Device with Deflectable Distal End and Related Methods of Use

Abstract

A deflecting method and deflecting apparatus allows the distal end of device, for example an endoscopic medical device, to be remotely and adjustably deflected from a straight configuration to a deflected configuration. Manipulating a proximal handle causes the deflection, controls actuation of an end effector assembly on the distal end, and straightens the deflecting apparatus back to its original configuration.

1 - 78 . (canceled) 
     
     
         79 . An endoscopic device, comprising:
 an elongate insertion member sized and shaped to be inserted to a target site within a living body, the insertion member being sufficiently flexible to pass through a natural body lumen along a tortuous path;   a deflection mechanism coupled to a distal end of the insertion member, the deflection mechanism including proximal and distal portions pivotally coupled to one another for movement between a longitudinal configuration in which longitudinal axes of the proximal and distal portions are substantially aligned with one another and a deflected configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the distal portion is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion, the proximal portion including a proximal side gap extending proximally from a distal end of the proximal portion along a portion of a length thereof and the distal portion including a distal side gap extending distally from a proximal end of the distal portion along a portion of a length thereof;   a first control member extending through the insertion member to the deflection mechanism to actuate the deflection mechanism, wherein, when the deflection mechanism is in the longitudinal configuration, the control member extends through the proximal and distal portions parallel to the longitudinal axes thereof and, when the deflection mechanism is in the deflected configuration, a portion of the control member extends out of the proximal side gap and into the distal side gap; and   an end effector assembly extending from a distal end of the distal portion and actuated a second control member.   
     
     
         80 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the first control member is a wire coupled to a distal end of the distal portion. 
     
     
         81 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the end effector assembly includes a grasper. 
     
     
         82 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the first control member electrically couples the end effector to a proximal end of the insertion member which remains accessible to a user when the end effector is inserted into a body. 
     
     
         83 . The device of  claim 79 , further comprising a handle coupled to a proximal end of the insertion member so that the handle remains accessible to a user when the end effector is inserted into a body. 
     
     
         84 . The device of  claim 83 , further comprising a deflection actuator movable relative to the handle, the deflection actuator being coupled to the first control member so that movement of the deflection actuator relative to the handle moves the first control member relative to the insertion member to move the deflection mechanism between the longitudinal and deflected configurations. 
     
     
         85 . The device of  claim 84 , wherein the deflection actuator is slidable over a central shaft of the handle. 
     
     
         86 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the deflector member is connected to the connector via one of a weld, an adhesive, a free pivot pin, a ball and socket, and a clevis. 
     
     
         87 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the handle further comprises an end effector actuator coupled to the second control member. 
     
     
         88 . A method for treating tissue, comprising:
 inserting an end effector through a naturally occurring body lumen along a tortuous path to a target site within a living body, the end effector being coupled to a deflection mechanism, the deflection mechanism including a proximal portion coupled to the distal end of the insertion member and a distal portion pivotally coupled to the proximal portion;   moving a first control member relative to the insertion member to deflect the distal portion of the deflection mechanism relative to the proximal portion to aim the end effector; and   moving a second control member relative to the insertion member to actuate the end effector wherein, when in the deflected configuration, the first control member extends out of the deflection mechanism via side gaps in the proximal and distal portions.   
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein actuating the end effector includes a grasper. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 88 , further comprising applying a current to the end effector via one of the first and second control members. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein a proximal end of the insertion member coupled to a handle including a central shaft. 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein the handle includes a deflection actuator coupled to the first control member, further comprising sliding the deflection actuator relative to the central shaft of the handle to actuate the deflection mechanism. 
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein the handle includes an end effector actuator coupled to the second control member for actuating the end effector. 
     
     
         94 . A deflection mechanism for an end effector assembly coupled to a flexible insertion member, comprising:
 a proximal portion defining a first lumen extending therethrough, the proximal portion including a proximal end gap extending proximally from a distal end of the proximal portion along a portion of a length thereof;   a distal portion a proximal end of which is pivotally coupled to a distal end of the proximal portion, the distal portion defining a second lumen extending therethrough and including a distal end gap extending distally from the proximal end of the distal portion along portion of a length thereof, wherein the proximal and distal portions are movable relative to one another between a longitudinal configuration in which the first and second longitudinal axes are substantially aligned and a deflected configuration in which the first and second longitudinal axes are angled with respect to one another; and   a control member extending through the proximal and distal portions and coupled to a distal end of the distal portion such that the deflector member extends along the first and second longitudinal axes in the longitudinal configuration and passes out of the proximal and distal portions through the proximal and distal end gaps in the deflected configuration.