Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/04—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/012—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor
  • A61B1/018—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor for receiving instruments
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/0059—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence
  • A61B5/0082—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes
  • A61B5/0084—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/05—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves
  • A61B5/053—Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
  • A61B5/0538—Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body invasively, e.g. using a catheter
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/41—Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the immune or lymphatic systems
  • A61B5/414—Evaluating particular organs or parts of the immune or lymphatic systems
  • A61B5/415—Evaluating particular organs or parts of the immune or lymphatic systems the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/41—Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the immune or lymphatic systems
  • A61B5/414—Evaluating particular organs or parts of the immune or lymphatic systems
  • A61B5/418—Evaluating particular organs or parts of the immune or lymphatic systems lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/48—Other medical applications
  • A61B5/4836—Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods
  • A61B5/4839—Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods combined with drug delivery
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/01—Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
  • A61B8/13—Tomography

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an endoscopic system for in-vivo tissue characterization, employing a nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor.
• a typical colonoscope includes, at its distal end, with respect to an operator, a light source, a video chip, and a suction channel. These elements are all in communication with a proximal end of the colonoscope via wires and channels housed within a flexible tube. The distal end is inserted into a patient's rectum and can be maneuvered along the length of the colon. A colonoscope can be inserted far enough into a patient's colon for the distal end to enter the patient's cecum. The tip of the colonoscope can also be maneuvered through the ileo-cecal valve into the terminal ileum.
• a colonoscope provides a visual image only of the region of the colon that is immediately near the light source and video chip, yielding visual information for only a small region of the colon at any given time. Lesions in a patient's colon typically are identified by progressive and painstaking visual examination of the entire colon. However, a single colonoscopy is often not sufficient to identify the source of colorectal bleeding which is typically sporadic and in many cases would be best located by observing the entire colon over a period of time.
• the aforementioned endoscopes while providing means to access and visualize portions of the gastrointestinal track, do not provide means of detecting gastrointestinal pathologies, which are not clearly visible. In particular, they do not provide means for localization and differentiation of occult tumors. Typically, a large tumor is readily located by visualization. Yet, for subsequent operative success, as well as for the success of other forms of treatment, it is necessary to somehow locate tumors in their occult stage, when they cannot be found by sight and feel.
• lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in Western society.
• the five-year survival rate is about 42%.
• detection at an early stage is rare.
• the five-year survival rate for all stages of lung cancer combined is about 14% - a factor of three lower.
• Most patients are diagnosed when exhibiting symptoms, for example by bronchoscopy, using an endoscope specifically designed for the lungs.
• the walls of the bronchial tubes are examined, for example, visually, and small pieces of tissue may be removed for biopsy.
• needle aspiration biopsy may be performed, by inserting a needle between the ribs to draw cells from the lung.
• surgery is performed to remove tissue for biopsy.
• Diagnosis for malignancy is generally made in a laboratory, on the removed biopsy sample, by examination of the characteristics of the cells under a microscope.
• biopsy diagnosis performed in a laboratory and follow up procedures based on laboratory biopsy suffer from inherent disadvantages, as follows: i. biopsy is generally performed when symptoms are observed, and the cancer is at an advanced stage; ii. it may happen that the biopsy is taken from a region near the tumor, and not the tumor itself, leading to erroneous false negative results; iii. the exact location from which the biopsy was taken, may be difficult to reproduce; and iv. The results of the biopsy examination are not immediate.
• the present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the presently known configurations by providing an endoscopic system for in-vivo tissue characterization, using a nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor.
• the endoscopic system is further configured to employ several follow-up procedures, for example, biopsy sampling, localized surgery, dispensing a medicament, and the like, so that on the whole, the endoscopic system provides for the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous tissue, in vivo, and for the application of immediate follow-up procedures to any such tissue.
• an endoscope which comprises: an intracorporeal portions, configured for insertion into a body, and including: a nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor for tissue characterization; a communication line, on which the nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor is mounted; and an extracoiporeal portion.
• the communication line is formed as an instrument bundle.
• the instrument bundle extends beyond a distal-most end of the endoscope, with respect to an operator, and a distal-most end of the instrument bundle may be manipulated, extracorporeally, to bring the nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor to contact with a tissue, for characterization.
• the intracorporeal portion further includes an instrument channel, and wherein the nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor for tissue characterization is inserted into the instrument channel.
• nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor for tissue characterization may be removed from the instrument channel and replaced with another instrument.
• the endoscope may further include a catheter, wherein the nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor is inserted into the catheter, and the catheter is inserted into the instrument channel. Furthermore, the catheter may extend beyond a distal-most end of the endoscope, with respect to an operator, and a distal-most end of the catheter may be manipulated independently of the distal-most end of the endoscope.
• the intracorporeal portion further includes an optical channel for an optical instrument.
• the optical instrument is configured to observe the nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor.
• the intracorporeal portion further includes a second instrument.
• the second instrument is selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, an X-ray sensor, an RF sensor, a MW sensor, an infrared thermography sensor, or an ultrasound sensor, an MR sensor, an impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a biosensor, a chemical sensor, a radioactive-emission sensor, and a mechanical sensor.
• the second instrument is configured to sense the nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor.
• the intracorporeal portion is designed for motion in a body lumen.
• the intracorporeal portion is designed for reaching the lumen by percutaneous insertion.
• the endoscope is configured for characterizing a tissue along the lumen wall.
• the endoscope is configured for characterizing a tissue outside the lumen, by penetrating the lumen wall.
• the body lumen is selected from the group consisting of an oral cavity, a nostril, an esophagus, a gastrointestinal tract, a rectum, a colon, bronchi, a vagina, a cervix, a urinary tract, a bladder, a uterus, and blood vessels.
• the intracorporeal portion is designed for insertion through a trocar valve.
• tissue characterization relates to the detection of a malignancy.
• tissue characterization relates to the detection of a pre-cancerous state.
• a method of tissue characterization which comprises: inserting a nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor intracorporeally; and characterizing an intracoroporeal tissue.
• an in- vivo method comprising: providing an endoscope, having an instrument channel; inserting a sensor for tissue characterization, mounted on communication line, into the instrument channel; characterizing a tissue; removing the sensor for tissue characterization; inserting a second instrument into the instrument channel, to the location of the characterized tissue; and performing a second procedure with the second instrument.
• an in-vivo method comprising: providing an endoscope, having an instrument channel; inserting a sensor for tissue characterization, mounted on a communication line, into the instrument channel; extending the sensor, mounted on the communication line, to beyond the reach of the instrument channel; characterizing a tissue; inserting a guide wire to the location of the characterized tissue; removing the sensor for tissue characterization; inserting a second instrument into the instrument channel, along the guide wire, to the location of the characterized tissue; and performing a second procedure with the second instrument.
• a method for tissue characterization comprising: inserting a guide wire intracorporeally; inserting a sensor for tissue characterization, mounted on a communication line, intracorporeally, along the guide wire; and characterizing the tissue with the sensor.
• an endoscope system which comprises: an intracorporeal portions, configured for insertion into a body, and including: a nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor for tissue characterization; a communication line, on which the nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor is mounted; and an extracorporeal portion; a control unit; and a signal analyzer.
• FIGs. IA and IB schematically illustrate an overall endoscopic system, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an intracorporeal portion of an endoscope, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention
• FIGs. 3A - 3C schematically illustrate an intracorporeal distal tip of an endoscope, and the synergy between a sensor and an optical instrument at the distal tip, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention
• FIGs. 3D - 3H schematically illustrate different embodiments of an intracorporeal portion of an endoscope of the present invention
• FIGs. 4A - 4D further illustrate an endoscopic system, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention
• FIGs. 5 A - 5 D summarize different manners of motion in the body, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
• FIGs. 6A - 6D schematically illustrate tissue characterization coupled with at least one additional procedure, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention
• FIGs. 7A and 7B schematically illustrate tissue characterization coupled with at least one additional procedure, in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention
• FIGs. 8A - 8C schematically illustrate sensor insertion along a guide wire, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
• the present invention relates to an endoscopic system for in-vivo tissue characterization, using a nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor.
• the endoscopic system is further configured to employ several follow-up procedures, for example, biopsy sampling, localized surgery, dispensing a medicament, and the like, so that on the whole, the endoscopic system provides for the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous tissue, in vivo, and for the application of immediate follow-up procedures to any such tissue.
• FIGS. IA and IB illustrate an overall endoscopic system 10, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
• the endoscopic system 10 preferably includes an extracorporeal control station
• control unit 22 preferably, having control buttons 23, and possibly also, an input interface, such as a keyboard 26, and a read/write device 27.
• the control unit 22 is in communication with a signal analyzer 25, and possibly, with a display screen 24.
• the control station 20 may be placed on a rack 28. Alternatively, a hand-held device, or a laptop, as known, may be used.
• the endoscopic system 10 includes an endoscope 30, having an extracorporeal portion 34, which preferably includes a manipulator 36, for manipulating the endoscope 30, and a connector 38, for connecting to the extracorporeal control station 20.
• the endoscope 30 includes an intracorporeal portion 32, designed for insertion into a body, for example, into a lumen or a trocar valve, and formed as a flexible tubing 40, having a distal tip 42, with respect to an operator (not shown).
• the manipulator 36 is preferably, handheld. It may include both mechanical and electrical control features, for controlling the position of the tubing 40 and its tip 42. Preferably, the manipulator 36 may apply to the flexible tubing 40 both lateral motion, as seen by the arrow 31, and rotational motion, as seen by the arrow 33.
• Figure 2 schematically illustrates the intracoiporeal portion 32 of the endoscope 30, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
• the flexible tubing 40 of the intracorporeal portion 32 includes an instrument channel 44.
• a sensor 52 is configured for insertion into the instrument channel 44, preferably, within a catheter 48.
• the sensor 52 is mounted on a communication line 50 for signal transmission, which is preferably formed as an instrument bundle 50.
• the instrument bundle 50 may include a power cable, a communication line for signal transmission, data cables, and a mechanical control cable.
• the sensor 52 may be a nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor for tissue characterization, for example, as taught in commonly owned US Patent 6,813,515, to Hashimshony, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
• US Patent 6,813,515 describes a nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor, which applies an electrical pulse to a tissue, thus generating an electrical fringe field in the zone of the tissue and producing a reflected pulse therefrom with negligible radiation penetrating into the tissue itself.
• the sensor detects the reflected electrical pulse and compares the electrical characteristics of the reflected electrical pulse with respect to the applied electrical pulse to provide an indication of the dielectric properties of the examined tissue.
• the sensor 52 may be a nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor for tissue characterization, as taught in commonly owned US Patent Application 60/665,842, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
• US Patent Application 60/665,842 describes a sensor for tissue characterization, comprising: a resonating element, formed as a conductive structure, configured to be placed proximally to an edge of a tissue for characterization, without penetrating the tissue, and having a diameter-equivalent D, which defines a cross-sectional area of the resonating element, on a plane substantially parallel with the edge; and at least one conductive lead, for providing communication with an external system, wherein the resonating element is configured to resonate at a free-air wavelength range of between about ⁇ and about lO ⁇ , wherein ⁇ is at least about ten times the diameter-equivalent D, and wherein upon receiving a signal in the range of between about ⁇ and about lO ⁇ , the sensor is configured to induce electric and magnetic fields, in a near zone
• the flexible tubing 40 also includes an optical channel 46, for an optical instrument 43, mounted on an optical communication line 45, preferably formed as an optical fiber 45.
• an optical bundle 45 may be used, including, for example, a power cable, optical data cables, and a mechanical control cable.
• tissue characterization is performed both visually, by the optical instrument 43, and via the sensor 52.
• the present invention may be operable also without the optical channel 46 and without the optical instrument 43.
• Figures 3 A - 3 C schematically illustrate the intracorporeal distal tip 42 of the endoscope 30, and the synergy between the sensor 52 and the optical instrument 43, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
• the catheter 48 has a distal tip 47, which may extend beyond the distal tip 42 of the endoscope. Additionally, the catheter 48 may be manipulated, independent of the tubing 40, via the instrument bundle 50, as seen in Figures 3A - 3C, so that the sensor 52 may be brought in contact with a specific location of a tissue 60, such as the inner wall of a body lumen or another tissue location, for characterizing a suspected anomaly 62, as seen in Figures 3 A and 3B. The manipulation of the catheter 48 may be mechanical, for example, via wires, or electronic, as known.
• the sensor 52 may be brought in contact with a healthy portion of the tissue 60, as seen in Figure 3C, for characterization of a reference tissue.
• the catheter 48 is not used, yet the instrument bundle 50 may extend beyond the distal tip 42 of the endoscope, and a distal-most end of the instrument bundle 50 may be manipulated, extracorporeally, to bring the sensor 52 to contact with the tissue 60, for characterization.
• Figures 3D - 3 H schematically illustrate different embodiments of the intracorporeal portion 32 of the endoscope 30 of the present invention.
• Figure 3D describes another embodiment, wherein no catheter 48 is used, and the sensor 52, mounted on the instrument bundle 50, is inserted directly into the instrument channel 44.
• Figure 3E describes still another embodiment, wherein the flexible tubing 40 has a single lumen, forming the instrument channel 44. No optical channel 46 is used.
• Figure 3F describes yet another embodiment, wherein the instrument bundle 50 is integrated with the flexible tubing 40.
• FIG. 3G describes still another embodiment, wherein the instrument bundle 50 and the optical bundle 45 form the flexible tubing 40.
• Figure 3 H describes yet another embodiment, wherein the intracorporeal portion 32 has two channels, the instrument channel 44 in which the sensor 52 moves, mounted on the instrument bundle 50, and a second channel 88, into which a second instrument 84 may be inserted, mounted on a second instrument bundle 82.
• the second sensor 84 may be any one of an optical sensor, an x-ray sensor, an
• RP sensor a MW sensor
• infrared thermography sensor an ultrasound sensor
• MR sensor an impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a biosensor, a chemical sensor, a radioactive-emission sensor, a mechanical sensor, and (or) another tissue characterization sensor, as known.
• the senor 52 is visible on the second modality of the second sensor 84.
• Figures 4A - 4D further illustrate the intracorporeal portion 32 of the endoscope 30, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
• the endoscope 30 may be inserted in a body lumen 64, for characterizing the tissue 60 formed as the walls of the body lumen 64.
• the insertion may be via a body opening 66, such as a mouth, a nose, or another body opening or orifice.
• the endoscope 30 may be inserted percutaneously, through a skin 68, and then into the body lumen 64, for characterizing the tissue 60 formed as the walls of the body lumen 64, for example, when the body lumen 64 is a blood vessel.
• the tissue which is characterized may be at a lumen junction 65.
• the endoscope 30 may be inserted via a trocar valve 35, through the skin 68, for characterizing the tissue 60, for example, during a minimally invasive surgery.
• the tissue 60 which is characterized by the sensor 52 may be the walls and (or) junctions of the body lumen 64, the walls of other body cavities which may be reached by body lumens, for example, the stomach or the uterus, or open flesh, during a minimally invasive surgery. Additionally, tissue characterization may include penetrating the lumen and characterizing the tissue bulk.
• the sensor 52 may be guided along the body lumen 64, characterizing the tissue 60, substantially along the full length of it.
• the senor 52 may be guided along the body lumen 64, characterizing the tissue 60, along predetermined portions of it.
• the optical instrument 43 detects the suspected anomaly 62, visually, and the sensor 52 is manipulated so as to be brought in contact with the suspected anomaly 62 and characterize it.
• imaging modalities such as x-ray, MRI, ultrasound, or another non-invasive modality, detects the suspected anomaly 62, and the sensor 52 is manipulated so as to be brought in contact with it and characterize it.
• the senor 52 may be used in two manners, as follows: i. for characterizing the tissue 60 and identifying the anomaly 62; and ii. during the removal of the anomaly 62, by a surgical instrument 70, characterizing a wall of a cut 72, to ensure that it is formed of a healthy tissue, and that the anomaly 62 is contained within.
• the endoscope 30 may be a multi-channel endoscope, so that several instruments, for example, the optical instrument 43, the sensor 52, and another instrument, for example, the surgical instrument 70 may operate together. Alternatively, only one or two channels may be available, and instruments are pulled out and replaced with other instruments, as needed.
• the senor 52 is visible on other imaging modalities such as x-rays, ultrasound and MRI, and may be guided using another imaging modality, so that it can be guided to zones which are not accessible to the optical instrument 43 or in cases where the optical instrument 43 is not used.
• imaging modalities such as x-rays, ultrasound and MRI
• another imaging modality so that it can be guided to zones which are not accessible to the optical instrument 43 or in cases where the optical instrument 43 is not used.
• the catheter 48 is between about 0.5 and 4 mm in diameter
• the sensor 52 is between about 0.3 and 3 mm in diameter
• the instrument bundle is about 2 mm in diameter
• the intracorporeal portion 32 is between about 2 and 5 mm. It will be appreciated that other dimensions, which may be larger or smaller, may similarly be used.
• the measurement is preferably performed by reflection of electromagnetic fields from the near vicinity of the sensor 52, for example, as taught in commonly owned US Patent 6,813,515, to Hashimshony, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the measurement is performed as taught in commonly owned US Patent Application 60/665,842, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. It will be appreciated that in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, other electromagnetic sensors may also be used.
• the control unit 22 of the extracorporeal control station 20 analyzes the reflection and displays results. It will be appreciated that another computer may be used, as known.
• the results may be used for characterization of the tissue 60, such as the lumen wall 60, for example, the broncos wall 60, and the anomaly 62. It will be appreciated that the tissue 60 may be a portion of tissue which is not part of a lumen wall, for example, as illustrated in Figures 5C and 5D, hereinbelow.
• the results may be produced graphically, numerically, or as positive or negative answers. The results may also be presented textually.
• the results may be relative, that is, a comparison between the anomaly 62 of different types and the reference tissue 60, or several references of the tissue 60 taken from different locations.
• the results may be based on literary data, in which the tissue is characterized based on previous tests and (or) data found in the literature.
• the tissue characterization relating to the anomaly 62 may relate to the detection of a malignancy, or a pre-cancerous state. Additionally or alternatively it may relate to the detection of another pathology, for example, internal bleeding.
• FIGs. 5A - 5D summarize the different manners of the endoscopic system's motion in the body, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
• the flexible tubing 40 of the endoscope 30 moves entirely within a body lumen 64, for characterizing the tissue 60 along the lumen wall.
• the entry point is a bodily orifice, such as the oral cavity, a nostril, the rectum, the vagina, the urinary orifice or another bodily orifice.
• the flexible tubing 40 of the endoscope 30 moves within the body lumen 64, but entry is percutaneous, at an entry point 74.
• the sensor 52 is associated with a sharp edge 76,, to facilitate the entry.
• the lumen may be a blood vessel, and the entry point may be a femoral vain or a jugular vain. It will be appreciated that other points of percutaneous entry are similarly possible.
• the entry point is a bodily orifice, but for characterizing the tissue 60, beyond the lumen 64, the sensor 52 penetrates the lumen 64 at a point
• the senor 52 moves within the lumen to a point as near as possible to the site for measurement, then penetrates the lumen.
• the sensor 52 is associated with the sharp edge 76, to facilitate the penetration.
• the sensor 52 enters the lumen percutaneously, at the entry point 74 and penetrates the lumen 64 at a point 72, for characterizing the tissue 60 beyond the lumen 64.
• biopsy diagnosis performed in a laboratory and follow up procedures based on laboratory biopsy suffer from inherent disadvantages, as follows: i. biopsy is generally performed when symptoms are observed, and the cancer is at an advanced stage; ii. it may happen that the biopsy is taken from a region near the tumor, and not the tumor itself, leading to erroneous false negative results; iii. the exact location from which the biopsy was taken, may be difficult to reproduce; and iv. the results of the biopsy examination are not immediate.
• the present invention seeks to provide for the application of immediate follow- up procedures directly with the detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous tissue, in vivo.
• methods are provided for the insertion of additional instruments to the characterized site, upon a detection of an anomaly. These instruments may be directed at additional characterization by other sensors, biopsy sampling, performing localized surgery, dispensing medication, and (or) other procedures. These methods are described hereinbelow, in conjunction with Figures 6A - 6D and 7A - 7B.
• Figures 6A - 6D schematically illustrate another method of tissue characterization preferably coupled with at least one additional procedure, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
• the reach of the endoscope is restricted by its diameter of about 2-3 mm, yet it is desired to reach beyond it, with the sensor 52, mounted on the instrument bundle 52, whose diameter may be as small as about 0.3 mm.
• the sensor 52 extends beyond the distal tip 42 of the instrument channel 42 and characterizes an anomaly 62 of the tissue 60.
• a guide wire 80 is inserted into the instrument channel 44, to the location of the sensor 52.
• the sensor 52 is removed, after the characterization.
• a second instrument 84 mounted on a second instrument bundle 82, is inserted into the instrument channel 44, to the location of the sensor 52, for performing at least one additional procedure on the tissue 60.
• the at least one additional procedure may be directed at additional characterization by another sensor, biopsy sampling, performing localized surgery, dispensing medication, and (or) another procedure.
• Figures 7A and 7B schematically illustrate performing a second procedure without a guide wire, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
• tissue characterization is performed by the sensor 52.
• the sensor 52 is then removed, the second instrument 84 is inserted, mounted on the second instrument bundle 82, and a second procedure is performed at the characterized site, by the second instrument 84.
• the second instrument 84 of Figures 6D and 7B may be a biopsy instrument, such as a biopsy brush, needle, or knife, an instrument for localized surgery, for example, by resection, ablation, for example, of ultrasound, RF, MW or another ablation method, or by cryosurgery, laser surgery, and the like, a dispensing instrument, for example, for dispensing a medication or for implanting brachytherapy seeds, or an instrument for other characterization and (or) treatment procedures.
• the second instrument 84 may be a second sensor 84, for characterizing the tissue by a second modality.
• the second sensor 84 may be any one of an optical sensor, an x-ray sensor, an RF sensor, a MW sensor, an infrared thermography sensor, an ultrasound sensor, an MR sensor, an impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a biosensor, a chemical sensor, a radioactive-emission sensor, a mechanical sensor, and (or) another tissue characterization sensor, as known.
• Figures 8A - 8C schematically illustrate sensor insertion along a guide wire, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
• the guide wire 80 is inserted intracorporeally.
• the sensor 52, mounted on the instrument bundle 50 is wound on the guide wire 80 by wire loops 86 and is inserted along the guide wire 80 intracorporeally.
• the endoscope 30 may be designed for insertion in a body lumen, for example, an oral cavity, a nostril, an esophagus, a gastrointestinal tract, a rectum, a colon, bronchi, a vagina, a cervix, a urinary tract, a bladder, a uterus, and blood vessels, or another body lumen. Additionally or alternatively, it may be designed for insertion in a trocar valve.

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• 2006
  • 2006-01-04 EP EP06700052A patent/EP1843696A4/de not_active Withdrawn
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