Apparatus, System and Method for Performing a Bronchoscopy

Abstract

A system and method for performing a bronchoscopy. The system may include a bronchoscope, a multi-fluid conduit apparatus, and a switching apparatus. The bronchoscope may include an insertion tube having a distal end, a control section, and a working channel. The multi-fluid conduit apparatus may include a first conduit section operably coupled to a vacuum source, a second conduit section operably coupled to an oxygen source, and a third conduit section operably coupled to the working channel, each of the first and second conduit sections being fluidly coupled to the third conduit section. The switching apparatus may include a valve apparatus operably coupled to each of the first and second conduit sections and an actuator apparatus operably coupled to the valve apparatus. The actuator apparatus may alter the valve apparatus between: (1) a suction supply state; and (2) an oxygen supply state.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for switching between fluid sources during a bronchoscopy, the apparatus comprising:
 a base having a first end and a second end;   a first tube coupled to the base and extending from a first end that protrudes a first distance from the first end of the base to a second end that protrudes a second distance from the second end of the base;   a second tube coupled to the base and extending from a first end that protrudes a third distance from the first end of the base to a second end that protrudes a fourth distance from the second end of the base;   an actuator apparatus alterable between: (1) a first state in which the first tube is open and the second tube is closed; and (2) a second state in which the first tube is closed and the second tube is open; and   wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth distances is five feet or less.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  further comprising a first channel formed through the base and a second channel formed through the base, at least a portion of the first tube positioned in the first channel and at least a portion of the second tube positioned in the second channel. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the first and second channels extend from the first end of the base to the second end of the base. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth distances is three feet or less. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth distances is two feet or less. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth distances is one foot or less. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein each of the first and second tubes is a compressible tube. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the first tube extends along a first tube axis and the second tube extends along a second tube axis, the first and second tube axes being parallel, and wherein each of the first and second tubes is radially compressible. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the actuator apparatus comprises a pedal that is pivotably coupled to the base about a pivot axis that is parallel to the first and second axes. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the actuator apparatus comprises a pedal that is pivotably coupled to the base about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the first and second axes. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the first and second tubes are non-detachably fixed to the base and wherein the apparatus is one-time use disposable. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the actuator apparatus comprises:
 a pedal pivotably coupled to the base; 
 a first contact portion; and 
 a second contact portion; 
 wherein in the first state the second contact portion compresses the second tube into occlusion and in the second state the first contact portion compresses the first tube into occlusion; and 
 wherein the actuator apparatus transitions between the first and second states by pivoting the pedal relative to the base. 
 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the pedal is biased into the first state and transitioned from the first state into the second state upon actuation by an operator. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the pedal is operably coupled to the base by a resilient member. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein at least one of the first and second ends of each of the first and second tubes comprises a coupler. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 25  wherein each of the first and second ends of each of the first and second tubes comprises a coupler. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  further comprising a third tube configured to be fluidly coupled to a working channel of a bronchoscope, and wherein the first ends of each of the first and second tubes is fluidly coupled to the third tube. 
     
     
         28 - 91 . (canceled)