Imagyn Medical, Inc.

Imagen Medical, Inc.

Tuoc Tan Nguyen

Steven R Bacich

John P Greelis

Hien V Nguyen

Richard L Quick

Hien Van Nguyen

Allan Francis Willis

John Patrick Greelis

A laparoscopic introducer and method of use comprise a laparoscopic channel and a guide channel for a secondary instrument. Upon initial insertion of the introducer, the guide channel closely conforms to the body of the introducer so as to only negligibly increase the cross-sectional profile thereof. Following insertion, the guide channel can be distended by means of a dilator. Thus, the guide channel allows a secondary instrument to be inserted into the body to perform laparoscopic procedures wherein the instrument is inserted and utilized along the same longitudinal axis as the laparoscope. Thus, the number of laparoscopic ports are reduced and visual distortions associated with triangulation are avoided. The guide channel is constructed from an extremely thin, but very strong and noncompliant membrane which may also be reinforced by means of a force distribution mechanism. The guide channel may also be provided with guide rails or other tracking mechanisms to ensure accurate and secure advancement of the dilator or secondary instrument. The method of construction of the introducer and an apparatus and method for dilation are also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for performing laparoscopy

A catheter comprising an elongated catheter body having a distal end and an elongated flexible guidewire having proximal and distal ends. The guidewire includes a rounded enlargement between the ends of the guidewire. The guidewire is mounted on the catheter body for movement longitudinally relative to the catheter body between a first position in which the rounded enlargement is adjacent the distal end of the catheter body and a second position in which the rounded enlargement is located distally of the position the rounded enlargement occupies in the first position.

Catheter with guidewire and rounded enlargement and method

A surgical access device comprises an introducer with a main endoscopic channel and an auxiliary or secondary instrument channel. The introducer exhibits an extremely narrow cross-sectional profile in order to minimize the size of the portal or other entry point necessary to gain access into the patient's body, thereby minimizing pain and discomfort to the patient and allowing a wide variety of endoscopic procedures to be performed on an out-patient basis. The narrow profile of the introducer is maintained upon introduction by a guide channel which can be stored in a first position so as to closely conform to the profile of the introducer. The guide channel is provided with a set in order to maintain its stored position upon introduction; however, post introductively, the set in the guide channel can be readily released in order to deploy the guide channel and allow insertion of a secondary surgical instrument. The guide channel can be provided with rails or other tracks in order to ensure accurate movement of the instrument to the desired distal location. The guide channel is constructed from a thin but extremely strong and noncompliant membrane material. The present invention also comprises a method of construction and use of the surgical access device.

Surgical access device and method of constructing same

A surgical access device and method are provided for endoscopic surgeries comprising biopsies or other surgical cutting procedures. The device generally comprises a substantially rigid first channel associated with a first port and a second channel associated with a second port of a proximal housing. The first or main channel extends to a curved distal end of the device, and the second channel is connected to a guide channel extending tangential to the main channel. The guide channel comprises substantially noncompliant material and has a pre-insertion position such that a cross-section of an inserted portion of the device is substantially the same as a cross-section of the main channel. A preferred method of the present invention includes the use of an open-loop device formed at a distal tip of an introducer and an aspiration tube during the location, excision and removal of one or more tissue specimens.

Method and apparatus for performing biopsy

A method of viewing an interior passage of a patient using an endoscope and a catheter which includes a catheter body having a distal end and a lumen opening at the distal end and a displacing member. The method comprises advancing the catheter into the passage in the patient with the displacing member extending beyond the distal end of the catheter body when the catheter body is at a region of the passage. The endoscope is provided in the lumen of the catheter with the endoscope being movable longitudinally relative to the catheter and being at a location for viewing the interior passage. The method includes relatively displacing the distal end of the catheter body and material within or forming the passage within a zone of the interior passage utilizing the displacing member and viewing at least a portion of such zone of the interior passage utilizing the endoscope.

Catheter and endoscope system with distal protruding ball tip and method

An endoscope including an elongated endoscope body sized and adapted for insertion into a passage, such as a passage of the body of a patient. Optical components are carried by the endoscope body to enable viewing of the passage distally of the distal end of the endoscope body within a field of view of the endoscope. An elongated, resilient member is mounted on and carried by the endoscope body such that the endoscope body and the resilient member are a unitary assembly which can be inserted as a unit into the passage. The resilient member extends beyond the distal end of the endoscope body and is capable of contacting material within or forming the passage and relatively displacing the distal end of the endoscope body and such material within the field of view of the endoscope to enhance viewing of the passage with the endoscope.

Growing community of inventors

Westminster, CA, United States of America

Tuoc Tan Nguyen