Endoscopic instrument having a deflectable distal tool

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure may include a medical device comprising a flexible elongate member including a longitudinal axis and a tool connected to the elongate member at a pivot axis, wherein the tool may be configured to conduct electricity and deliver a fluid, and wherein the tool may be configured to pivot towards either side of the longitudinal axis relative to the elongate member at the pivot axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical device, comprising:
 a flexible elongate member including a longitudinal axis; and   a tool connected to the elongate member at a pivot axis, wherein the tool is configured to conduct electricity and deliver a fluid, and wherein the tool is configured to pivot towards either side of the longitudinal axis relative to the elongate member at the pivot axis.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a positioning mechanism, wherein actuation of the positioning mechanism causes the tool to pivot. 
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the positioning mechanism includes a clevis, a pivoting member held by the clevis and rotatable relative to the clevis, and at least one control member connected to the pivoting member, wherein the tool is operably coupled to the pivoting member. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein the tool is deflected in a first direction when the at least one control member is distally advanced, and the tool is deflected in a second direction opposite the first direction when the at least one control member is proximally retracted. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one control member includes a first control member and a second control member, wherein the tool is deflected in a first direction when the first control member is distally advanced, and the tool is deflected in a second direction opposite the first direction when the second control member is distally advanced. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible delivery tube fluidly coupled to the tool, wherein the delivery tube is configured to deliver fluid to the tool. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 6 , wherein the delivery tube provides an electrical pathway to the tool. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible delivery tube includes a flexible distal portion formed of an inner coil covered by an outer polymeric sheath. 
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one control member is only one control member, and the tool is a hollow tube with a distal opening. 
     
     
         10 . A medical device, comprising:
 a flexible elongate member including a longitudinal axis;   a tool configured to conduct electricity and deliver a fluid; and   a pivoting member coupling the tool to the elongate member, wherein the tool is configured to pivot towards either side of the longitudinal axis relative to the elongate member by actuation of the pivoting member, wherein the pivoting member includes a lumen extending to the tool.   
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 10 , further comprising a flexible delivery tube fluidly coupled to the tool, wherein the delivery tube is configured to deliver fluid to the tool. 
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible delivery tube at least partially extends through the lumen. 
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible delivery tube includes a flexible distal portion formed of an inner coil covered by an outer polymeric sheath. 
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 10 , further comprising a clevis, wherein the pivoting member is held by the clevis and rotatable relative to the clevis. 
     
     
         15 . The medical device of  claim 10 , wherein the pivoting member includes at least one proximally directed tang, and further comprising at least one control member connected to the at least one proximally directed tang. 
     
     
         16 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the tool is deflected in a first direction when the control member is distally advanced, and the tool is deflected in a second direction opposite the first direction when the control member is proximally retracted. 
     
     
         17 . A medical device, comprising:
 a flexible elongate member;   a tool configured to conduct electricity and deliver a fluid;   a pivoting member, wherein the tool is operably coupled to the pivoting member;   a first control member operably coupled to the pivoting member at a first side of the pivoting member; and   a second control member operably coupled to the pivoting member at a second side of the pivoting member opposite the first side, wherein the tool is configured to pivot towards either side of the elongate member by actuation of the first and second control members.   
     
     
         18 . The medical device of  claim 17 , further comprising a flexible delivery tube fluidly coupled to the tool between the first and second sides of the pivoting member, wherein the delivery tube is configured to deliver fluid to the tool. 
     
     
         19 . The medical device of  claim 17 , wherein the tool is deflected in a first direction when the first control member is proximally retracted, and the tool is deflected in a second direction opposite the first direction when the second control member is proximally retracted. 
     
     
         20 . The medical device of  claim 17 , wherein the flexible delivery tube includes a flexible distal portion formed of an inner coil covered by an outer polymeric sheath.