Medical systems, devices, and related methods

Abstract

This provides a medical system for physically and electronically connecting an implantable device with a medical device. [Solution] The medical system 10 includes an insertion device 12 which includes a handle 22, an insertion portion 24 having at least one lumen, a port 38 fluid-coupled to the lumen, and a connection portion 18. The medical system also includes a medical device 14 which includes a handle 50, an insertion portion 52, and a connection portion 20 configured to be coupled to the connection portion of the insertion device. The connection portion of the medical device is configured to be coupled to the connection portion of the insertion device so as to form an electronic and physical connection between the insertion device and the medical device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to medical systems, devices, and methods. In particular, aspects of the present disclosure relate to medical systems, devices, and methods for physically and electronically coupling medical devices.

Background Art

[0002] Medical devices, such as endoscopes or other suitable insertion devices, are used for various types of diagnostic and surgical procedures, such as endoscopy, laparoscopy, arthroscopy, female genital system examination, thoracoscopy, cystoscopy, etc. Many of these procedures involve delivering an insertion device to a location within a patient's body. Further, many procedures involve delivering a medical device through a lumen within the insertion device. In particular, such procedures may be performed by inserting an insertion device (e.g., a duodenoscope) into a subject's body through a surgical incision or through a natural anatomical opening (e.g., the mouth, vagina, or rectum), and at a target site, performing a procedure or surgery using an auxiliary medical device (e.g., a catheter with visualization function) inserted through the insertion device.

[0003] Each implantable device and medical device may have one or more lighting devices (e.g., LEDs), visualization devices (e.g., cameras), etc., which require power sources, display devices, etc. Each implantable device and medical device may have an umbilicus or other cables or wires to connect the implantable device and medical device to a power source, controller, user interface, display, etc. The umbilicus or other cables or wires may interfere with or obstruct the user's movement during the medical procedure and / or may be accidentally twisted or cut during the procedure. Furthermore, each implantable device and medical device may require separate main devices for power supply, control, and visualization, respectively. The umbilicus, cables, wires, and multiple main devices may increase the duration, cost, and risk of the medical procedure.

[0004] The devices and methods of this disclosure may correct some of the above-mentioned shortcomings or address other aspects of the prior art. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0005] Examples of this disclosure relate, among other things, to systems and devices for combining medical devices and using those medical devices to perform one or more medical procedures, as well as related methods of use thereof. Each of the examples disclosed herein may include one or more features described in relation to any of the other examples disclosed.

[0006] In one example, the medical system may include an insertion device comprising a handle, an insertion portion having at least one lumen, a port fluid-coupled to the lumen, and a connection portion. The medical system may also include a medical device comprising a handle, an insertion portion, and a connection portion configured to connect to the connection portion of the insertion device. The connection portion of the medical device may be configured to connect to the connection portion of the insertion device to form an electronic and physical connection between the insertion device and the medical device.

[0007] The medical system may include one or more of the following features: The insertion portion of the medical device may be configured to be inserted into the insertion portion of the insertion device through a port and a lumen. The connection portion of the insertion device may include a recessed port and one or more doors for movable covering the recessed port. The connection portion of the insertion device and the connection portion of the medical device may be configured to be joined together via a friction fit. The connection portion of the medical device may include one or more extensions extending from the medical device to open one or more doors and connect the medical device to the insertion device. The connection portion of the medical device may include a pin, and the connection portion of the insertion device may include a pinhole. The connection portion of the insertion device and the connection portion of the medical device may be joined via a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism may include at least two claws having a wide end portion and a bendable arm. The connector portion of the insertion device may include at least two claws having a wide end portion and a bendable arm, and the connection portion of the medical device may include a recess for receiving a portion of the wide end portion.

[0008] The medical system may further include a control unit, which may be physically and electronically coupled to the implantable device via an umbilicus. The control unit may deliver power to both the implantable device and the medical device via the umbilicus, supplying power to one or more distal components on the distal end of the implantable portion of the implantable device and to one or more distal components on the distal end of the implantable portion of the medical device. The implantable device may include a controller to receive signals from the distal components of the implantable device and from the distal components of the medical device. The controller may be configured to demodulate and / or compress the received signals from the distal components of the implantable device and from the distal components of the medical device. Demodulation and / or compression may include 64QAM carrier or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. The implantable device and the medical device may be powered by a single umbilicus coupled to the implantable device. The single umbilicus may include a single coaxial cable.

[0009] In other embodiments, the medical device may include a handle, an insertion portion having at least one lumen, a port fluid-coupled to the lumen, and a connecting portion configured to be coupled to another connecting portion of another medical device. The connecting portion may be configured to electronically and physically couple the medical device to the other medical device.

[0010] A medical device may include one or more of the following features: The medical device may further include an umbilicus coupled to a handle and configured to couple the medical device to a control unit. The umbilicus may be configured to deliver power to the medical device in order to power both the medical device and another medical device. The medical device may further include a controller configured to receive signals from distal components of both the medical device and another medical device. The controller may be configured to demodulate and / or compress the signals received from distal components of both the medical device and the other medical device and transmit the signals to the control unit via the umbilicus.

[0011] In further embodiments, the method may include the step of inserting the distal portion of the insertion part of the insertion device into the patient's body. The insertion device may include a handle coupled to the insertion part. The method may also include the step of coupling the handle of a medical device to the handle of the insertion device. The medical device may include an insertion part coupled to the handle of the medical device, and coupling the handle of the medical device to the handle of the insertion device may form an electronic and physical connection between the medical device and the insertion device. The method may also include the steps of inserting the insertion part of the medical device into the patient's body through the lumen of the insertion device, and visualizing and / or performing the procedure within the patient's body.

[0012] The method may include one or more of the following features. The method may also include the step of coupling the handle of the implantable device to a control unit via an umbilicus. The implantable device may further include a controller configured to receive signals from distal components of both the implantable device and the medical device. The controller may be configured to demodulate and / or compress the signals received from distal components of both the implantable device and the medical device and transmit the signals to the control unit via the umbilicus. The control unit may be configured to deliver power to both the implantable device and the medical device via the umbilicus.

[0013] Please understand that both the general description above and the detailed description below are illustrative and explanatory only and do not limit the claimed disclosure. The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and forming part thereof illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description thereof, serve to illustrate the principles of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] A diagram illustrating an exemplary medical system including two medical devices in a combined configuration, according to aspects of this disclosure. [Figure 2]A diagram illustrating an exemplary medical system of Figure 1 in an unconnected configuration according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram of a control system for at least a portion of the exemplary medical system shown in Figures 1 and 2, according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 4] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate alternative configurations of parts of an exemplary medical system. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating an exemplary treatment method according to the aspects of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Examples of the present disclosure include devices and methods for promoting and improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and / or safety of visualizing and / or manipulating tissue during medical procedures. For example, aspects of the present disclosure may enable a user (e.g., a physician, medical technician, or other healthcare provider) to physically and electronically connect the handles of two medical devices (e.g., an implantable device and a medical device). Aspects of the present disclosure may also enable a user to deliver an implantable device to a location within a patient's body and a medical device to that location within the patient's body through the internal lumen of the implantable device to visualize, excise, energy supply, treat, or otherwise manipulate tissue or material within the patient's body.

[0016] Embodiments of this disclosure may relate to systems for performing various medical procedures, as well as methods for obtaining visualization of the pancreaticobiliary junction system and / or any other suitable patient anatomy. The various embodiments described herein may include single-use or disposable medical devices. More specifically, in exemplary embodiments, a medical system may be configured to deliver and position a visualization device and / or access device, such as a needle knife and / or incision knife, to access the papilla of Vater or the papilla major. The papilla of Vater generally forms an opening where the pancreatic duct and the common bile duct pour into the duodenum of the small intestine. The hepatic duct and gallbladder pour into the common bile duct. Generally, endoscopic or biliary procedures may require advancing a medical device to a suitable location along the bile duct tree and then performing the appropriate intervention. Among other things, the medical devices and methods disclosed herein provide access to and visualization of the papilla and / or pancreaticobiliary junction system (as well as delivery systems and access devices for visualization). For example, the insertion device may be a duodenoscope that can be delivered to access the papilla, and the medical device may be inserted through the duodenoscope and extended distally into the bile duct beyond the insertion portion of the duodenoscope.

[0017] The physical and electronic coupling of the handles of the two medical devices may further enable the two medical devices to be connected to a single main device for powering illumination devices (e.g., LEDs), visualization devices (e.g., cameras), etc., of both medical devices, and for sending and receiving information from one or more sensors on both medical devices. Some aspects of this disclosure may be used when performing endoscopy, laparoscopy, arthroscopy, or other types of procedures. For example, the disclosed aspects may be used with duodenoscopes, bronchoscopes, ureteroscopes, colonoscopes, catheters, diagnostic or therapeutic tools or devices, or other medical devices.

[0018] Next, we will refer in detail to the examples of this disclosure shown above and in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0019] In this specification, the terms “proximal” and “distal” are used to refer to the relative locations of components of an exemplary medical device. As used herein, “proximal” refers to a location relatively close to the outside of the body or close to the healthcare professional using the medical device. “Distal,” on the other hand, refers to a location relatively far from the healthcare professional using the medical device or close to the inside of the body. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” or other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device or method comprising a set of elements may include not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly enumerated or inherent to them. Unless otherwise stated, the term “exemplary” is used in the sense of “example” and not “ideal.” As used herein, the terms “about,” “substantially,” and “approximately” indicate a range of values ​​within + / - 10% of the stated value.

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 show a medical system 10 including an insertion device 12 and a medical device 14. Figure 1 shows the insertion device 12 and medical device 14 in a coupled configuration, and Figure 2 shows the insertion device 12 and medical device 14 in an uncoupled configuration. Figure 1 shows a first side of the medical device 14, and Figure 2 shows a second side of the medical device 14 opposite to the first side. The insertion device 12 may be an endoscope, duodenoscope, bronchoscope, ureteroscope, colonoscope, or other type of medical device. In one embodiment, the insertion device 12 may be a single-use type medical device. In another embodiment, the insertion device 12 may be a reusable type medical device. The medical device 14 may be a catheter having one or more illumination devices (e.g., LEDs) and one or more visualization devices (e.g., cameras), such as a SpyScope® device manufactured and sold by Boston Scientific Corporation. The insertion device 12 and the medical device 14 can be physically and electronically coupled via a connection 16 formed by a connector 18 on the insertion device 12 and a connector 20 on the medical device 14, as shown in Figure 2.

[0021] The insertion device 12 may have a handle portion 22 and an insertion portion 24, which may be inserted into the body cavity of a subject during a medical procedure. The insertion portion 24 may be joined to the handle portion 22. A stress relief portion 26 may bridge the handle portion 22 and the insertion portion 24. An umbilicus 28 may extend from the handle portion 22, and another stress relief portion 30 may bridge the handle portion 16 and the umbilicus 28. As shown in Figure 3, the umbilicus 28 may be used to connect the insertion device 12 to components or main equipment such as a control unit (for providing optical control, including, for example, a camera, image, light, or other optical control), air and / or water supply and / or suction supply.

[0022] The handle portion 22 may include several components used by the operator to control the insertion device 12 before, during, or after a procedure involving the insertion device 12. For example, the handle portion 22 may include a steering component 32. The steering component 32 may be used to control the deflection of the distal portion (not shown) of the insertion portion 24. The steering component 32 may be part of a steering assembly. For example, the steering component 32 may include two knobs 34, 36 used to deflect the distal portion of the insertion portion 24. One of the knobs 34, 36 may be used to deflect the distal portion of the insertion portion 24 along a first axis, and the other of the knobs 34, 36 may be used to deflect the distal portion of the insertion portion 24 along a second axis that crosses the first axis. For example, knob 34 may be operable to deflect the distal portion of the insertion portion 20 in the left-right direction, and knob 36 may be operable to deflect the distal portion of the insertion portion 24 in the up-down direction. Although not shown, the steering component 32 may include one or more locking mechanisms that can be used to restrict the distal portion of the insertion portion 24 from moving in the left-right and / or up-down directions, or to lock the position of the distal portion of the insertion portion 24 in any other way.

[0023] The insertion device 12 may also include several ports and / or valves. For example, the handle portion 22 may include a working channel port 38 that can be used to pass one or more instruments or other devices (e.g., a part of the medical device 14) through the working channel of the insertion portion 24 to the distal end of the insertion device 12. The working channel port 38 may include a valve to prevent leakage. The insertion device 12 may also include fluid components such as valves 40, 42 to provide air, water, and / or suction. The valves 40, 42 may be connected to the tubes within the umbilicus 28, the handle portion 22, and / or the insertion portion 24, so that by pressing or operating the valves 40, 42 in other ways, the corresponding functions are enabled. For example, the valve 40 may be used to provide air and / or water through one or more lumens of the insertion portion 24, the valve 42 may be used to provide suction, and may be connected to one or more lumens of the insertion portion 24. Further, the insertion device 12 may include other components such as a lifting lever 44 that can be used to move up and / or down a lifting actuator (not shown) at the distal end of the insertion portion 24. For example, the lifting lever 44 may be used when the insertion device 12 is a duodenoscope.

[0024] Furthermore, the distal end of the insertion portion 24 may include one or more distal components 108 (FIG. 3), such as a lighting device (e.g., an LED), one or more visualization devices (e.g., a camera), etc. The one or more distal components 108 may be coupled to a controller 104 within the handle portion 22 of the insertion device 12 and a control unit 102.

[0025] The medical device 14 may include a handle portion 50 and an insertion portion 52. As shown in FIG. 1, the handle portion 50 may be coupled to the handle portion 22 of the insertion device 12 via the connection 16. The insertion portion 52 is inserted through the working channel port 38 and through the insertion portion 24 of the insertion device 12 such that during a medical procedure, the insertion portion 52 may extend distally beyond the distal tip of the insertion portion 24 and into the body of the subject. The insertion portion 52 may be joined to the handle portion 50. A stress relief portion 54 may bridge the handle portion 50 and the insertion portion 52.

[0026] The handle portion 50 may include several components used by an operator to control the insertion device 52 before, during, or after a procedure involving the insertion device 52. For example, the handle portion 50 may include a steering component 56. The steering component 56 may be used to control deflecting a distal portion (not shown) of the insertion portion 52. The steering component 56 may be part of a steering assembly. For example, the steering component 56 may include two knobs 58, 60 used to deflect a distal portion of the insertion portion 24. As discussed above with respect to the insertion device 12, one of the knobs 58, 60 may be used to deflect a distal portion of the insertion portion 52 along a first axis (e.g., a left-right direction), and the other of the knobs 58, 60 may be used to deflect a distal portion of the insertion portion 52 along a second axis (e.g., an up-down direction) transverse to the first axis. Although not shown, the steering component 56 may include one or more locking mechanisms used to limit movement of a distal portion of the insertion portion 52 so that it does not move in the left-right and / or up-down directions, or to lock the position of the distal portion of the insertion portion 52 in some other way. Although not shown, the medical device 14 may include several ports and / or valves.

[0027] Furthermore, the distal end of the insertion portion 52 may include one or more distal components 110 (Figure 3), such as a lighting device (e.g., an LED), one or more visualization devices (e.g., a camera), etc. One or more distal components 110 may be coupled to a controller 106 in the handle portion 50 of the medical device 14, a controller 104 in the handle portion 22 of the insertion device 12, and a control unit 102.

[0028] As described above, the insertion device 12 and the medical device 14 can be connected via a connection 16. The insertion device 12 includes a connector 18, and the medical device 14 includes a connector 20. The connector 18 may be positioned, for example, at an intermediate position on the handle portion 22, which is proximal to the stress relief portion 26 and distal to the steering component 32. Similarly, the connector 20 may be positioned, for example, at an intermediate position on the handle portion 50, which is proximal to the stress relief portion 54 and distal to the steering component 56. In one embodiment, the connector 18 may be a female connector and the connector 20 may be a male connector. In another embodiment, the connector 18 may be a male connector and the connector 20 may be a female connector.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the connector 18 of the insertion device 12 may include one or more movable doors 62 for forming a cover and a recessed port 64. One or more movable doors 62 may be pivotably coupled to the edge of the recessed port 64, for example, on both sides of the recessed port 64. One or more movable doors 62 may be biased to block the recessed port 64, but may be pivotable to expose the recessed port 64 or otherwise provide access to it. The movable doors 62 may provide intrusion protection for the recessed port 64 when the medical device 14 is not connected to the insertion device 12, for example, during different procedures, during positioning of the insertion device 12, or before a medical procedure. The recessed port 64 includes a connecting portion 66 which may include one or more pinholes 68. The connecting portion 66 may extend outward from the recessed port 64 to form one or more pinholes 68. The pinholes 68 may be electronically connected to the controller 104.

[0030] Although not shown, in other embodiments, the connector 18 of the insertion device 12 may include a peel-off or tear-off covering. For example, the peel-off or tear-off covering may be perforated or removed when the connector 20 of the medical device 14 is inserted into or otherwise coupled into the connector 18 of the insertion device 12. The peel-off or tear-off covering may be used in addition to or without the movable door 62. In this embodiment, the peel-off or tear-off covering may help protect the recessed port 64 or other components of the connector 20. Furthermore, the peel-off or tear-off covering may also help indicate whether the insertion device 12 has been previously coupled to and / or used with a medical device.

[0031] The connector 20 of the medical device 14 may include a connecting portion 70 containing one or more pins 72. The pins 72 may be electronically connected to the controller 106. One or more pins 72 may be configured to be received in corresponding pinholes 68 to form an electronic connection between the controller 104 and the controller 106. Furthermore, although eight pins 72 and eight pinholes 68 are shown in Figure 2, the disclosure is not limited in that way, as the connectors 20 and 18 may contain any number of pins, pinholes, or other connecting elements. In one embodiment, the connector 18 may include six pinholes 68, and the connector 20 may include six pins 72.

[0032] The connecting portion 70 may include one or more extension portions 74 that surround, but can be separated from, the pin 72. The extension portions 74 may extend further than the pin 72 from the handle portion 50 to protect the pin 72, for example, during coupling with the insertion device 12, and / or to help open the movable door 62 so that the pin 72 can be coupled to the pin hole 68. Furthermore, the extension portions 74 may be configured to abut against and surround the connecting portion 66 of the connector 18 on the insertion device. For example, coupling the connector 20 to the connector 18 may form a friction fit between the extension portion 74 and the connecting portion 66, physically coupling the medical device 14 to the insertion device 12.

[0033] In one embodiment, the amount of force required to sever connectors 18 and 20 may be greater (for example, about twice) than the force that may be applied to the insertion device 12 and medical device 14 during the medical procedure. Thus, connectors 18 and 20 can help ensure that, after the medical procedure is completed, if a part of the medical procedure requires or intends to require severance, the medical device 14 is only severed by the user or other medical professional from the insertion device 12.

[0034] Figure 2 and the above discussion disclose an insertion device 12 including a pinhole 68 and a medical device 14 including a pin 72, such that the medical device 14 is inserted into a socket in the insertion device 12, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the insertion device 12 may include a pin, and the medical device 14 may include a pinhole. Alternatively, the insertion device 12 and the medical device 14 may be physically and electronically connected via one or more other techniques. Furthermore, as discussed below with reference to Figure 4, the connectors 18 and 20 may include one or more morphs to help connect the medical device 14 to the insertion device 12 securely and releasably so that the connection is maintained during the operation of one or more of the insertion device 12 and the medical device 14 during a medical procedure.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, various components of the implantable device 12 and the medical device 14 can be coupled to form a control system 100. The control system 100 includes a control unit 102. The control unit 102 may be a main box (e.g., a main device) having one or more of the following: a user interface, a display, etc. The control unit 102 may be coupled to the implantable device 12 via an umbilicus 28. With the implantable device 12 and the medical device 14 coupled via the connection 16, the control unit 102 may deliver power to both the implantable device 12 and the medical device 14 and provide grounding via the umbilicus 28. Furthermore, the control unit 102 may also receive and transmit information and signals to and from both the implantable device 12 and the medical device 14 via the umbilicus 28 in order to perform bidirectional digital communication. For example, the control unit 102 may be coupled to a controller 104 within the implantable device 12 (e.g., within the handle portion 22). Furthermore, the control unit 102 may be coupled to a controller 106 within the medical device 14 (for example, within the handle portion 50). In this embodiment, the controller 106 may be coupled to the controller 104 via a connection 16 such that the controller 106 within the medical device 14 is indirectly coupled to the control unit 102 via a controller 104 within the insertion device 12. In other embodiments, one or more of the insertion device 12, the medical device 14, or the control unit 102 may provide or signal an indication that the insertion device 12 and the medical device 14 are compatible, or that one or more of the insertion device 12 and the medical device 14 are suitable for a medical procedure.

[0036] The control unit 102 can receive signals from the distal component 108 of the implantable device 12 and from the distal component 110 of the medical device 14. In one embodiment, the controller 104 may perform digital modulation to combine the video signals from the implantable device 12 and the video signals from the medical device 14 into a single transmission medium. For example, the umbilicus 28 may include a single coaxial cable. In this embodiment, the video signal from the implantable device 12 may be transmitted on one channel, and the video signal from the medical device 14 may be transmitted on another channel.

[0037] In one example, the control unit 102 may include an 8-pin connection to the umbilicus 28. Two pins may provide an interintegrated circuit for driving distal components 108 and 110 (e.g., LEDs). Four pins may provide two lines for high-speed signal communication, and two pins may provide power and ground. Thus, the interintegrated circuit, high-speed signal communication, power, and ground may connect the control unit 102 to the controller 104 in the insertion device 12. In one example, connectors 18 and 20 may include a 6-pin connection. In this embodiment, two pins may provide an interintegrated circuit for driving distal components 110 (e.g., LEDs) of the medical device 14. Two pins may carry clock or timing information and data, respectively, from, for example, an imaging unit at the distal end of the medical device 14. Finally, two pins may be dedicated to power and ground. In this embodiment, the controller 104 within the insertion device 12 may perform demodulation or compression procedures to enable information from both the insertion device 12 and the medical device 14 to be delivered to the control unit 102, while the control unit 102 may also provide information, power, grounding, etc., to both the insertion device 12 and the medical device 14.

[0038] Furthermore, digital modulation may utilize quadrature-amplitude modulation (QAM). For example, digital modulation may utilize a 64QAM carrier, which allows a single wave to represent 6 bits of data by manipulating the amplitude and phase of the wave to one of 64 different discrete states. Alternatively, digital modulation may include orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). OFDM may utilize multiple subcarriers to transmit information from a single source, which can reduce signal noise and provide high data rate throughput for broadband applications. In this embodiment, OFDM may allow one set of subcarriers to transmit information from the distal component 108 of the insertion device 12, and another set of subcarriers to transmit information from the distal component 110 of the medical device 14. Furthermore, other digital modulation or data compression techniques may be used. In any of these embodiments, digital modulation or data compression may help to combine the information signals from the insertion device 12 and the medical device 14, help to reduce the size required for the umbilicus 28 and the number of connection pins and / or components required to couple the umbilicus 28 to the controller 102, and thus reduce the complexity and / or cost of the umbilicus 28 and other components of the control system 100.

[0039] The above considerations include the fact that demodulation and / or compression are performed by the controller 104 of the implantable device 12, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in one embodiment, the controller 106 of the medical device 14 may demodulate and / or compress the signal from the distal component 110 of the medical device 14, and the controller 104 of the implantable device 12 may demodulate and / or compress the signal from the distal component 108 of the implantable device 12.

[0040] Figure 4 shows an exemplary locking mechanism 80 that may be used to releasably couple an exemplary connector 18A of an insertion device 12 to an exemplary connector 20A of a medical device 14. Note that the pins and pinholes discussed above are omitted in Figure 4 for clarity. The locking mechanism 80 may include two claws 82 extending away from the insertion device 12. The claws 82 may include a wide end portion 84 and an arm 86 connected to a handle portion 22 of the insertion device 12. Furthermore, the connector 20A of the medical device 14 may include a recess 90 that can be aligned with the wide end portion 84 to couple the connector 20A to the connector 18A.

[0041] To connect connector 20A to connector 18A, the connecting portion 70A of connector 20A may extend toward the handle portion 22 of the insertion device 12, for example toward the connecting portion 66A of connector 18A. The connecting portion 70A interacts with the broad end portion 84, causing the arm 86 to bend outward or curve. Further movement of the connecting portion 70A may cause the broad end portion 84 to align with the recess 90, and the arm 86 to return to their normal, relaxed, uncurved position. With the broad end portion 84 and the recess 90 aligned, the insertion device 12 and medical device 14 may be coupled in such a way that the force required to bend the arm 86 outward and remove the connecting portion 70A from the handle portion 22 of the insertion device 12 is greater than the force that may be applied to the insertion device 12 and medical device 14 during the medical procedure. The arm 86 and recess 90 may have a curved or angled shape, which may assist in connecting or disconnecting the medical device 14 and the insertion device 12. Furthermore, the arm 86 may be manually bent outward by the user to assist in connecting or disconnecting the medical device 14 and the insertion device 12. It should be understood that the medical system 10 may include any fastening mechanism for releasably attaching the insertion device 12 and the medical device 14, for example, including corresponding features for engagement / disengagement.

[0042] Although the locking mechanism 80 is shown as part of the insertion device 12, the disclosure is not limited in this way. For example, the locking mechanism may extend from the medical device 14 and be releasably fixed to a portion of the insertion device 12. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the locking mechanism may extend from both the insertion device 12 and the medical device 14, and these may be releasably fixed to portions of the medical device 14 and the insertion device 12, respectively. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the medical system 10 may include one or more other coupling features to releasably physically and electronically couple the medical device 14 to the insertion device 12.

[0043] Figure 5 is a flowchart representing an exemplary treatment method 500 for treating or visualizing a patient's body cavity. The method 500 includes a step 502 in which a user inserts or positions the insertion portion 24 of an insertion device 12 into the patient. Step 502 may include a preliminary step of coupling the insertion device 12 to a main instrument, such as a control unit 102, via an umbilicus 28. Step 502 also includes visualizing the internal portion of the patient using one or more distal components 108 (e.g., illumination and / or imaging devices) at the distal end of the insertion portion 24. Furthermore, step 502 may include maneuvering the insertion portion 24 via one or more steering components 32.

[0044] In step 504, the user may connect the handle portion 50 of the medical device 14 to the handle portion 22 of the insertion device 12. For example, the connector 20 or connector 20A of the medical device 14 may be connected to the connector 18 or connector 18A of the insertion device 12, respectively. Furthermore, connecting the medical device 14 to the insertion device 12 may include physically and electronically connecting the medical device 14 to the insertion device 12. As discussed above, the connection may be a friction fit (Figures 1 and 2), a morphologically shaped and biased engagement (Figure 4), or include another releaseable coupling mechanism.

[0045] In step 506, the insertion portion 52 of the medical device 12 may be inserted through the lumen of the insertion device 12. For example, the insertion portion 52 may be inserted through the port 38 in the handle portion 22 and through the insertion portion 24. In one embodiment, the insertion portion 52 of the medical device 12 may be delivered to a position aligned with the distal end of the insertion portion 24 of the insertion device 12. In another embodiment, the insertion portion 52 of the medical device 12 may be delivered to a position distal to the distal end of the insertion portion 24 of the insertion device 12. In this embodiment, the distal end of the insertion portion 52 may be controlled via the steering component 56. In either embodiment, the position of the distal end of the insertion portion 52 of the medical device 14 relative to the distal end of the insertion portion 22 of the insertion device 12 may be controlled via the position of the insertion portion 52 relative to the port 38. In other words, the distal end of the insertion portion 52 can be screwed into or distally inserted through the port 38 so as to extend toward the distal end of the insertion portion 22 of the insertion device 12. Alternatively, the insertion portion 52 can be retracted proximal to the port 38 so as to pull its distal end toward the distal end of the insertion portion 22 of the insertion device 12.

[0046] Next, step 508 may include visualizing and / or performing the procedure within the patient. Visualizing and / or performing the procedure may include visualizing, treating, and / or manipulating tissue or other material within the patient. For example, the user may utilize one of the distal components 108 of the insertion device 12 or the distal component 110 of the medical device 14 to illuminate and / or visualize internal parts of the patient. In one embodiment, the insertion portion 22 of the insertion device 12 may be used, for example, to access and / or visualize the papilla in step 502, and the insertion portion 52 of the medical device 14 may be extended, for example, to access and / or visualize the subject's bile duct in step 508. Furthermore, signals from the distal component 108 or distal component 110 may be transmitted to the control unit 102 through the umbilicus 28 for analysis, storage, display, etc. Furthermore, the insertion device 12 and / or medical device 14 may include one or more additional medical components (e.g., electrodes, grappling hooks, knives, etc.) for treating tissue or other material within the cavity.

[0047] The aforementioned embodiments may allow the medical device 14 to be directly coupled to the insertion device 12 to form a releaseable physical and electronic connection. As a result, the insertion device 12 may be coupled to the control unit 102 via the umbilicus 28 without the medical device 14 needing to be coupled to the control unit 102 or another control unit, thus reducing the number of cables or wires for the medical system 10. Doors 62 or other elements may help provide a hinged cover for intrusion protection for the connector 18 on the insertion device 12. The respective sizes and configurations of the connectors 18 and 20 may help form a friction coupling to secure the medical device 14 to the insertion device 12 via an integrated locking mechanism. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more of the insertion device 12 and medical devices 14 may include a locking mechanism 80, as discussed with reference to Figure 4.

[0048] One or more of the embodiments described above may allow the implantable device 12 and the medical device 14 to be powered via a single umbilicus 28, for example, by a single power source in a control unit 102. The control unit 102 may supply power to both the implantable device 12 and the medical device 14. The power may be sufficient to power lighting devices (e.g., LEDs), visualization devices (e.g., cameras), and other elements in both the implantable device 12 and the medical device 14. Furthermore, one or more of the embodiments described above may allow output signals, such as video outputs, from one or more distal components 108 on the implantable device 12 and distal components 110 on the medical device 14 to be output to the control unit 102 via a single umbilicus 28 and displayed, for example, on a monitor. Furthermore, one or more of the embodiments described above may allow the implantable device 12 and the medical device 14 to be securely and detachably coupled to each other without requiring additional coupling mechanisms. Therefore, the insertion device 12 and the medical device 14 can be configured to be powered and transmit information during medical procedures with fewer cables or wires, improving their usefulness during medical procedures. Furthermore, the insertion device 12 and the medical device 14 can be held together and / or manipulated without requiring additional coupling mechanisms.

[0049] The medical system 10, the control system 100, and the method 500 may be used to perform any of the above procedures without requiring additional umbilicus, wires, cables, etc., which may reduce overall procedure time, component costs, and / or risk to the subject.

[0050] This specification describes the principles of the disclosure with reference to exemplary embodiments for specific applications, but it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art who have access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, embodiments, and substitutes of equivalents that all fall within the scope of the embodiments described herein. Therefore, this disclosure should not be considered limited by the foregoing description.

Claims

1. An insertion device comprising a handle, an insertion portion having at least one lumen, a port fluid-coupled to the lumen, and a connecting portion, A medical device comprising a handle, an insertion portion, and a connecting portion configured to be coupled to the connecting portion of the insertion device, A medical system in which the connecting portion of the medical device is configured to be coupled to the connecting portion of the insertion device so as to form an electronic and physical connection between the insertion device and the medical device.

2. The medical system according to claim 1, wherein the insertion portion of the medical device is configured to be inserted into the insertion portion of the medical device through the port and the lumen.

3. The medical system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection portion of the insertion device includes a concave port and one or more doors for movably covering the concave port.

4. The medical system according to claim 3, wherein the connecting portion of the insertion device and the connecting portion of the medical device are configured to be joined together via friction fitting.

5. The medical system according to claim 4, wherein the connecting portion of the medical device includes one or more extensions extending from the medical device to open one or more doors and connect the medical device to the insertion device.

6. The medical system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting portion of the medical device includes a pin, and the connecting portion of the insertion device includes a pin hole.

7. The medical system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the connecting portion of the insertion device and the connecting portion of the medical device are coupled via a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising at least two claws having a wide end portion and a bendable arm.

8. The medical system according to claim 7, wherein the connector portion of the insertion device includes the wide end portion and the at least two claws having the bendable arms, and the connecting portion of the medical device includes a recess for receiving a portion of the wide end portion.

9. The medical system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a control unit, the control unit being physically and electronically coupled to the insertion device via an umbilicus.

10. The medical system according to claim 9, wherein the control unit delivers power to both the insertion device and the medical device through the umbilicus, powers one or more distal components on the distal end of the insertion portion of the insertion device, and powers one or more distal components on the distal end of the insertion portion of the medical device.

11. The medical system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the implantable device includes a controller for receiving signals from the distal components of the implantable device and from the distal components of the medical device.

12. The medical system according to claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to demodulate and / or compress the received signals from the distal component of the insertion device and from the distal component of the medical device.

13. The medical system according to claim 12, comprising demodulation and / or compression, including a 64QAM carrier or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing.

14. The medical system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the insertion device and the medical device are powered by a single umbilicus coupled to the insertion device.

15. The medical system according to claim 14, wherein the single umbilicus includes a single coaxial cable.

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