A DEVICE FOR VISUALIZATION OF INTERNAL TISSUE OF A PATIENT

Abstract

A device for visualization of internal tissue of a patient's uterus, the device including a hand-held control unit, an elongated member, and an image capturing tip. To provide better light conditions, to reduce heat generation and related problems with excessive heating and to improve the ergonomic conditions, a device including an illumination structure having at least a first and a second optical fibre is provided.

Claims

1. A device for visualization of internal tissue, the device comprising a hand-held control unit, an elongated member, an illumination structure, and an image capturing tip, the control unit being dimensioned to be held by a user's hand, the elongated member having a proximal end connected to the hand-held control unit and a distal end connected to the image capturing tip, wherein the illumination structure comprises a light emitting diode (LED) housed in the control unit, and at least a first optical fibre and a second optical fibre, each of the first optical fibre and the second optical fibre extending along the elongated member and forming a releasing fibre end at the image capturing tip and a receiving fibre end at the control unit, the receiving fibre end being in communication with the LED in a light interface in the control unit, wherein the elongated member comprises an inner tube and an outer tube, the outer tube being fixed to a flange of a body of the image capturing tip, the inner tube being rotationally suspended to a bearing structure of the body of the image capturing tip, and the first and second optical fibres extending between the flange and the bearing structure.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the optical fibres form an over-length exceeding the distance between the LED and the image capturing tip.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the over-length forms a slack-loop in the control unit.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the image capturing tip comprises a charged coupled device, and wherein the CCD and the releasing fibre ends are arranged in a row extending in a row direction with the releasing fibre ends on opposite sides of the CCD.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the elongated member forms a working channel extending from an entrance in the proximal end to an exit in the distal end, and wherein the exit is shifted relative to the row in a direction perpendicular to the row direction.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the light interface comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) defining an area of metal exposed on an essentially planar surface of the PCB and the LED being connected to the area to lead heat away from the LED.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the light interface comprises an interface element, the first optical fibre and the second optical fibre extending through the interface element from an inner surface to an outer surface of the interface element.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the interface element is fixed to the PCB with the inner surface in direct contact with the PCB.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the interface element is attached in direct contact with the area of metal.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein the interface element comprises a first through hole and a second through hole, the first optical fibre being fixed in the first through hole and the second optical fibre being fixed in the second through hole.

11. The device according to claim 7, wherein the interface element comprises one single through hole, and wherein the first optical fibre and the second optical fibre are fixed in the single through hole.

12. The device according to claim 7, wherein the inner surface of the interface element comprises a recess and the LED extends into the recess.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the elongated member and the first and second optical fibres are covered by a polymer hose.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the elongated member forms a straight portion extending along a straight axis and a curved portion forming a curvature away from the straight axis, the curved portion being between the image capturing tip and the straight portion, the inner tube being rotational in the outer tube and comprising a rigid inner section axially coextending a flexible outer section of the outer tube, the rigid inner section having a curvature which forms the curvature of the curved portion by deflection of the flexible outer section, and wherein the first and second optical fibres are located outside the inner tube and with no direct contact to the surface of the inner tube.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the first and second optical fibres are located outside the outer tube.

16. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an internal tissue visualization device;

[0053] FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c illustrate different embodiments of the distal end of the elongated member;

[0054] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate internal components in the control unit;

[0055] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate details of the light interface and PCB; and

[0056] FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative location of the releasing fibre ends.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0057] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0058] In the following, embodiments of the invention will be described in further details with reference to the drawing in which:

[0059] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an internal tissue visualization device according to the invention. In FIG. 1, a tool inserted in the working channel;

[0060] The tissue visualization device 1 comprises an image capturing structure configured to capture pictures of tissue.

[0061] The device 1 comprises a hand-held control unit 2 and an elongated member 3 connected to the control unit 2. The elongated member extends from a proximal end 4 to a distal end 5. The distal end forms curved portion with an angle of 20 degrees to the straight axis. The curved portion 9 is between the straight portion 8 and the image capturing tip 10. The image capturing tip comprises a CCD which is configured to provide electronic video signals for the monitor 7.

[0062] FIG. 3 illustrates the distal end of the elongated member 3 and the image capturing tip 10. The device comprises a first optical fibre 11, and a second optical fibre 12. Each fibre extends from a receiving fibre end inside the control unit to a releasing fibre end, 13, 14 at the image capturing tip 10. The CCD 15 is placed between the releasing fibre ends 13, 14.

[0063] The device forms a working channel having an exit 16. The releasing ends of the optical fibres and the CCD are arranged along a straight line illustrated by the dotted line 17, and the exit is shifted downwards relative to the row in a direction perpendicular to the row direction and illustrated by the dotted line 18.

[0064] FIG. 3c illustrates the body 32 of the image capturing tip without the elongated member and in an embodiment where the elongated member is made from an inner and an outer tube, as described relative to FIG. 4b. In this embodiment, the outer surface 33 of the image capturing tip body 32 is fixed to the outer tube and the inner tube is rotationally suspended in the body 32. The body 32 forms a fixed engagement outer tube and is rotationally locked relative to the outer tube via the projection 34. The outer tube and at least a proximal part of the body 32 is covered by a hose 43 (not illustrated in FIG. 3C), e.g. of a shrink wrap material, and the optical fibres are located between the hose and the outer surface of the outer tube.

[0065] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate internal components in the control unit. The control unit forms an encapsulating shell 19 forming an opening at 20. The elongated member 3 extends through the opening and is suspended in the inner space inside the control unit. The elongated member 3 is covered with the sheath 21 of shrink wrap terminating at 22 and leaving a portion 23 of the elongated member uncovered. The sheath extends on both sides of the opening and covers also the optical fibres 11, 12 and thereby protects the fibres from the edges of the shell 19.

[0066] As c illustrated, the fibres form a slack loop 24 in the housing and allow the elongated member to be rotated while the fibres are wound around the elongated member.

[0067] The optical fibres end at the light interface 25 which is attached to the PCB 26. The PCB 26 carries the LED. The PCB is connected to a battery 42 located in the control unit.

[0068] FIG. 4b illustrates an embodiment comprising an inner tube 41 and an outer tube 42. The inner tube 41 is rotational in the outer tube 42 and it comprises a rigid inner section axially coextending a flexible outer section of the outer tube. The rigid inner section may have a curvature which forms the curvature of the curved portion by deflection of the flexible outer section. This is not illustrated in FIG. 4b, but it can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, the first and second optical fibres may particularly be located outside the inner tube and particularly with no direct contact to the surface of the inner tube. This may enable the rotation of the inner tube in the outer tube without wearing the optical fibres. In the illustrated embodiment, the optical fibres are located outside the outer tube 42 and fixed thereon by a hose 43 attached about the outer tube. The inner tube can be rotated by use of the handle 44, also shown in FIG. 2, and the inner tube may e.g. be suspended rotationally in the bearing structure 45 provided in the image capturing tip 10, and the outer tube 42 is fixed to the image capturing tip and thereby prevents rotation of the image capturing tip.

[0069] FIG. 4b only illustrates one of the two fibres 11, 12, but both fibres may be located outside the outer tube.

[0070] The LED is powered by the battery 46.

[0071] The LED is powered by the battery 46. The battery may be directly connected to one of the PCB 26, the light interface 25 or the optic fibres, and thereby further function as a heat zinc. Further, the length of the electrical cable between the battery and the LED may be much shorter than the length of the optic fibres. Short electrical connectors reduce electrical interference.

[0072] The light interface and LED are illustrated in further details in FIGS. 5-7. The light interface 25 comprises a single through hole 27 in which the receiving ends of the optical fibres are placed. The first optical fibre and the second optical fibre extend through the interface element from an inner surface 28 to an outer surface 29 of the interface element.

[0073] The receiving ends are preferably glued into place in the light interface, and extend to the upper, light emitting, surface 30 of the LED 31.

[0074] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment where the receiving end is directly against the upper surface 30. In this embodiment, the hot upper surface will be in good heat conducting contact with the fibre end, and the fibre end will therefore contribute in distributing the thermal energy from the LED to the light interface. The optical fibres may e.g. be glass fibres having a high melting point compared e.g. with common plastic fibres. The advantage of having direct contact is further that the light from the LED is emitted better and with a low rate of loss. Accordingly, the LED may have less power consumption and thus heat emission for the same intensity of the light.

[0075] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment where the receiving end is lifted away from the upper surface 30. In this embodiment, the hot upper surface will be in poor heat conducting contact with the fibre end, and the fibre end will therefore not contribute in distributing the thermal energy from the LED to the light interface. The optical fibres may e.g. be plastic fibres having a low melting point compared e.g. with glass fibres. The distance between the receiving fibre end and the LED reduces the emission rate from the LED to the fibre but also reduces the heat emission from the LED to the fibre.

[0076] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment, where the releasing fibre ends are located below the exit 16 of the working channel.

LIST OF NUMBERED EMBODIMENTS

[0077] 1. A device (1) for visualization of internal tissue, the device comprising a hand-held control unit (2), an elongated member (3), an illumination structure, and an image capturing tip (10), the control unit being dimensioned to be held by a user's hand, the elongated member having a proximal end (4) connected to the hand-held control unit and a distal end (5) connected to the image capturing tip, wherein the illumination structure comprises an LED housed in the control unit, and at least a first optical fibre (11) and a second optical fibre (12), each of the first optical fibre and the second optical fibre extending along the elongated member and forming a releasing fibre end (13, 14) at the image capturing tip and a receiving fibre end at the control unit, the receiving fibre end being in communication with the LED in a light interface in the control unit.

[0078] 2. The device according to embodiment 1, wherein the optical fibres form an over-length exceeding the distance between the LED and the image capturing tip.

[0079] 3. The device according to embodiment 2, wherein the over-length forms a slack-loop in the control unit.

[0080] 4. The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the optical fibres extend along an outer surface of the elongated member between the releasing fibre end and the receiving fibre end.

[0081] 5. The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the image capturing tip comprises a CCD, and wherein the CCD and the releasing fibre ends are arranged in a row extending in a row direction with the releasing fibre ends on opposite sides of the CCD.

[0082] 6. The device according to embodiment 5, wherein the elongated member forms a working channel extending from an entrance in the proximal end to an exit in the distal end, and wherein the exit is shifted relative to the row in a direction perpendicular to the row direction.

[0083] 7. The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the optical fibres are plastic fibres or glass fibres with a diameter of less than 1 mm.

[0084] 8. The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the light interface comprises a PCB defining an area of metal exposed on an essentially planar surface of the PCB and the LED being connected to the area to lead heat away from the LED.

[0085] 9. The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the light interface comprises an interface element, the first optical fibre and the second optical fibre extending through the interface element from an inner surface to an outer surface of the interface element.

[0086] 10. The device according to embodiment 8 and 9, wherein the interface element is fixed to the PCB with the inner surface in direct contact with the PCB.

[0087] 11. The device according to embodiment 10, wherein the interface element is attached in direct contact with the area of metal.

[0088] 12. The device according to any of embodiments 8-11, wherein the interface element comprises a first through hole and a second through hole, the first optical fibre being fixed in the first through hole and the second optical fibre being fixed in the second through hole.

[0089] 13. The device according to any of embodiments 8-11, wherein the interface element comprises one single through hole, and wherein the first optical fibre and the second optical fibre are fixed in the single through hole.

[0090] 14. The device according to any of embodiments 9-13, wherein the inner surface of the interface element comprises a recess and the LED extends into the recess.

[0091] 15. The device according to any of embodiments 9-14, wherein the interface element is made from PC/ABS or metal.

[0092] 16. The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the elongated member and the first and second optical fibres are covered by a polymer hose.

[0093] 17. The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first and second optical fibre extend on opposite sides of the elongated member.

[0094] 18. The device according to any of embodiments 8-17, wherein at least one of the PCB and the interface element is directly connected to a housing forming an outer surface of the control unit.

[0095] 19. The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the elongated member forms a straight portion (8) extending along a straight axis and a curved portion (9) forming a curvature away from the straight axis, the curved portion being between the image capturing tip and the straight portion, wherein the elongated member comprises an inner tube (41) and an outer tube (42), the inner tube being rotational in the outer tube and comprising a rigid inner section axially coextending a flexible outer section of the outer tube, the rigid inner section having a curvature which forms the curvature of the curved portion by deflection of the flexible outer section, and wherein the first and second optical fibres are located outside the inner tube and with no direct contact to the surface of the inner tube.

[0096] 20. The device according to embodiment 19, wherein the first and second optical fibres are located outside the outer tube.

[0097] 21 The device according to embodiment 20, wherein the first and second optical fibres are fixed on an outer surface of the outer tube by a hose attached about the outer tube.

[0098] 22. The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the LED is configured to consume an effect in the range of 200-1500 mWatt and both the first and the second optical fibre have a diameter between 0.4 and 0.6 mm.

[0099] 23. The device according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a battery arranged for powering at least the LED.

[0100] 24. The device according to embodiment 23, wherein battery is housed in the control unit.

[0101] 25. A method of transferring light in a device for visualization of internal tissue of a patient's uterus, the device comprising a hand-held control unit (2), an elongated member (3), an illumination structure, and an image capturing tip (10), the method comprising transferring a first light intensity from an LED in the control unit via a first fibre to a delivering fibre end of the first fibre at the image capturing tip, transferring a second light intensity from the LED in the control unit via a second fibre to a delivering fibre end of the second fibre at the image capturing tip.