Hysteroscopes with curved tips

Abstract

A hysteroscope includes a shaft comprising an optics channel, an operating channel, and fluid circulating channels, wherein a distal section of the shaft has a bent section, and wherein the bent section has a deflection angle of about 5-40 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the remaining section of the shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hysteroscope, comprising:
 a shaft defining one or more channels, the shaft including a straight section and a distal section that is a preformed bent section having a fixed deflection angle with respect to the straight section, the distal section terminating in a distal end of the shaft;   a housing attached to the shaft,   a light source connector integrated with the housing, the light source connector operably connected to the distal end of the shaft by way of one of the one or more channels; and   a viewing portion attached to the housing, the viewing portion operably connected to the distal end of the shaft by way of one of the one or more channels.   
     
     
         2 . The hysteroscope of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is made of a rigid material. 
     
     
         3 . The hysteroscope of  claim 1 , wherein the viewing portion is positioned further away from the distal end of the shaft than the light source connector. 
     
     
         4 . The hysteroscope of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed deflection angle of the bent section of the shaft is in a fixed curve direction and the light source connector is located on the housing in the curve direction. 
     
     
         5 . The hysteroscope of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more channels includes an optics channel operably connected to the light source connector to provide light at the distal end of the shaft with the light source connector. 
     
     
         6 . The hysteroscope of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more channels includes an optics channel operably connected the viewing portion to allow viewing out the distal end of the shaft with the viewing portion. 
     
     
         7 . The hysteroscope of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more channels includes an optics channel operably connected to the light source connector and operably connected to the viewing portion to provide light at the distal end of the shaft with the light source connector and allowing viewing out the distal end of the shaft with the viewing portion. 
     
     
         8 . The hysteroscope of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more channels includes a fluid inflow channel and the housing defines a fluid inlet operably connected to the fluid inflow channel for supplying fluid to the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The hysteroscope of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more channels includes an operating channel configured for introduction of a device therethrough. 
     
     
         10 . The hysteroscope of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more channels have a central longitudinal axis parallel to and spaced a distance from a central longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The hysteroscope of  claim 1 , wherein the housing and shaft are of unitary construction. 
     
     
         12 . The hysteroscope of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft has an outside diameter of about 4-7 mm and a length of about 200-250 mm, wherein the bent section is about 20-35 mm long, and the deflection angle is about 10-30 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The hysteroscope of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft has an outside diameter of about 5.3 mm and a length of about 220 mm, wherein the bent section is about 26 mm long, and the deflection angle is about 22 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . A hysteroscope, comprising:
 a shaft defining a fluid channel, an operating channel, and an optics channel, the shaft including a straight section and a distal section that is a preformed bent section having a fixed deflection angle with respect to the straight section, the distal section terminating in a distal end of the shaft;   a housing attached to the shaft, the housing defining a fluid inlet operably connected to the fluid channel, and an operating inlet operably connected to the operating channel;   a light source connector integrated with the housing, the light source connector operably connected to the optics channel; and   a viewing portion attached to the housing, the viewing portion operably connected to the optics channel.   
     
     
         15 . The hysteroscope of  claim 14 , wherein the shaft is made of a rigid material. 
     
     
         16 . The hysteroscope of  claim 14 , wherein the viewing portion is positioned further away from the distal end of the shaft than the light source connector. 
     
     
         17 . The hysteroscope of  claim 14 , wherein the fluid inlet is positioned further away from the distal end of the shaft than the operating inlet. 
     
     
         18 . A hysteroscope, comprising:
 a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft defining a fluid inflow channel and an optics channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the proximal end including a straight section and the distal end including a bent section having a fixed deflection angle with respect to the straight section;   a housing attached to the shaft, the housing defining a fluid inlet operably connected to the fluid inflow channel; and   a connector integrated with the housing and in communication with the optics channel to thereby provide light at the distal end of the shaft;   wherein the shaft is made of rigid material such that the fixed deflection angle of the bent section is maintained in the distal end of the shaft during insertion and manipulation of the shaft within a patient.   
     
     
         19 . The hysteroscope of  claim 18 , and further comprising a viewing portion attached to the housing, the viewing portion in communication with the optics channel to thereby allow viewing out the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The hysteroscope of  claim 19 , wherein the viewing portion is positioned further away from the distal end of the shaft than the connector.