Endomicroscopic device

Abstract

An endomicroscopic device, which, in microsurgical operations, enables the deep surgical sites that cannot be seen from a certain angle to become visible. The endomicroscopic device includes a light source to illuminate the surgical site, a microscope lens for taking and magnifying an image of a tissue at the surgical site, a pair of binocular eyepieces for projecting the image to eyes of the surgeon, an endoscopic probe for displaying blind areas outside of a field of view of the at least one microscope lens from different angles in a periscopic manner, an endoscopic probe outlet, and a distal portion located at an end of the endoscopic probe. The distal portion is flexible and can be angled to be directed to different areas, and provides a second periscopic image.

Claims

1. An endomicroscopic device, comprising: a microscope having a bottom side and an outlet in the bottom side, at least one microscope lens for taking and magnifying an image of a surgical site from the bottom side, a pair of binocular eyepieces for projecting the image to eyes of a surgeon, at least one light source located with the lens to illuminate the surgical site, at least one periscopic display system integrated with the microscope, the periscopic display system configured to selectively display to the surgeon by way of the eyepieces an endoscopic image of blind areas outside of a field of view of the at least one microscope lens from different angles in a periscopic manner, the periscopic display system has a button-actuated periscopic endoscopic probe having a flexible terminal end configured for controlled movement, including bending at an angle, out of an outlet formed in the bottom side of the microscope through a pathway to the surgery site.

2. The endomicroscopic device according to claim 1, wherein the endomicroscopic device is configured to view recesses in a deep brain tissue from different angles in brain surgeries performed by microsurgery.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The “endomicroscopic device” developed to fulfill the objectives of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying FIGURE, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is the view of the endomicroscopic device of the present invention.

(3) The components shown in the figures are each given reference numbers as follows: 1. Endomicroscopic device 2. Light source 3. Microscope lens 4. Binocular eyepiece 5. Endoscopic probe 6. Endoscopic probe outlet 7. Distal portion

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(4) The endomicroscopic device (1) of the present invention essentially comprises at least one light source (2) which is located at the part facing the surgical site and which enables to illuminate the surgical site, at least one microscope lens (3) which takes and magnifies the image of the tissue at the surgical site, a pair of binocular eyepieces (4) that projects the taken image to the eyes of the surgeon, at least one endoscopic probe (5) which is movable and can display the blind areas that are outside of the field of view of the microscope lens (3) from different angles in a periscopic manner, at least one endoscopic probe outlet (6), at least one distal portion (7), which is located at the end of the endoscopic probe (5), and which is flexible and can be angled to be directed to different areas, and provides a second periscopic image.

(5) The endomicroscopic device (1) of the present invention is used in order to view the recesses in the deep brain tissue from different angles in brain surgeries performed by microsurgery.

(6) By means of the device of the present invention, the surgeon will be able to practically reach the deep brain tissue, and upon continuing with the surgery, s/he will be able to insert the periscopic endoscopic probe, which comes out of the microscope base with a single button under the microscopic lens image, along the trace through which it passes to the surgery site. When the surgeon inserts the periscopic endoscopic probe to the depths under the lens image, s/he will be able to switch to endoscopic view again by a single button and perform operation on the blind areas, which are not covered by the microscope, with two hands under this view by using the desired microsurgical instruments. The flexible movement ability that can be provided to the periscopic endoscopic probe will provide the opportunity of viewing the recesses from different angles upon being operated via a single button.

(7) The surgeon will be able switch between the microscope lens image and periscopic endoscopic probe image via a single button or a multiple function button. Such a device will carry the surgical operations performed in neurosurgery one step forward. For example, a surgeon who reaches the 3.sup.rd ventricle anterior by microsurgery via anterior interhemispheric route will be able to access the 3.sup.rd ventricle posterior as well by means of the periscopic probe; or a surgeon, who reaches cerebellopontine cisterna via retrosigmoid approach, will be able to access lateral and anterior brainstem (pons, medulla oblongata) when s/he inserts the periscopic probe.

(8) By means of the present invention, additional possibilities will come to the fore for approaching the anatomic area in brain surgery, and the morbidity and mortality risks of the patient will be directly reduced by many advantages such as removal of a larger part of the lesion more safely, and visibility of an anatomic area which could not be viewed from a certain angle. Thus, operability success of the patient will increase directly.

(9) The device of the present invention will be able to be used at classical endoscopic head base and also in spinal surgery, and can be an alternative to the endoscopic surgery used currently at these sites with more different advantages.

(10) The endomicroscopic device of the present invention is also an extremely suitable device for robotic surgery whose use in neurosurgery and spinal surgery may be brought to the agenda. If the same device is used with the multiple (more than 2) robotic arms controlled by the surgeon, it will perform all the operations that will be performed by the surgeon bimanually, and will also provide an opportunity of safer and more practical use. Thus, this device is also a suitable device that can be devised for a robotic system.

(11) As a conclusion, this device enables both to apply the current surgical methods which have been experienced for years, and to use the surgical instruments portfolio, which has been produced from the past to present. It is also advantageous in terms of cost; and it is a device which provides serious technical solutions and gives way to innovations in neurosurgery. It is an assertive device which can also be used in robotic neurosurgery.

(12) Even though a technical drawing has been provided for the endomicroscopic model, the device can be modified maintaining the basic principle. The important point in the present invention is that, under a system such as a microscope, which transfers image outside of the tissue, there is provided a second periscopic display system taking images from the depths of the tissue, and that the two systems support each other in practice. Modifications can be made maintaining the basic logic of the invention.