Endoscopic devices and related methods
An endoscopic device includes a single-use cannula configured for insertion through a cervix into a uterus, a camera secured to a distal end region of the single-use cannula for acquiring images of the uterus, a connection hub secured to a proximal end region of the cannula, a reusable display configured to present the images acquired by the camera and that is securable to the connection hub, and a handle secured to the connection hub. The handle is pivotable between a first position in which the handle is stowed along the connection hub and arranged to prevent attachment of the reusable display to the connection hub and a second position in which the handle is deployed to an orientation that is antiparallel to the connection hub and arranged to permit attachment of the reusable display to the connection hub.
1 . An endoscopic device comprising:
a cannula configured for insertion through a cervix into a uterus of a patient;
a camera secured to a distal end region of the cannula for acquiring images of the uterus;
a connection hub secured to and surrounding a proximal end region of the cannula and comprising a first profile;
a display configured to present the images acquired by the camera, the display being securable to a middle portion of the connection hub located distally of a proximal end of the connection hub, and the display being supportable by the connection hub; and
a handle secured to and supported by the connection hub such that the connection hub couples the cannula to the handle, the handle defining a gripping portion by which the handle is configured to be grasped by a user during a surgery for positioning the endoscopic device with respect to the patient during the surgery, the gripping portion comprising a channel having a second profile that is formed complimentary to the first profile of the connection hub for surrounding at least a lower outer surface area and opposing lateral surface areas of the connection hub for stowing the handle along a length of the connection hub,
wherein the gripping portion is pivotable toward the proximal end of the connection hub to stow the handle along the length of the connection hub.
2 . The endoscopic device of claim 1 , wherein, in a stowed position along the connection hub, the handle is arranged to prevent the display from attaching to the connection hub.
3 . The endoscopic device of claim 2 , wherein, when the handle is in the stowed position, the endoscopic device is operable for performing the surgery without the display being attached to the connection hub.
4 . The endoscopic device of claim 1 , wherein the handle is pivotable away from the connection hub to a position that permits attachment of the display to the connection hub.
5 . The endoscopic device of claim 4 , wherein the connection hub comprises a housing by which the endoscopic device can be grasped when the handle is in the position to manipulate the cannula.
6 . The endoscopic device of claim 1 , wherein the second profile comprises an interior profile of the handle, and wherein the first profile comprises an exterior profile of the connection hub.
7 . The endoscopic device of claim 1 , wherein the connection hub comprises a first recess and a second recess, and wherein the handle comprises a protrusion that is configured to mate with one of the first and second recesses at a time to respectively lock the handle in a stowed position along the connection hub or a gripping position in which the handle has pivoted away from the connection hub.
8 . The endoscopic device of claim 1 , further comprising internal electronics configured to implement wireless communication.
9 . The endoscopic device of claim 1 , further comprising internal electronics that are programmed to initiate presentation of one or more graphical user interfaces (GUIs) on the display.
10 . The endoscopic device of claim 1 , wherein the display is a first display, and wherein the endoscopic device is configured to transmit data wirelessly to a second display that is separate from the first display.
11 . The endoscopic device of claim 1 , wherein the handle is a single-use handle.
12 . The endoscopic device of claim 1 , wherein the handle is pivotably secured to the connection hub.
13 . The endoscopic device of claim 1 , wherein the connection hub, secured to the proximal end region of the cannula, comprises a grip by which the endoscopic device is manipulable when the handle has been pivoted away from the connection hub.
14 . The endoscopic device of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the connection hub remains exposed along an axial length of the connection hub when the second profile surrounds the first profile of the connection hub in a stowed position of the handle along the connection hub.
15 . The endoscopic device of claim 1 , wherein the display is securable directly to the connection hub and removable from the connection hub.
16 . The endoscopic device of claim 1 , wherein the middle portion of the connection hub comprises opposing flanges, and wherein the display comprises an attachment piece that is configured to slide along the opposing flanges to form a secure connection between the display and the connection hub.
17 . An endoscopic system comprising:
an endoscopic device, comprising:
a cannula configured for insertion through a cervix into a uterus of a patient,
a camera secured to a distal end region of the cannula for acquiring images of the uterus,
a connection hub secured to and surrounding a proximal end region of the cannula and comprising a first profile,
a display configured to present the images acquired by the camera, the display being securable to a middle portion of the connection hub located distally of a proximal end of the connection hub, and the display being supportable by the connection hub, and
a handle secured to and supported by the connection hub such that the connection hub couples the cannula to the handle, the handle defining a gripping portion by which the handle is configured to be grasped by a user during a surgery for manipulating positioning the endoscopic device with respect to the patient during the surgery, the gripping portion comprising a channel having a second profile that is formed complimentary to the first profile of the connection hub for surrounding at least a lower outer surface area and opposing lateral surface areas of the connection hub for stowing the handle along a length of the connection hub;
wherein the gripping portion is pivotable toward the proximal end of the connection hub to stow the handle along the length of the connection hub; and
a docking station configured to mate with the display of the endoscopic device.
18 . A method of examining a uterus, the method comprising:
adjusting a position of a handle of an endoscopic device with respect to a connection hub of the endoscopic device to stow the handle along the connection hub or to remove the handle from a stowed position along the connection hub, the endoscopic device comprising a display that is securable to a middle portion of the connection hub located distally of a proximal end of the connection hub, the handle defining a gripping portion by which the handle is configured to be grasped by a user during a surgery for positioning the endoscopic device with respect to a patient during the surgery, and the gripping portion comprising a channel having a first profile that is formed complimentary to a second profile of the connection hub for surrounding at least a lower outer surface area and opposing lateral surface areas of the connection hub for stowing the handle along a length of the connection hub, wherein the gripping portion is pivotable toward the proximal end of the connection hub to stow the handle along the length of the connection hub;
inserting a cannula of the endoscopic device through a cervix into the uterus, a proximal end region of the cannula being secured to and surrounded by the connection hub such that the cannula extends from a distal end region of the connection hub, and the handle being secured to and supported by the connection hub such that the connection hub couples the cannula to the handle; and
acquiring images of the uterus with a camera of the endoscopic device that is secured to a distal end region of the cannula.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising presenting the images on the display.
20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising, while the cannula is disposed within the uterus, examining the uterus using the images without the display being attached to the connection hub.
21 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising transmitting data wirelessly from the endoscopic device to a display that is separate from the endoscopic device.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the display comprises a tablet.
23 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising pivoting the handle away from the connection hub to a position that permits attachment of the display to the connection hub.
24 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising grasping a housing of the connection hub to manipulate the cannula.
25 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising surrounding the connection hub with the handle.