Manual control system for maneuvering an endoscope

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for maneuvering an endoscope (SFME) during a medical procedure, comprising a. at least one maneuvering system, adapted to maneuver said endoscope in at least two degrees of freedom (DOF); and, b. at least one joystick unit in communication with said maneuvering system, adapted to operate said maneuvering system; wherein operation of said joystick results in movement of said endoscope by means of said maneuvering system.

1 . A method for maneuvering an endoscope during a medical procedure comprising steps of:
 a. providing at least one endoscope;   b. providing a system for maneuvering an endoscope (SFME) during said medical procedure, said SFME comprising:
 i. at least one maneuvering system, adapted to maneuver said endoscope in at least two degrees of freedom (DOF); and 
 ii. at least one joystick unit in communication with said maneuvering system, adapted to operate said maneuvering system, the joystick unit comprising a ring removably attachable to a user's finger or to a surgical instrument manually moveable by a user; 
   c. coupling said endoscope to said SFME; and   d. maneuvering said joystick unit,   thereby maneuvering said endoscope and controlling the movements of the same.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising the step of removably attaching the ring to a finger of a user. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising the step of removably coupling the ring to a surgical tool manually moveable by a user. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising a step of selecting said joystick unit to be a force joystick. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising at least one step of selected from a group consisting of (a) selecting said joystick unit such that said joystick unit comprises a base and lever coupled to said base, such that movement of said lever results in movement of said endoscope; further wherein said movement of said lever is proportional to said movement of said endoscope; (b) selecting said joystick unit such that said joystick unit comprises a base and a button jointly connected to said base, such that movement of said button results in movement of said endoscope; further wherein said movement of said button is proportional to said movement of said endoscope; (c) selecting said joystick unit such that said joystick unit comprises a touchscreen, such that a touch and a movement on said touchscreen results in movement of said endoscope; further wherein said touch and movement on said touchscreen is proportional to said movement of said endoscope; (d) selecting said joystick unit comprising at least one sound sensor, adapted to sense predetermined sound patterns; said joystick unit adapted to operate said maneuvering system based on said predetermined sound patterns; and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising a step of providing means adapted to restrain the velocity of said endoscope such that when said means are activated, the velocity of said endoscope is restrained. 
     
     
         7 . A method for maneuvering an endoscope during a medical procedure comprising steps of:
 a. providing at least one endoscope;   b. providing an articulating endoscope including a maneuvering system, adapted to articulate a tip of said endoscope in at least two degrees of freedom (DOF) and at least one joystick unit in communication with said maneuvering system, adapted to operate said maneuvering system, the joystick unit comprising a ring removably attachable to a user's finger or to a surgical instrument manually moveable by a user;   c. introducing said endoscope into a body cavity of a patient; and   d. maneuvering said joystick unit,   thereby articulating said endoscope within the body cavity.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , additionally comprising the step of removably attaching the ring to a finger of a user. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , additionally comprising the step of removably coupling the ring to a surgical tool manually moveable by a user.