Space-optimized visualization catheter having a camera train holder in a catheter with off-centred lumens

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for space-optimized visualization catheters are provided. Some embodiments utilize complimentary metal-oxide-semi-conductor (“CMOS”) technology integrated into a CMOS camera train holder system that may be a stand-alone component for use with a visualization catheter, such as a baby endoscope, or may be fabricated/extruded as a part of the catheter itself. Some embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and equivalents thereto provide better direct visual feedback to the medical personnel performing the procedure while providing a similarly-sized outer diameter visualization catheter device having an increased space therein for additional lumens and equipment or by reducing the overall outer diameter of the visualization catheter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A visualization catheter comprising:
 a catheter comprising:
 a proximal catheter portion; 
 a distal catheter portion; 
 a working channel lumen extending through the proximal catheter portion and the distal catheter portion; 
 a cabling lumen extending through the proximal catheter portion and the distal catheter portion and adjacent to the working channel lumen; and 
 a notch disposed into an inner surface of the distal catheter portion, wherein the notch is off-centered from the cabling lumen and connected to the cabling lumen; 
   a camera train holder comprising:
 a proximal camera train holder portion configured to receive a visualization sensor; and 
 a distal camera train holder portion configured to receive a lens stack; 
   wherein the camera train holder is disposed within the notch of the catheter.   
     
     
         2 . The visualization catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising the visualization sensor configured in the proximal camera train holder portion. 
     
     
         3 . The visualization catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the visualization sensor comprises a CMOS sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The visualization catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising the lens stack configured in the distal camera train holder portion. 
     
     
         5 . The visualization catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter further comprises a light lumen extending through the proximal catheter portion and the distal catheter portion. 
     
     
         6 . The visualization catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter further comprises a fluid lumen extending through the proximal catheter portion and the distal catheter portion. 
     
     
         7 . The visualization catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the working channel is configured to exit at a distal side portion of the catheter. 
     
     
         8 . The visualization catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the distal catheter portion is tapered. 
     
     
         9 . The visualization catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the distal catheter portion is tapered; and wherein the working channel is configured to exit at a side portion of the catheter proximal to the taper. 
     
     
         10 . A visualization catheter comprising:
 a catheter comprising:
 a proximal catheter portion; 
 a distal catheter portion comprising a taper; 
 a working channel lumen extending through the proximal catheter portion and the distal catheter portion, wherein the working channel exits at a side of the catheter; 
 a cabling lumen extending through the proximal catheter portion and the distal catheter portion and adjacent to the working channel lumen; and 
 a notch disposed into an inner surface of the distal catheter portion, wherein the notch is off-centered from the cabling lumen and connected to the cabling lumen; 
   a camera train holder comprising:
 a proximal camera train holder portion configured to receive a visualization sensor; and 
 a distal camera train holder portion configured to receive a lens stack; 
 wherein the camera train holder is disposed within the notch of the catheter. 
   
     
     
         11 . The visualization catheter of  claim 10 , further comprising the visualization sensor configured in the proximal camera train holder portion. 
     
     
         12 . The visualization catheter of  claim 11 , wherein the visualization sensor comprises a CMOS sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The visualization catheter of  claim 10 , further comprising the lens stack configured in the distal camera train holder portion. 
     
     
         14 . The visualization catheter of  claim 10 , wherein the catheter further comprises a light lumen extending through the proximal catheter portion and the distal catheter portion. 
     
     
         15 . The visualization catheter of  claim 10 , wherein the catheter further comprises a fluid lumen extending through the proximal catheter portion and the distal catheter portion. 
     
     
         16 . The visualization catheter of  claim 10 , wherein the working channel is configured to exit at a location proximal to the taper. 
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing a visualization catheter comprising:
 extruding a catheter comprising:
 a proximal catheter portion; 
 a distal catheter portion; 
 a working channel lumen extending through the proximal catheter portion and the distal catheter portion; 
 a cabling lumen extending through the proximal catheter portion and the distal catheter portion and adjacent to the working channel lumen; and 
   removing a notch from an inner surface of the distal catheter portion, wherein the notch is off-centered from the cabling lumen and connected to the cabling lumen;   providing a camera train holder comprising:   a proximal camera train holder portion configured to receive a visualization sensor; and   a distal camera train holder portion configured to receive a lens stack;   coupling the camera train holder into the notch of the catheter.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising coupling a visualization sensor to the camera train holder. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising coupling a lens stack to the camera train holder. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising directing an electrical cable through the cabling lumen of the catheter.