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EP-4739229-A1 - A CYSTOSCOPY DEVICE AND SYSTEM WITH A HYDRODYNAMIC CAVITATION PROBE

EP4739229A1EP 4739229 A1EP4739229 A1EP 4739229A1EP-4739229-A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cystoscopy device (100) comprising a tubular main probe (200), a cavitation probe (300), and an image capturing optical unit (400). The main probe (200) sequentially comprises a guide section (210), a separation section (220), an abutment section (230), and an articulated section (240) having a plurality of joint units (241) aligned end to end. The cavitation probe (300) comprises a flexible transmission tube (310) extending along the main probe (200) for transmitting a cavitation fluid to a flow-restricting nozzle (320), and a flow-restricting nozzle (320) positioned at an open end of the articulated section (240) having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the transmission tube (310) to create cavitation.

Inventors

  • EKICI, Sinan
  • GHORBANI, Morteza
  • KUTLU, Ozlem
  • KOSAR, ALI
  • GOZUACIK, DEVRIM

Assignees

  • Sabanci Üniversitesi
  • Sabanci Üniversitesi Nanoteknoloji Arastirma ve Uygulama Merkezi Sunum

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240705

Claims (9)

  1. 1. A cystoscopy device (100) comprising a tubular main probe (200); a cavitation probe (300); an image capturing optical unit (400) characterized in that the main probe (200) sequentially comprises a guide section (210); a separation section (220); an abutment section (230); and an articulated section (240) having a plurality of joint units (241) aligned end to end; wherein the guide section (210) comprises at least one tubular outer guide body (211); at least one tubular inner guide body (212) positioned inside the outer guide body (211) through which a transmission tube (310) of the cavitation probe (300) and at least one connection cable electrically connected to the image capturing optical unit (400) pass; a plurality of tendon channels (213) extending between the inner guide body (212) and the outer guide body (211) along the inner guide body (212); and an adapter inlet (214) at its open end for accommodating a portable control unit (500); wherein the separation section (220) comprises at least one probe channel (250) for accommodating the transmission tube (310) extending from the inner guide body (212); at least one cable channel (260) for accommodating the connection cable; and a plurality of tendon channels (213); wherein the abutment section (230) is for providing an abutting surface for the nearest joint unit (241) of the articulated section (240) during a bending movement; wherein each joint unit (241) comprises at least one probe channel (250) and at least one cable channel (260); wherein one of the end surfaces of the joint units (241) aligned end to end has an inner concave form allowing movement in only one degree of freedom and another end surface has an outer convex form to match the inner concave surface; wherein each joint unit (241) positioned between two joint units (241) comprises at least two connection teeth (242) extending by facing one another on one end surface, limiting the relative movement of the neighboring joint units (241) and center of which face the center of the central joint unit (241); at least two tooth recesses (243) on the other end surface for accommodating and allowing the movement of the connection teeth (242) inside; wherein a plurality of tendon cables extend along the tendon channel (213) of the guide section (210), separation section (220), abutment section (230), and articulated section (240); wherein the cavitation probe (300) comprises a flexible transmission tube (310) extending along the main probe (200) for transmitting a cavitation fluid to a flow- restricting nozzle (320); the flow-restricting nozzle (320) positioned at an open end of the articulated section (240) having an inner radius smaller than the inner radius of the transmission tube (310) to create cavitation; wherein the image capturing optical unit (400) is positioned at the open end of the articulated section (240).
  2. 2. A cystoscopy device (100) according to claim 1, comprising a portable control unit (500) having a probe adapter (510) for being accommodated into the adapter inlet (214); wherein the portable control unit (500) comprises at least one drive unit for changing the tension in a plurality of tendon cables extending along the tendon channels (213) and thereby allowing the articulated section (240) to bend and move in only one degree of freedom; and a control lever (520) for controlling the drive unit and thereby controlling the bending movement of the articulated section (240).
  3. 3. A cystoscopy device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the drive unit is a servo motor; and comprising a servo arm connected to the servo motor on one end and to the tendon cables on the other end.
  4. 4. A cystoscopy device (100) according to any of claims 2 or 3, comprising a processing unit adapted to create a selected tension in the tendon cables via the servo motor to maintain the position of the articulated section (240) in a position adjusted by the control lever (520).
  5. 5. A cystoscopy device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an inverted U-shaped surface structure on the surface of the joint unit (241) positioned at the open end of the articulated section (240), between two tendon channels (213), through which a tendon cable exiting one tendon channel (312) is guided to the other tendon channel (213).
  6. 6. A cystoscopy device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the cavitation probe (300) being made of a material containing polyether ether ketone polymer.
  7. 7. A cystoscopy device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the main probe (200) and the cavitation probe (300) being modular, wherein the outer guide body (211) and the inner guide body (212) have a plurality of tubular body parts joined end to end.
  8. 8. A cystoscopy system comprising a cystoscopy device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a fluid system for transmitting a cavitation fluid to the cavitation probe (300) at a selected pressure and/or at selected time intervals; and an imaging system electrically connected to the image capturing optical unit (400) via the connection cable for displaying the image captured by the image capturing optical unit (400).
  9. 9. A cystoscopy system according to claim 8, wherein the fluid system comprises a high-pressure nitrogen tank; a cavitation fluid reservoir; a fluid control valve; a oneway valve; a filter; and a pressure gauge.

Description

A CYSTOSCOPY DEVICE AND SYSTEM WITH A HYDRODYNAMIC CAVITATION PROBE Technical Field of the Invention The invention relates to a cystoscopy device and system with a hydrodynamic cavitation probe. Background of the Invention Cystoscopy is an endoscopic procedure that allows the examination of the inner surface of the bladder, the relationship between the prostate and the urinary tract, and the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body). Cystoscopy is performed using a cystoscopy device through the urethra. Cystoscopy devices can be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. When a tissue sample is desired to be taken from the urinary system for these purposes, a surgical procedure is performed on the borders of the tissue sample to remove the tissue piece using cystoscopy devices. However, in cystoscopy devices prior to the art, surgical operations cannot be performed with the desired precision and sharp boundaries. This situation negatively affects the patient's treatment process. New generation treatment methods comprise devices utilizing hydrodynamic cavitation. Surgical operations can be performed with the desired precision and sharp boundaries using hydrodynamic cavitation. The European patent publication number EP2568893B1 can be shown as an example of these devices. Due to the inadequacies of cystoscopy devices in the prior art, there is a need for a cystoscopy device and system with a hydrodynamic cavitation probe that allows surgical operations to create sharply defined tissue defects in the epithelial and subepithelial tissues after the surgical procedure. Objects of the Invention The primary objective of the present invention is to develop a flexible cystoscopy device equipped with a hydrodynamic cavitation probe. As a result, a cystoscopy device based on hydrodynamic cavitation has been developed, allowing in-vivo surgical operations and ensuring that only sharply defined tissue defects occur in the epithelial and subepithelial tissues at the operation site after the operation. Another objective of the invention is to develop a portable control unit for controlling and operating the mentioned cystoscopy device. A portable control unit, particularly manageable with one hand, contributes to the operator's efficient for use of the cystoscopy device. Another objective of the invention is to develop a cystoscopy system comprising the mentioned cystoscopy device. Detailed Description of the Invention A cavitation probe, being implemented to achieve the purpose of the invention, has been illustrated in the attached drawings wherein the details of the invention should be evaluated in view of the entire specification. These figures are: Fig 1. A schematic view of the cystoscopy device in one embodiment of the invention. Fig 2. A schematic view of the main probe in one embodiment of the invention. Fig 3. A schematic view of the two-part outer guide body in one embodiment of the invention. Fig 4. A schematic view of the three-part inner guide body wherein the tendon channels are also shown in one embodiment of the invention. Fig 5. A schematic view of the cavitation probe in one embodiment of the invention. Fig 6. A schematic view of a joint unit at the end surface of which connection threads are disposed in one embodiment of the invention. Fig 7. A schematic view of a joint unit at the end surface of which thread indentations are disposed in one embodiment of the invention. Fig 8. A schematic view of the portable control unit in one embodiment of the invention. The reference numbers used in the drawings are given below. 100. Cystoscopy device 200. Main probe 210. Guide section 211. Outer guide body 212. Inner guide body 213. Tendon channel 214. Adapter inlet 220. Separation section 230. Abutment section 240. Articulated section 241. Joint unit 242. Connection tooth 243. Tooth recesses 250. Probe channel 260. Cable channel 300. Cavitation probe 310. Transmission tube 320. Flow-restricting nozzle 400. Image capturing optical unit 500. Portable control unit 510. Probe adapter 520. Control lever The invention relates to a cystoscopy device (100) comprising a tubular main probe (200), a cavitation probe (300), and an image capturing optical unit (400). The cavitation probe (300) is positioned within the main probe (200). The main probe (200) facilitates the navigation of the cystoscopy device (100) along the application path during in-vivo procedures. The image capturing optical unit (400) is used to visualize the application path during the procedure. Thus, the operator directs the cystoscopy device (100) using the image taken from the application path via the image capturing optical unit (400) and positions the cystoscopy device (100) in the desired position in the application path. The cystoscopy device (100) comprises biocompatible materials due to its nature. In the embodiments of invention, the caliber size of the cystoscopy device (100) is preferably about 7 mm or less.