobile computing devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, etc.). The computing device 510 may include at least one processor 520, memory 530, storage devices 540, input / output ("I / O") devices / interfaces 550, and communication interfaces 560. Although an exemplary computing device 510 is illustrated in FIG. 5, the components illustrated in FIG. 5 are not intended to limit the controller 500 or computing device 510. In some examples, additional or alternative components may be used. Furthermore, in some examples, the controller 500 or computing device 510 may include fewer components than those illustrated in FIG. 5.For example, the controller 500 may not include the one or more additional computing devices 512. In some examples, the at least one computing device 510 may include multiple computing devices, such as a server farm, a computing network, or a cluster of computing devices. The components of the computing device 510 shown in FIG. 5 are described in further detail below.

[0051] In some examples, the processor 520 includes hardware for executing instructions, such as instructions constituting a computer program (e.g., instructions for performing one or more portions of the methods disclosed herein). For example, to execute instructions, the processor 520 may retrieve (or fetch) instructions from an internal register, an internal cache, memory 530, or storage device 540, and decode and execute them. By way of example, the processor 520 may include one or more instruction caches, one or more data caches, and one or more translation lookaside buffers (TLBs). Instructions in an instruction cache may be copies of instructions in memory 530 or storage device 540. In some examples, the processor 520 may be configured to perform one or more portions of any of the example methods disclosed herein (e.g., including instructions stored on or executed by the processor 520).

[0052] In some examples, the processor 520 is configured to perform any of the operations disclosed herein, such as operation 415 in method 400, and / or to cause one or more portions of the computing device 510 or controller 500 to perform at least one of the operations disclosed herein. Such a configuration may include one or more operating programs (e.g., computer program products) executable by at least one processor 520. For example, the processor 520 may be configured to automatically determine, using one or more sensors and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors, whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the working channel opening at the distal end of the catheter distal to the handpiece.

[0053] At least one computing device 510 (e.g., a server) may include at least one memory storage medium (e.g., memory 530 and / or storage device 540). The computing device 510 may include memory 530 operatively coupled to the processor 520. The memory 530 may be used to store data, metadata, and programs for execution by the processor 520. The memory 530 may include one or more of volatile and non-volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), solid-state disk (SSD), flash, phase-change memory (PCM), or other types of data storage. The memory 530 may be internal or distributed memory.

[0054] The computing device 510 may include a storage device 540 having storage for storing data or instructions. The storage device 540 may be operatively coupled to at least one processor 520. In some examples, the storage device 540 may include a non-transitory memory storage medium, such as any of those described above. The storage device 540 (e.g., a non-transitory storage medium) may include a hard disk drive (HDD), a floppy disk drive, a flash memory, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, or a universal serial bus (USB) drive, or a combination of two or more of these. The storage device 540 may include a removable or non-removable (or fixed) medium. The storage device 540 may be internal or external to the computing device 510. In some examples, the storage device 540 may include a non-volatile solid-state memory. In some examples, the storage device 540 may include a read-only memory (ROM). Where appropriate, the ROM may be a mask-programmed ROM, a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), an electrically alterable programmable ROM (EAROM), or a flash memory, or a combination of two or more of these. In some examples, one or more portions of the memory 530 and / or the storage device 540 (e.g., a memory storage medium) may store one or more databases.

[0055] In some examples, data from one or more sensors of the endoscopic system 10 may be stored in a memory storage medium, such as, for example, at least one processor 520 (e.g., an internal cache of the processor), memory 530, or one or more of the storage devices 540. In some examples, the at least one processor 520 may be configured to access (e.g., via bus 570) a memory storage medium, such as, for example, one or more of the memory 530 or the storage devices 540. For example, the at least one processor 520 may receive and store data (e.g., a look-up table) as a plurality of data points in the memory storage medium. The at least one processor 520 may execute internally stored instructions adapted to access data in the memory storage medium to automatically determine, using the one or more sensors and the processor in communication with the one or more sensors, whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the working channel opening at the distal end of the catheter distal to the handpiece.

[0056] The computing device 510 also comprises one or more I / O devices / interfaces 550 provided to enable a user to provide input, receive output, and otherwise transfer data to and from the computing device 510. These I / O devices / interfaces 550 may include a mouse, a keypad or keyboard, a touch screen, a camera, an optical scanner, a network interface, web-based access, a modem, a port, other known I / O devices, or a combination of such I / O devices / interfaces 550. The touch screen may be activated by a stylus or a finger.

[0057] The I / O device / interface 550 may include one or more devices for presenting output to a user, including, but not limited to, a graphics engine, a display (e.g., a display screen or monitor), one or more output drivers (e.g., a display driver), one or more audio speakers, and one or more audio drivers. In some examples, the I / O device / interface 550 is configured to provide graphics data to a display for presentation to a user. The graphics data may represent one or more graphical user interfaces and / or any other graphical content as long as it is capable of serving a particular implementation.

[0058] The computing device 510 may further include a communication interface 560. The communication interface 560 may include hardware, software, or both. The communication interface 560 may provide one or more interfaces for communication (e.g., packet-based communication, etc.) between the computing device 510 and one or more additional computing devices 512 or one or more networks. For example, the communication interface 560 may include a network interface controller (NIC) or network adapter for communicating with an Ethernet or other wire-based network, or a wireless NIC (WNIC) or wireless adapter for communicating with a wireless network such as WI-FI, etc.

[0059] Any suitable network and any suitable communication interface 560 may be used. For example, the computing device 510 may communicate with one or more portions of an ad-hoc network, a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), or the Internet, or a combination of two or more of these. One or more portions of one or more of these networks may be wired or wireless. By way of example, the controller 500 or one or more portions of the computing device 510 may communicate with a wireless PAN (WPAN) (e.g., a BLUETOOTH WPAN, etc.), a WI-FI network, a WI-MAX network, a cellular telephone network (e.g., a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, etc.), or other suitable wireless network, or a combination of two or more of these. The computing device 510 may include any suitable communication interface 560 for any of these networks, where appropriate.

[0060] Computing device 510 may include a bus 570. Bus 570 may include hardware, software, or both that couples components of computing device 510 to one another. For example, bus 570 may include an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) or other graphics bus, an Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, a Front Side Bus (FSB), a HYPERTRANSPORT (HT) interconnect, an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, an INFINIBAND interconnect, a Low Pin Count (LPC) bus, a memory bus, a MicroChannel Architecture (MCA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI Express (PCIe) bus, a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association Local (VLB) bus, or another suitable bus, or a combination of two or more of these.

[0061] As used herein, the terms "about" or "substantially" refer to an acceptable variation of ±10% or ±5% of the term modified by "about" or "in an embodiment." Additionally, the terms "less than," "less than," "greater than," "greater than," or "more than" include the value modified by the term "less than," "less than," "greater than," or "more than" as an endpoint.

[0062] While various aspects and embodiments are disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are intended to be illustrative and not limiting.

Claims

1. 1. A ureteroscope system comprising: a handpiece having a distal end region, a proximal end region, an interior region, a working channel port, a first portion of a working channel in fluid communication with the working channel port, and a cable port; a catheter extending from the distal end region of the handpiece, the catheter including a working channel port and a second portion of the working channel in fluid communication with the first portion of the working channel, the catheter having a distal end defining a working channel opening in fluid communication with the working channel; one or more sensors positioned and configured to detect a position of at least a portion of the laser fiber; a processor in communication with the one or more sensors, the processor configured to determine whether an emission end of the laser fiber configured to emit laser light is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter, such that laser light emitted by the emission of the laser fiber does not damage the catheter and / or the handpiece; A ureteroscope system comprising:

2. 2. The ureteroscope system of claim 1, the handpiece includes a cable port; the ureteroscope system comprising a cable connected or connectable to the handpiece at the cable port, the cable providing power to the one or more sensors and configured to communicate with one or more electronic devices comprising the processor; A ureteroscope system comprising:

3. 3. The ureteroscope system according to claim 1, the one or more sensors comprise at least an image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter configured to detect when at least a portion of the laser fiber exits the working channel through the working channel opening at the distal end of the catheter; the processor is configured to determine, based on data from the image sensor, whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end; A ureteroscope system comprising:

4. 4. The ureteroscope system of claim 3, the one or more electronic devices comprising at least a display configured to display images collected from the image sensor in real time; the processor is configured to determine whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end by identifying an amount of the laser fiber that is visible on the display that displays the images collected from the image sensor in real time; A ureteroscope system comprising:

5. 5. The ureteroscope system of claim 4, the processor is configured to determine whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end by identifying a number or percentage of pixels on the display that display a color of the laser fiber; A ureteroscope system comprising:

6. 6. The ureteroscope system of claim 5, The processor, configured to coordinate an alert on the display when the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter, or when the light emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside the working channel and / or is not spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter; A ureteroscope system comprising:

7. 3. The ureteroscope system according to claim 1, the one or more sensors include at least one sensor positioned to detect the laser fiber or a jacket on the laser fiber entering and / or passing through the working channel; A ureteroscope system comprising:

8. 8. The ureteroscope system of claim 7, at least some of the first portion of the working channel passes through the interior region of the handpiece and is translucent or transparent; the at least one sensor is positioned within the interior region of the handpiece at least near the first portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, and the at least one sensor is configured to detect passage of the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber through the first portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent; A ureteroscope system comprising:

9. 9. The ureteroscope system of claim 8, the processor is configured to determine whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based on the at least one sensor detecting that the light emitting end and a predetermined length of the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber pass through the first portion of the working channel, which is translucent or transparent.

10. 9. The ureteroscope system of claim 8, the laser fiber having a plurality of markers on the laser fiber or on the jacket on the laser fiber, the at least one sensor configured to detect the plurality of markers, and the processor configured to determine whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based at least on a predetermined number of the plurality of markers passing the at least one sensor; A ureteroscope system comprising:

11. The ureteroscope system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising an image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter; the one or more electronic devices comprising at least a display configured to display images collected from the image sensor in real time; the processor is configured to coordinate an alert on the display if the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter, or if the light emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside the working channel and / or is not spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter; A ureteroscope system comprising:

12. 8. The ureteroscope system of claim 7, the at least one sensor is positioned on the handpiece near the working channel port, the at least one sensor configured to detect the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber entering the working channel through the working channel port; A ureteroscope system comprising:

13. 13. The ureteroscope system of claim 12, the processor is configured to determine whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based on the at least one sensor detecting the light emitting end and a predetermined length of the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber entering the working channel through the working channel port; A ureteroscope system comprising:

14. 13. The ureteroscope system of claim 12, the laser fiber having a plurality of markers on the laser fiber or on the jacket on the laser fiber; the at least one sensor is configured to detect the plurality of markers; the processor is configured to determine whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based at least on a predetermined number of the plurality of markers entering the working channel through the working channel port; A ureteroscope system comprising:

15. The ureteroscope system according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising an image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter; the one or more electronic devices comprising at least a display configured to display images collected from the image sensor in real time; the processor is configured to coordinate an alert on the display when the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter, or when the light emitting end of the laser fiber is not spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter; A ureteroscope system comprising:

16. The ureteroscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the predetermined distance is between about 3 mm and about 8 mm.

17. 1. A method of using a laser fiber with a ureteroscope, the method comprising: inserting the ureteroscope catheter into the subject's urethra to a selected location; delivering the laser fiber to a working channel port on a handpiece of the ureteroscope through a working channel positioned at least partially within the handpiece and the catheter in fluid communication with the working channel port; determining, with one or more sensors and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors, whether an emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from a working channel opening at a distal end of the catheter distal to the handpiece; emitting laser light from the light emitting end of the laser fiber when it is determined that the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and is spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel; A method comprising:

18. 20. The method of claim 17, and further comprising: feeding the laser fiber further through the working channel when the light emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside of the working channel and / or is not spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel. The method comprising:

19. 19. The method of claim 17 or 18, Determining, with one or more sensors and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors, whether an emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from a working channel opening, includes: determining whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel opening using the processor and data from an image sensor positioned at the distal end of the catheter that detects that at least a portion of the laser fiber has exited the working channel through the working channel opening; The method comprising:

20. 20. The method of claim 19, and displaying in real time images collected from the image sensor on a display in communication with the processor; Determining whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel opening using data from the processor and the image sensor includes: determining, with the processor, whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel opening by identifying an amount of the laser fiber that is visible on the display that displays in real time the images collected from the image sensor; The method comprising:

21. 21. The method of claim 20, determining whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside of the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from the working channel opening by identifying an amount of the laser fiber that is visible on the display that displays the images collected from the image sensor in real time; determining, with the processor, whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end by identifying a number or percentage of pixels on the display that display a color of the laser fiber; A method comprising:

22. 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: using the processor to coordinate an alert on the display if the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside of the working channel and is spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter, or if the light emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside of the working channel and / or is not spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter. The method comprising:

23. 19. The method of claim 17 or 18, Determining, with one or more sensors and a processor in communication with the one or more sensors, whether an emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least a predetermined distance from a working channel opening, includes: detecting, with at least one sensor positioned near the working channel port and / or the working channel, that the laser fiber or a jacket on the laser fiber enters the working channel port and / or passes through the working channel; using the processor and data from the at least one sensor detecting the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber to determine whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and is spaced at least the predetermined distance from a working channel opening; A method comprising:

24. 24. The method of claim 23, Detecting, with at least one sensor positioned near the working channel port and / or the working channel, the laser fiber or a jacket on the laser fiber entering the working channel port and / or passing through the working channel, detecting, with the at least one sensor positioned within the interior region of the handpiece near at least a portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, that the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passes through the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent; The method comprising:

25. 25. The method of claim 24, Detecting, with the at least one sensor positioned within the interior region of the handpiece near at least a portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, detecting, with the at least one sensor positioned within the interior region of the handpiece near the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, the light emitting end and a predetermined length of the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent; Determining whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from a working channel opening using the processor and data from the at least one sensor detecting the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber includes: and determining, with the processor, whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter based on data from the at least one sensor detecting passage of the light emitting end of the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber and the predetermined length through the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent.

26. 25. The method of claim 24, Detecting, with the at least one sensor positioned within the interior region of the handpiece near at least a portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, detecting, with the at least one sensor positioned within the interior region of the handpiece near the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent, a predetermined number of markers on the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through the portion of the working channel that is translucent or transparent; Determining whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from a working channel opening using the processor and data from the at least one sensor detecting the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber includes: using the processor and data from the at least one sensor for the predetermined number of the markers on the laser fiber or the jacket on the laser fiber passing through a portion of the working channel to determine whether the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and spaced at least the predetermined distance from a working channel opening.

27. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 26, comprising the steps of: and, using the processor, coordinating an alert on a display if the light emitting end of the laser fiber is outside the working channel and is spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter, or if the light emitting end of the laser fiber is not outside the working channel and / or is not spaced at least the predetermined distance from the distal end of the catheter.

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