HK1139029B - Cable-free arthroendoscope - Google Patents

Description

Cable-free arthroscopy

Technical Field

The present invention relates to traumatology, a medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic injuries, which in particular affect the locomotor system. The present invention specifically describes a cable-less device or system that can be used in any type of minimally invasive surgical or arthroscopic surgery, particularly arthroscopic surgical viewing and manipulation.

Background

Arthroscopy was invented by japanese doctor k.takayi from tokyo university (1918), who observed the inside of the knee using one cystoscope. The first arthroscopic examination was done in 1938 in japan in a cadaver knee. The m.watanabe doctor subsequently took over for the k.takayi doctor continued his efforts to develop arthroscopic techniques, and thus in 1960, in cooperation with the s.takeda doctor proposed an arthroscope 21 designed for arthroscopy of the knee joint. The Watanabe physician in 1962 was the first physician to perform a meniscectomy of PHMM (medial semilunar posterior horn) by arthroscopy.

In 1966, the r.w.jakson physician removed two free bodies from the knee and in 1970 removed a bucket handle-like meniscal tear using arthroscopic techniques. The r.w.jakson doctor travels to japan and surprises and fascinates the observations of the knee joint made by Watanabe doctors, who developed arthroscopy after returning to toronto and positively influenced the establishment of the technology in the western world. This advancement was therefore due to the r.w.jakson physician, although many authors had an impact on performing arthroscopy in the 70 s, e.g., Dandy, 1978; carson, 1979; eikelara, 1975; ikeuchi, 1979; o' Connor, 1979; or Guillen, 1979.

In the 70 s, in the first generation arthroscopy, the interior of the joint was observed by direct vision through the lens supplying the cold light source and the cable. At that time, there were teaching optical instruments for taking pictures and for collaborators to view the surgeon who was performing the surgery.

In the 80 s, second generation arthroscopy was developed and arthroscopic cameras appeared which, after a complete fit with the lens, showed an image of the inside of the joint on the screen. The second stage in arthroscopy requires two cables that are threaded through the surgical field and require sterilization because they are a source of contamination as well as a source of infection. The lens, connected to the light source by a cable, receives the illumination and transfers it to the joint filled with grout and thus makes it visible. The illumination system comprises a light source, usually xenon or tungsten, with an intensity that is adjustable according to the joint tissue to be focused, and a glass fibre cable connected to the arthroscope. Approximately two meters of the cable run through the entire surgical field and become a source of contamination, causing septic arthritis after arthroscopic surgery. The cable must therefore be sterilized before any operation. The deterioration of the glass fibers further negatively affects the desired aseptic conditions that must be maintained in the operating room.

The interior of the joint is visually inspected by illuminating the joint filled with grout with a lens. After direct viewing, a lens hinged to the camera is applied to obtain a photograph. This method is known as diagnostic arthroscopy.

The camera is applied to the lens and connected to a monitor by a long cable, either sterilized or in a sterilized covering, extending to two to three meters, which constitutes a significant advance in second generation arthroscopy. Thus, the surgery is recorded or photographed, facilitating the knowledge and teaching of advanced surgical procedures.

However, the second generation arthroscopic techniques currently in use are responsible for the majority of the joint infections that a patient suffers when he or she undergoes surgery in which they are used. The medical literature from 1988 to 2005 was reviewed in the present invention. The study showed that the different percentages of infection in arthroscopic surgery varied from 0.4% to 2.0%, and this data was greater in the shoulder than in the knee. This percentage of infection is reduced when arthroscopy is performed using the device of the present invention.

The invention therefore relates to a device or a system for performing arthroscopy (hereinafter referred to as the device of the invention) which does not comprise a cable or a connection joining it to an arthroscopic table, thus preventing the joint infections caused by said cable and mentioned above. The present invention therefore forms a step-over from second generation arthroscopy (including arthroscopic cameras which take pictures of the inside of the joint after being fully fitted with a lens and display them on a screen, requiring two cables to cross the surgical field and requiring sterilization because they are a source of contamination and infection) to third generation arthroscopy, which is the object of the present invention, and enabling arthroscopy without cold light source cables, thus reducing the risk of the patient suffering from joint infections.

On the other hand, apart from providing the surgeon with the possibility of performing risk-free arthroscopy or arthroscopy with a lower risk of joint infection and thus enabling the patient to undergo surgery with a lower risk of infection, the device of the invention, due to the fact that it does not comprise cables, is a surgical tool that can be used more independently by the arthroscopist than those tools comprising cables that are present in the art.

The fact that the device of the invention also involves a simplification of the systems used in the prior art, since it does not comprise cables or connections, offers the possibility of using the device in a medical clinic without requiring the complex equipment associated with current arthroscopic surgical systems (generally in operating rooms with more rigorous and expensive sterile and aseptic conditions). The possibility of not having to use complex equipment in use has the advantage that: the economic costs associated with using the service are reduced.

The portability of the system of the present invention is also emphasized, which makes it suitable for ambulatory diagnosis as well as surgery at a location remote from a large medical center.

Disclosure of Invention

Brief description of the invention

The present invention relates to a device or system for performing arthroscopy, which does not comprise cables or a connection combining it with an arthroscopic table, which prevents or reduces the risk of the patient contracting a joint infection caused by said cables, which is easier to use than the devices known in the prior art (which comprise cables) and which reduces the complexity of the equipment associated with its use and the economic costs.

As mentioned in the present invention, an arthroscopic surgical table relates to a trolley with wheels, formed by several layers, in which a television screen, a video centre, a cold light source and a power supply for an electric motor and any other devices for the same purpose are placed.

In addition to preventing or reducing joint infections in patients undergoing surgical treatment using the device or system of the present invention, the device or system has an additional set of advantages over prior art devices or systems in that it is more comfortable and effective to use due to the fact that it does not include a cable or corded light source: it does not require an arthroscopic examination table, it does not require a cable connected to a camera on the arthroscopic examination table, it has a low burden of devices and cables, it does not present a sterilizing box for a cold light cable, and it is low in cost.

Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a disposable or reusable cableless, luminescent energy device or pouch comprising in its interior:

1. a battery;

2. a light emitting diode and a light intensity controller;

a (-) button, light intensity reduction knob.

A (+) button, light intensity boost regulator.

Fig. 2 shows a small camera without cable, which camera provides the possibility to record video and/or photos together with a focus controller. The camera consists of the following components:

5. a plurality of batteries;

6. a transmitter;

7. an antenna;

8. a video camera or a still camera.

9. The switch is activated.

10. A focusing device.

11. Objective lens (25 mm).

Fig. 3 shows the lens of a conventional arthroscope to which the two elements shown in fig. 1 and 2 are attached. The lens of the arthroscope thus obtained from the coupling is constituted by:

1. a battery;

2. light emitting diodes (light intensity controllers);

a (-) button, light intensity reduction knob;

a (+) button, a light intensity increasing adjuster;

5. a plurality of batteries;

6. a transmitter;

7. an antenna;

8. a miniature video or still camera;

9. a switch;

10. a focusing device.

11. Objective lens (25 mm).

12. Lens of arthroscope.

13. Needle/catheter/arthroscopic tube.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to a device or system for performing arthroscopy, which does not comprise cables or a connection combining it with an arthroscopic table, which prevents or reduces the risk of the patient contracting a joint infection caused by said cables, which is easier to use than the devices known in the prior art (which comprise cables) and which reduces the complexity of the equipment associated with its use and the economic costs.

Because it does not include a cable, the lens of the device of the present invention has attached to it a power supply device or capsule (fig. 1). The device or balloon (which is disposable) allows the applied energy to be modulated by the following components, including: with a variable duration and size battery 1, light intensity controller and light emitting diode 2 that can be applied to the lens of any arthroscope, can be used for attachment to other illumination systems (front illumination systems such as intracavity illuminators, fixed base illumination systems, etc.) through a universal adapter. The leds are operated by respective buttons 3 and 4. The power supply arrangement shown (fig. 1) also allows the lens 12 to be rotated.

On the other hand, the arthroscopic camera (fig. 2) also does not require a cable and has a central keyboard in order to turn on the monitor or computer and take pictures or videos, which can be archived in clinical records.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the power supply means is integrated in the device carrying the camera itself and/or in the device carrying the lens.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the energy device or capsule (fig. 1), or miniature camera (fig. 2), is characterized by the fact that they do not include a connecting cable and can be coupled to any surgical device or system that requires a power or light source.

The device of the invention (fig. 3) thus comprises a lens of a conventional arthroscope to which the two elements shown and described in fig. 1 and 2 are connected. The arthroscopic device or system therefore comprises:

conventional lens 8, with any adjustment angle (0 °, 30 °, 70 ° or more), for example 30 ° and 4mm, to which are physically and optically connected power supply means or capsules carrying battery blades or cells of variable duration and size, with energy of different duration, and being or not disposable. This capsule generates light that can be modulated and can also turn the lens (fig. 1). The energy capsule can be attached to a light emitting device (a frontlight or lumenal illuminator in neurosurgery, ear, nose, throat, urology, etc.).

A conventional sheath covering and protecting the lens is shown in fig. 3. The sheath serves as a way of protecting the lens against breakage. In addition, because it is larger in diameter than the lens, the sheath causes the formation of a cavity in which a slurry is circulated that facilitates observation during arthroscopy.

A small camera 8 with an antenna 7 and a plurality of switches 9 for turning on the monitor and recording or taking pictures (fig. 2).

Thus, in a first aspect, the invention relates to a system or device comprising a lens 12 of a conventional arthroscope, to which is connected a device or capsule, inside which is a power source or source 1 and a miniature camera 8, characterized in that it does not comprise a connection cable for connection to the power source.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a power supply device or capsule 1 to be connected to the lens of a conventional arthroscope, characterized in that it does not comprise a connection cable for connection to a power supply.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a miniature camera 8, preferably of weight less than 10 grams, to be connected to the lens of a conventional arthroscope, characterized in that it does not comprise a connection cable for connection to a power supply.

A fourth aspect of the invention relates to the use of a system or device comprising a lens 12 of a conventional arthroscope, to which is connected a power supply device or capsule, inside which is a power supply 1 and a miniature camera 8, characterized in that it does not comprise a connection cable for connecting the power supply, for performing arthroscopy, which is simple arthroscopy, diagnostic arthroscopy or minimally invasive surgery, or for performing the following arthroscopies aimed at studying natural body cavities: such as those of the digestive, pulmonary or urogenital systems, or for performing the following arthroscopy intended for the following surgical treatments: organ and tissue damage and in particular those affecting joints and ventricles are treated surgically in humans or animals.

A fifth aspect of the invention relates to the use of a power supply device or capsule, inside which is a power supply 1, characterized in that it does not comprise cables connected to said power supply 1, to the lens 12 of a conventional arthroscope and/or to a miniature camera (fig. 2), for the manufacture of a device or system that can be used in surgery, and in that it does not comprise cables and requires a power supply or light source, wherein the surgical device or system is exactly a cableless arthroscopic device.

A sixth aspect of the invention relates to the use of a miniature camera 8, characterized in that it does not comprise a connection cable for connecting a power supply 1, for the manufacture of a device or system that can be used in surgery, and in that it does not comprise a cable and requires a power supply or a light source, wherein the surgical device or system is exactly a cable-less arthroscopic device.

A final aspect of the invention relates to a method for arthroscopy in humans and animals (hereinafter referred to as the method of the invention), characterized in that an arthroscopic device comprising at least three elements selected from: the lens 12 of a conventional arthroscope, to which a power supply device or capsule is connected, inside which are the power supply 1 and the miniature camera 8, is characterized by not comprising a connection cable. The method of the invention is also characterized in that the power supply means or capsule (inside which the power supply 1 is present) to be connected to the lens 12 of a conventional arthroscope does not comprise a connection cable. The method of the present invention is further characterized in that the miniature camera or video or still camera (to be connected to the lens of a conventional arthroscope) does not include a connecting cable. Arthroscopy by the method of the invention is comprised in the group: simple arthroscopy, diagnostic arthroscopy, minimally invasive surgical arthroscopy, arthroscopy for studying natural body cavities (such as those of the digestive, pulmonary or urogenital systems), arthroscopy intended for the surgical treatment of organ and tissue injuries and in particular those affecting the joints and ventricles.

The system or device of the present invention has been used in manikins (e.g., arthroscopic workshops with knee replicas) as well as cadavers where it has proven useful, easy and safe. It has been further tried in medical clinics, showing the advantages it involves and those previously described: faster surgery, lower economic cost and less patient harm due to reduced risk of infection.

Claims (3)

1. An arthroscopic device comprising:

three separate elements:

an arthroscopic lens (12),

-a power supply device or capsule, inside which there is a light source,

-a miniaturized camera (8) that does not require cables and produces photographs or video, comprising a battery (5), a transmitter (6), an antenna (7), an on/off switch (9), a focus adjuster (10), and an objective lens (11),

characterized in that light enters the arthroscopic lens (12) directly from the power supply device with the light source, creating a physical and direct optical connection of the light source to the arthroscopic lens (12).

2. The arthroscopic device according to claim 1 wherein said power supply means or capsule has said light source inside it, said power supply means or capsule being constituted by: a battery (1), an LED diode and a light intensity controller (2), and two buttons (3, 4) for adjusting the decrease and increase of the light intensity.

3. The arthroscopic device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection of the light source to the arthroscopic lens (12) allows the arthroscopic lens (12) to rotate.