CATHETER AND CATHETER KIT INCLUDING SUCH CATHETER

Abstract

A catheter (10) configured to be inserted into a scoping device (12). The catheter comprises a body (30) having a distal end and a proximal end, and an insertion device (28). The body includes at least a first lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the first lumen being configured to receive at least one of a guide wire (24), a camera (52), an ablation device (54) and a probe device (56). The insertion device is connected to the body at the proximal end and includes a first passage for receiving the guide wire and a second passage for receiving one of the camera, the ablation device and the probe device. Some other embodiments provide a catheter kit.

Claims

1. A catheter configured to be inserted into a scoping device, comprising a body having a distal end and a proximal end, and an insertion device, wherein the body includes at least a first lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the first lumen being configured to receive at least one of a guide wire, a camera, an ablation device and a probe device, wherein the insertion device is connected to the body at the proximal end and includes a first passage for receiving the guide wire and a second passage for receiving one of the camera, the ablation device and the probe device, wherein the catheter further comprises a support device configured to be connected to a biopsy port of the scoping device, wherein the support device includes a support body configured to be connected to the biopsy port and a slider slidable with respect to the support body, wherein the proximal end of the body is fixed to the slider.

2. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein insertion device is rigid.

3. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the insertion device further includes a third passage for introducing a fluid into the body and a fourth passage for emitting the fluid from the body.

4. The catheter according claim 1, wherein the support device can be rotatably connected to the biopsy port.

5. (canceled)

5. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the support device further includes a locking device for releasably fixing the slider to the support body.

6. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the support device includes a locking means for releasably locking the guide wire.

7. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the support device further includes an orientating device for slidably supporting the guide wire in a longitudinal direction of the support device.

8. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the first passage, the second passage, the third passage and/or the fourth passage are in fluid communication with the first lumen.

9. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the body further includes a second lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the first passage is in communication with the first lumen and the second passage is in communication with the second lumen.

10. The catheter according to claim 3, wherein the body further includes a third lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end and/or a fourth lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein preferably the third passage is in fluid communication with the third lumen and/or the fourth passage is in fluid communication with the fourth lumen.

11. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein the body further includes a fifth lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein preferably the insertion device includes a fifth passage, and wherein further preferably the fifth passage is in communication with the fifth lumen.

12. The catheter according to claim 11, wherein the fifth lumen is configured to receive the camera and the second lumen is configured to receive the ablation device or the probe device.

13. The catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a radio marker arranged at the distal end of the body.

14. The catheter according to claim 1, further comprising a first electrode and/or a second electrode located on an outer surface of the body at the distal end.

15. The catheter according to claim 14, wherein the body includes a sixth lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end and a seventh lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein a first wire is arranged in the sixth lumen and connected to the first electrode and/or a second wire is arranged in the seventh lumen and connected to the second electrode.

16. The catheter according to claim 14, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode have a spiral shape.

17. A catheter kit, comprising a catheter, a guide wire, and one or more of the group including a camera, an ablation device and a probe device, wherein the catheter includes a body having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the body includes at least a first lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the first lumen being configured to receive at least one of the guide wire, the camera, the ablation device, and the probe device, wherein the catheter further comprises a support device configured to be connected to a biopsy port of the scoping device, wherein the support device includes a support body configured to be connected to the biopsy port and a slider slidable with respect to the support body, wherein the proximal end of the body is fixed to the slider.

18. The catheter kit according to claim 17, wherein the camera, the ablation device, and/or the probe device include a bulge and an elongated body, wherein preferably the elongated body includes a first section and a second section which can be visually differentiated from the first section and is positioned between the first section and the bulge, wherein further preferably a length of the first section is the same as a length of the body, and wherein further preferably the first section is more flexible than the second section.

19. A method for handling a catheter, wherein the catheter includes a body having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the body includes at least a first lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the catheter further comprises a support device configured to be connected to a biopsy port of a scoping device, wherein the support device includes a support body configured to be connected to the biopsy port and a slider slidable with respect to the support body, wherein the proximal end of the body is fixed to the slider, the method comprising the steps of inserting a guide wire into the lumen of the body at the proximal end, pushing the guide wire through the lumen until the guide wire protrudes from the distal end, sliding the body over the guide wire until the distal end of the body is located at a distal end of the guide wire, removing the guide wire from the lumen while the body is not moved, inserting one of a camera, an ablation device and a probe device into the lumen of the body at the proximal end, and pushing the one of the camera, the ablation device and the probe device through the lumen until a distal end of the one of the camera, the ablation device and the probe device protrudes from the distal end of the body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0101] Embodiments of the invention will be discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Therein,

[0102] FIG. 1a shows a catheter according to a first embodiment attached to a scoping device;

[0103] FIG. 1b shows a guide wire of the catheter of FIG. 1a protruding from a body of the catheter;

[0104] FIG. 1c shows the guide wire of FIG. 1b protruding from an insertion tube of the scoping device of FIG. 1a;

[0105] FIGS. 2a and 2b show the catheter as depicted in FIGS. 1a and 1b, respectively, wherein the guide wire is replaced by a camera;

[0106] FIGS. 3a and 3b show the catheter as depicted in FIGS. 1a and 1b, respectively, wherein the guide wire is replaced by a probe device;

[0107] FIGS. 4a and 4b show the catheter as depicted in FIGS. 1a and 1b, respectively, wherein the guide wire is replaced by an ablation device;

[0108] FIG. 5 shows a support device of the catheter of FIG. 1;

[0109] FIG. 6 shows a catheter kit in line with FIGS. 1 to 5;

[0110] FIG. 7 shows cross-sectional views of catheters according to the first embodiment having different sizes;

[0111] FIGS. 8a to 8c shows a catheter according to a second embodiment with different instruments arranged in the body of the catheter;

[0112] FIG. 9 shows the catheter according to the second embodiment attached to the scoping device;

[0113] FIG. 10 shows cross-sectional views of the catheter according to the second embodiment having different sizes;

[0114] FIGS. 11a to 11f show sketches how to handle the catheter according to the second embodiment;

[0115] FIG. 12 shows a distal end of the body of the catheter according to the second embodiment;

[0116] FIGS. 13a and 13b show a catheter according to a third embodiment with different instruments arranged in the body of the catheter;

[0117] FIG. 14 shows the catheter according to the third embodiment attached to the scoping device;

[0118] FIG. 15 shows cross-sectional views of the catheter according to the third embodiment having different sizes;

[0119] FIGS. 16a to 16f shows sketches how to handle the catheter according to the third embodiment; and

[0120] FIG. 17 shows a distal end of a body of a catheter according to a fourth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0121] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a catheter 10 attached to a scoping device 12, such as an endoscope which can be a duodenoscope commonly used in Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The catheter 10 and the scoping device 12 may also be employed in endoscopic lung surgery or endoscopic brain surgery

[0122] The scoping device 12 includes a handpiece 14, an insertion tube 16 (better visible in FIG. 1c), a biopsy port 18 and/or a further access port 20. The handpiece 14 may include levers, buttons and/or other actuation means for controlling the scoping device 12. In particular, a head 22 located at the distal end of the insertion tube 16 may be controlled by using the handpiece 14. The head 22 may include mechanisms and/or components common to duodenoscopes such as means for opening and closing an opening within the head 22 such that the catheter 10 may exit the head 22 through the opening.

[0123] The insertion tube 16 may include one or more channels which are not visible in the figures. For example, the insertion tube 16 may include a work channel which is connected to the biopsy port 18 (can also be called work port). Another channel may be connected to the access port 20. These channels may be used for advancing instruments and/or fluids to one or more openings in the head 22. In particular, the catheter 10 may be inserted into the work channel via the biopsy port 18. What is more, the catheter 10 may exit the scoping device 12 at the head 22 (as depicted in FIG. 1c; there, only a guide wire 24 of the catheter 12 is depicted) in order to treat, examine and/or analyse a cavity within a human body.

[0124] The catheter 10 includes a support device 26, an insertion device 28 and a body 30 having a distal end and a proximal end. The insertion device 28 is attached to the proximal end of the body 30. The insertion device 28 and the body 30 may be attached to the scoping device 12 by means of the support device 26. In particular, the catheter 10 is attached to the biopsy port 18 by means of the support device 26. Preferably, the support device 26 is releasably attachable to the scoping device 12. Furthermore, the support device 26 may be rotatably attached to the biopsy port 18 such that the support device 26 can rotate around an axis defining a longitudinal direction which coincides with the elongated structure of the support device 26.

[0125] The support device 26 includes a support body 32 and a slider 34 which can slide relative to the support body 32 in the longitudinal direction of the support device 26. The slider 34 is fixedly attached to the insertion device 28 such that the insertion device 28 can be slid in the longitudinal direction by means of the slider 34.

[0126] The support body 32 may include a channel 36 in which the slider 34 can slide. One side of the channel 36 is open and another side of the channel 36 may include a slit 38 (see FIG. 5). A screw 40 may extend through the slit 38 and can be screwed into a thread in the slider 34. By tightening the screw 40 into the slider 34, the slider 34 may be releasably fixed to the support body 32. The slit 38 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction. At the same time, the slit 38 and the screw 40 provide a slidable attachment of the slider 34 to the support body 32. The assembly including the slider 34, the slit 38 and the screw 40 may be regarded a locking device 42.

[0127] The insertion device 28 includes a first passage 44 (see FIG. 5) and a second passage 46. Optionally, the insertion device 28 further includes a third passage 48 and a fourth passage 50. The insertion device 28 may be made from a rigid material, in particular a rigid plastic material.

[0128] The first passage 44, the second passage 46, the third passage 48 and/or the fourth passage 50 may terminate in a common passage 51 which can be connected to the body 30 of the catheter 10. Alternatively, the first passage 44, the second passage 46, the third passage 48 and/or the fourth passage 50 may be directly connected to the body 30. The common passage 51 may also be made from a rigid material and can be fixedly attached to the slider 34.

[0129] The first passage 44 is provided for facilitating the insertion of the guide wire 24 into the body 30. The first passage 44 may include a funnel at its entrance port (see FIG. 5) which simplifies the insertion of the guide wire 24. The second passage 46 is provided for facilitating the insertion of a camera 52 (see FIG. 2a), an ablation device 54 (see FIG. 2b), and/or a probe device 56 (see FIG. 2c) into the body 30. In particular, an elongated body 58 of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and/or the probe device 56 is inserted into the body 30.

[0130] The body 30 includes a first lumen 60 which extends between the proximal end and the distal end of the body 30. The first lumen 60 is open at the proximal end and at the distal end of the body 30. As better visible in FIG. 7, the body 30 includes an outer shell 62 and an inner material structure 64. The inner material structure 64 defines the first lumen 60, i.e. the first lumen 60 is a hole which extends through the inner material structure 64 from the distal end to the proximal end.

[0131] The outer shell 62 may be heat-shrunk onto the inner material structure 64 which can be manufactured by extrusion. The body 30 is flexible such that both the outer shell 62 and the inner material structure 64 are made from flexible materials. An inner surface of the inner material structure 64 defining the first lumen 60 may be lubricated for reducing the friction between the elongated body 58 and the inner material structure 64.

[0132] The outer diameter of the body 30 and the inner diameter of the inner material structure 64 (corresponding to the diameter of the first lumen 60) may have the dimensions in millimetre as depicted in FIG. 7. The different diameters allow to house elongated bodies 58 having different outer diameters. The outer diameter of the elongated body 58 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner material structure 64 allowing for a clearance gap. The outer diameter of the elongated body 58 of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and/or the probe device 56 varies between 1 mm and 2 mm depending on the respective device and the respective type thereof. The outer diameter of the guide wire 24 is significantly smaller than the outer diameter of the elongated body 58 (see FIGS. 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b)

[0133] A catheter kit may include the guide wire 24, the catheter 10, for example as described above, and one or more of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 (see FIG. 6). The camera 52, the ablation device 54 and/or the probe device 56 may include a bulge 66 and the elongated body 58. The bulge 66 may be a connector, for example for connecting the ablation device 54 to a frequency generator and/or for connecting the probe device to an analysis device and/or a light source. In case of the camera 52, the bulge 66 may not be configured as a connector but as a part of the elongated body 58 of the camera 52 having an increased diameter. In particular, the elongated body 58 extends from the distal end to an analysis device and/or display device of the camera 52.

[0134] The bulge 66 may have an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the second passage 46. Thus, the bulge 66 may act as a stopper such that the elongated body 58 cannot further be inserted into the body 30. The length of the elongated body 58 between the distal end and the bulge 66 may be longer than the length of the body 30. The difference in the length of the elongated body 58 and the body 30 determines how far the elongated body 58 can be pushed out of the distal end of the body 30.

[0135] The elongated body 58 may include a first section 68 (visible in FIGS. 2b, 3b, and 4b) and a second section 70 which is arranged between the first section 68 and the bulge 66. The first section 68 preferably is flexible, while the second section 70 is rigid such that the second section 70 is less inclined to bend in comparison to the first section 68. The second section 70 may be made from a material different to the one of the first section 68. Alternatively, the first section 68 and the second section 70 are made from the same material while the second section 70 includes a sleeve made from a rigid material. The rigid sleeve may be incorporated into the second section 70 and/or arranged on its outer surface.

[0136] The rigidity of the second section 70 in conjunction with the rigidity of the insertion device 28 allows that the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and/or the probe device 56 protrude from the second passage 46 as depicted in FIGS. 2a, 3a and 4a. This means the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and/or the probe device 56 do not bend after exiting the second passage 46. This arrangement simplifies gripping the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and/or the probe device 56 since these devices 52, 54, 56 do not swing after exiting the second passage 46. What is more, the rigidity of the insertion device 28 and of the second section 70 provide support for holding the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and/or the probe device 56.

[0137] The second section 70 may have a visual appearance that differs from the visual appearance of the first section 68 such that a user can differentiate between the first section 68 and the second section 70. For example, the first section 68 and a second section 70 may have different colours and/or different surface characteristics. For example, the difference in the visual appearance may be constituted by the rigid sleeve. The length of the first section 68 may be chosen such that, when the first section 68 is completely inserted into the second passage 46 (i.e. it can be no longer seen), the distal end of the first section 68 coincides with the distal end of the body. The difference in the visual appearance of the first section 68 and the second section 70 may be used to position the distal end of the elongated body 58 at the distal end of the body 30.

[0138] The second section 70 may also include markers, labels and/or scales which indicate how far the elongated body 58 protrudes from the distal end of the body 30. The markers, labels and/or scales may be printed onto the second section 70 and/or can be constituted by one or more protrusions and/or recesses arranged on the outer surface of the second section 70.

[0139] The support device 26 may include a locking means 72 and an orientating device 74. The locking means 72 may allow to releasably fix the guide wire 24 with respect to the support device 26, for example by clamping the guide wire 24 to the support device 26. Optionally, the locking means 72 includes a flap 76 which is foldably attached to the support device 26, in particular to the support body 32. The flap 76 may include an elongated slit through which the guide wire 24 can be passed through. Depending on the position of the guide wire 24 in the elongated slit and on the orientation of the flap 76 with regard to the support device 26, the guide wire 24 can be clamped or released. However, other means for clamping and/or releasably fixing the guide wire 24 to the support device 26 are possible.

[0140] Similar to the rigid second section 70, the guide wire 24 can be supported after exiting the first passage 44 by the orientating device 74. The orientating device 74 may include a central opening 78 and/or a labyrinth shaped slit 80 (see FIG. 5). The central opening 78 may be oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction and, in particular, extends coaxial to the first passage 44. The central opening 78 may be arranged on a side of the channel 36 which opposes that side of the channel through which the body 30 enters the channel 36. Preferably, the central opening 78 is configured as a channel i.e. it extends in the longitudinal direction over a certain length such that the central opening 78 provides support to the guide wire 24 and, in particular, helps to maintain the orientation of the guide wire 24 parallel to the first passage 44.

[0141] The optional labyrinth shaped slit 80 allows insertion of the guide wire 24 to the central opening 78. In particular, the labyrinth shaped slit 80 provides a passage between the central opening 78 and the surroundings of the support device 26. Thus, the labyrinth shaped slit 80 allows insertion of the guide wire 24 while providing sufficient support that the guide wire 24 remains in the central opening 78.

[0142] The slit 38 may be positioned on that side surface of the support device 26 into which the labyrinth shaped slit 80 terminates, i.e. is open to the surrounding. This allows that the guide wire 24 is inserted into the first passage 44 through the slit 38 and then inserted into the central opening 78 by means of the labyrinth shaped slit 80.

[0143] A method of handling the catheter 10 and/the catheter kit is described in the following. The body 30 is inserted into the work channel of the insertion tube 16 via the biopsy port 18. When the distal end of the body 30 reaches the head 22 of the insertion tube 16, the support device 26 is attached to the biopsy port 18 of the scoping device 12. At this point, the slider 34 is positioned away from the biopsy port 18 as depicted in FIG. 1a.

[0144] Then, the guide wire 24 is inserted into the first passage 44 and advanced to the distal end of the body 30. At the same time, the guide wire 24 may be arranged within the central opening 78. Alternatively, the guide wire 24 is inserted into the body 30 (i.e. the first lumen 60) prior to the insertion of the body 30 into the insertion tube 16.

[0145] The guide wire 24 is then pushed out of the distal end of the body 30 and, thus, out of the head 22 as depicted in FIGS. 1b and 1c. The distal end of the guide wire 24 can then be positioned at the desired location by using the insertion tube 16. The position of the guide wire 24 in the longitudinal direction is locked or fixed by means of the locking means 72. Then, the body 30 is slit over the guide wire 24 by moving the slider 34 from its position as depicted in FIG. 1a to the position as depicted in FIGS. 2a, 3a, 4a and 6 i.e. from the position away from the biopsy port 18 towards the biopsy port 18. This sliding movement of the body 30 over the guide wire 24 is possible since the guide wire 24 is fixed with respect to the support body 32 while the slider 34 and, thus, the body 30 is moved with respect to the support body 32. As a consequence, the distal end of the guide wire 24 and a distal end of the body 30 are located at the same position.

[0146] After unlocking the guide wire 24, the guide wire 24 is then removed from the body such that the first lumen 60 is empty. However, the distal end of the body 30 remains in the desired location since the body 30 is not moved with respect to the guide wire 24.

[0147] Then, one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 is inserted into the first lumen 60 via the second passage 46. These devices 52, 54, 56 are pushed into the body 30 until the distal end of the elongated body 58 is located at the same position at the distal end of the body 30. This can be checked by using the visual difference between the first section 68 and the second section 70. As the distal end of the body 30 is arranged at the desired position, the distal end of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 or the probe device 56 is also positioned at the desired location. Depending on the action to be performed, the distal end of the elongated body 58 may be pushed out of the distal end of the body 30 (as depicted in FIGS. 2a, 3a, and 4a) by pushing the elongated body 58 further into the second passage 56 or by retracting the body 30 by means of the slider 34 and simultaneously pushing the elongated body 58 into the second passage 56 by the same amount with which the body 30 is retracted. The latter means the distal end of the elongated body 58 remains at the desired location while the distal end of the body 30 is retracted away from the desired location.

[0148] The last step may be repeated by another one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56. In this way, the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 can be used at the desired location one after the other. The arrangement of each one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 in the first lumen 60 is depicted in FIGS. 2b, 3b, and 4b.

[0149] To irrigate the desired location, the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 may be removed from the first lumen 60. Then, fluid is pumped to the desired location via the third passage 48 and then sucked from the desired location via the fourth passage 50. For example, the third passage 48 is connected to a fluid pump while the fourth passage 50 is connected to a suction source.

[0150] FIGS. 8 to 11 refer to a second embodiment. The second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except the following differences. Thus, the description of the first embodiment equally applies to the second embodiment except for explicitly mentioned differences.

[0151] As visible in FIGS. 8a to 8c and 10, the body 30 includes a second lumen 82. Optionally, the body 30 further includes a third lumen 84 and a fourth lumen 86. In this embodiment, the first lumen 60 is in communication with the first passage 44 while the second lumen 82 is in communication with the second passage 46. Thus, as depicted in FIGS. 8a to 8c, 9 and 11b, the guide wire 24 and one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 may be simultaneously arranged within the body 30. That is, the guide wire 24 is arranged within the first lumen 60 while one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 is arranged in the second lumen 82.

[0152] The third lumen 84 may be in fluid communication with the third passage 48 while the fourth lumen 86 is in fluid communication with the fourth passage 50. The third lumen 84 and the fourth lumen 86 allowed to simultaneously pump fluid into the cavity within the body and suck the fluid out of the cavity while the guide wire 24 as well as one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 is arranged in the cavity. This allows irrigation of the cavity while simultaneously operating one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56.

[0153] As depicted in FIG. 10, the first lumen 60, the second lumen 82, the third lumen 84 and/or the fourth lumen 86 may be defined by the outer shell 62 and the inner material structure 64 (see first lumen 60 and second lumen 82) and/or by the inner material structure 64 alone (see third lumen 84 and fourth lumen 86). The first lumen 60 and/or the second lumen 82 may be provided with a liner tube 88 which may contribute to the reduction of the friction between the body 30 and one of the guide wire 24, camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56.

[0154] Examples of the diameters of the first lumen 60, the second lumen 82, the third lumen 84, the fourth lumen 86 and/or the body in millimetre can be gathered from FIG. 10.

[0155] Optionally, the liner tube 88 of the first lumen 60 may protrude from the proximal end of the body 30 and extends into the first passage 44. Similarly, the liner tube 88 of the second lumen 82 may protrude from the proximal end of the body 30 and may extend into the second passage 46. Such a configuration helps to provide the communication of the first passage 44 with the first lumen 60 and/or the second passage 46 with the second lumen 82. Additionally, the first lumen 60 and the second lumen 82 are sealed from the fluid in the third passage 48 and fourth passage 50 in the common passage 51 of the insertion device 28.

[0156] A method for handling the catheter 10 and/or the catheter kit according to the second embodiment is similar to the one of the first embodiment except for the following differences.

[0157] The guide wire 24 and one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 can be positioned within the body 30 at the same time due to the provision of the first lumen 60 and the second lumen 82. In short, the guide wire 24 as well as one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 are arranged within the body 30 such that their distal end coincides with the distal end of the body 30. At the same time, the slider 34 is arranged in a position away from the biopsy port as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 11c. Then, as depicted in FIGS. 11a and 11b, the guide wire 24 is pushed out of the distal end of the body 30 and is positioned at the desired location using the head 22. The guide wire 24 is then locked using the locking means 72.

[0158] As depicted in FIGS. 11c and 11d, the slider 34 is then pushed towards the biopsy port 18 such that the body 30 is slid over the guide wire 24. As one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 is arranged within the body 30 and the body 30 is fixed to the insertion device 28, one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 is simultaneously moved with the body 30 such that, by moving the slider 34, both the distal end of the body 30 and the distal end of the elongated body 58 of one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 are positioned at the distal end of the guide wire 24 and, thus, at the desired location.

[0159] As depicted in FIG. 11e, the guide wire 24 is pulled back i.e. further into the first lumen 60, and the slider 34 is pushed towards the biopsy port 18 such that the distal end of the elongated body 58 of one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 protrudes from the distal end of the body 30 (see FIG. 11f). At the same time, the slider 34 may be moved away from the biopsy port 18 such that the distal end of the body 30 is retracted a bit ending up in the situation as depicted in FIG. 11.

[0160] By removing one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 of the body 30 and inserting another one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 into the second lumen 82, these devices 52, 54, 56 may be employed at the desired location one after the other. The arrangement of each one of the camera 52, the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 in the second lumen 82 is depicted in FIGS. 8a to 8c.

[0161] FIGS. 13 to 16 refer to a third embodiment. The third embodiment is identical to the first and/or the second embodiment except the following differences. Thus, the description of the first and/or second embodiment equally applies to the third embodiment except for explicitly mentioned differences.

[0162] The body 30 according to the third embodiment additionally includes a fifth lumen 90 (see FIGS. 13a, 13b and 15). The fifth lumen 90 is shaped to receive the elongated body 58 of the camera 52. The diameter of the elongated body 58 of the camera 52 can be smaller than the diameter of the elongated body 52 of the ablation device 54 and of the probe device 56. In particular, the diameter of the elongated body 58 of the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 may be similar. Thus, the provision of the fifth lumen 90 allows to separately house the camera 52 while providing a lumen (in particular the second lumen 82) for receiving the elongated body 58 of the ablation device 54 or the probe device 56. Thus, it is possible to simultaneously operate the camera 52 and one of the ablation device 52 and the probe device 56.

[0163] The elongated body 58 of the camera 52 may be fixed within the fifth lumen 90. In this case, no clearance gap between the elongated body 58 of the camera 52 and the inner material structure 64 defining the fifth lumen 90 may be provided. Alternatively, the elongated body 58 of the camera 52 may be slidable within the fifth lumen 90 as described above in conjunction with the second lumen 82.

[0164] In the embodiment that the camera 52 is fixed to the body 30, the fifth lumen 90 may not be provided with a liner tube 88 as depicted in FIG. 15. The diameters of the body and the second lumen 82 in millimetre are also depicted in FIG. 15.

[0165] As depicted in FIG. 14, the insertion device 28 includes a fifth passage 92 for receiving the elongated body 58 of the camera 52. This allows to simultaneously insert one of the ablation device 52 and the probe device 56 on the one hand and the camera 52 on the other hand. The fifth passage 92 may be arranged at the same position in the longitudinal direction as the second passage 46. The fifth passage 92 may also be inclined to the common passage 51 and/or the first passage 44, preferably by the same angle as the second passage 46.

[0166] The body 30 may include a radio marker 94 at its distal end. In the embodiment shown, the radio marker 94 includes two metal rings arranged spaced apart from each other. The radio marker 94 may have an absorption of x-rays different to the surrounding tissue and/or other parts of the catheter 10 such that the distal end of the body 30 can be easily recognised in X-ray images or in computed tomography (CT) images. The radio marker 94 may have different shapes and configurations and/or may be provided with the other embodiments disclosed herein. In addition, although not depicted in the figures, the radio marker 94 may be provided with the catheter 10 according to the first and second embodiment.

[0167] A method for handling the catheter 10 and/or the catheter kit according to the third embodiment is similar to the one of the first and/or the second embodiments except for the following differences.

[0168] FIGS. 16a to 16f depict steps in the method for handling the catheter 10 and/or the catheter kit. At the beginning as depicted in FIG. 16a, the guide wire 24, the camera 52 and one of the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 are inserted into the body such that their distal ends are located at the distal end of the body 30. As depicted in FIG. 16b, the guide wire 24 is pushed such that it distal end protrudes from the distal end of the body 30. At this point, the distal end of the guide wire 24 is positioned at the desired location. Then, the guide wire 24 is locked with regard to the support device 26 by means of the locking means 72.

[0169] As depicted in FIG. 16c, the insertion device 28 is moved towards the biopsy port 18 by sliding the slider 32 within the channel 36. As the guide wire 24 is fixed with respect to the support body 32, the body 30 along with the elongated bodies 58 of the camera 52 and one of the ablation device 52 and the probe device 56 are slid over the guide wire 24. This results in that the distal ends of all of the guide wire 24, the body 30, the camera 52 and one of the ablation device 52 and the probe device 56 are located at the same position, namely at this desired location. Then, one of the ablation device 52 and the probe device 56 may be pushed out of the distal end of the body 30 by moving the bulge 66 towards the second passage 46 i.e. by pushing the elongated body 58 of one of the ablation device 52 and the probe device 56 through the second lumen 82 (see FIG. 16d).

[0170] If the other one of the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 is intended to be used at the desired location, the one of the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 is removed from the second lumen 82 and the other one of the ablation device 54 and the probe device 56 is inserted into the second lumen 82 via the second passage 46 (see FIGS. 16e and 16f). The arrangement of the ablation device 54 or the probe device 56 in the second lumen 82 is depicted in FIGS. 13 and 13b.

[0171] FIG. 17 refers to a fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment is identical to the first to third embodiments except the following differences. Thus, the description of the first to third embodiments equally applies to the fourth embodiment except for explicitly mentioned differences.

[0172] The body 30 of this embodiment may include a first electrode 96 and/or a second electrode 98 which are arranged at the distal end of the body 30. The electrodes 96, 98 may be alternatively or additionally provided to the radio marker 94. In the depicted embodiment, the first electrode 96 and a second electrode 98 have this shape of a helix which extends around the outer shell 62 of the body 30. The two helices of the first electrode 96 and the second electrode 98, respectively, are intertwined such that, along an arbitrary line along the extension of the body 30, a section of the first electrode 96 is positioned between two sections of the second electrode 98 and vice versa.

[0173] The first electrode 96 and/or the second electrode 98 may protrude from the outer shell 62. It is also possible that the outer shell 62 includes a recess in which the first electrode 96 and/or the second electrode 98 are arranged. The outer shell 62 is preferably made from an electrically insulating material such that the first electrode 96 is electrically insulated from the second electrode 98.

[0174] The body 30 may further include a sixth lumen 100 and/or a seventh lumen 102 which extend from the proximal end to the distal end of the body 30. A first wire may be arranged within the sixth lumen 100 and/or a second wire may be arranged within the seventh lumen 102 (not visible in the figures). The first wire may be connected to the first electrode 96 and/or the second wire may be connected to the second electrode 98. The first wire and/or the second wire may extend beyond the proximal end of the body 30 to be connected to an electrical energy source such as a radio frequency generator. Thus, the first electrode 96 and the second electrode 98 may be provided for cutting tissue using a radio frequency electrical field between the electrodes 96 and 98. As indicated above, only one electrode and only one lumen for housing one wire may be provided with the body 30.

[0175] The distal end of the sixth lumen 100 and/or of the seventh lumen 102 may be closed at the distal end such that no fluid may enter into the sixth lumen 100 and/or the seventh lumen 102.

[0176] A method for handling the catheter 10 and/or the catheter kit according to the fourth embodiment is similar to the one of the first to third embodiments except tissue may be cut by means of the first electrode 96 and/or the second electrode 98.