Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A micro-endoscope assembly for the ablation of tissue from inside breast ducts comprising a cylindrical guide tube having a diameter ranging from 0.5 mm to about 1.2 mm and having an inner wall surface defining an internal cylindrical passageway, a smaller cylindrical tube eccentrically formed in said cylindrical passageway of a smaller diameter than said tube internal cylindrical passageway to receive and guide an endoscope with a handle assembly, said smaller cylindrical tube including an outer wall surface wherein a portion of said outer wall surface is unitary with a portion of the inner wall surface of the cylindrical guide tube, the outer wall surface of the smaller cylindrical tube forming together with the inner wall surface of said cylindrical guide tube at least a second passageway, an endoscope in said smaller cylindrical tube, said at least one second passageway defining a moon shaped port in vertical cross section adapted to provide irrigation and aspiration and further adapted to receive an ablation probe, the probe being mounted for side-to-side movement within said port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A micro-endoscope assembly for the ablation of tissue from inside breast ducts comprising a cylindrical guide tube having a diameter ranging from 0.5 mm to about 1.2 mm and having an inner wall surface defining an internal cylindrical passageway, a smaller cylindrical tube eccentrically formed in said cylindrical passageway of a smaller diameter than said tube internal cylindrical passageway to receive and guide an endoscope with a handle assembly, said smaller cylindrical tube including an outer wall surface wherein a portion of said outer wall surface is unitary with a portion of the inner wall surface of the cylindrical guide tube, the outer wall surface of the smaller cylindrical tube forming together with the inner wall surface of said cylindrical guide tube at least a second passageway, an endoscope in said smaller cylindrical tube, said at least one second passageway defining a moon shaped port in vertical cross section adapted to provide irrigation and aspiration and further adapted to receive an ablation probe, the probe being mounted for side-to-side movement within said port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A micro-endoscope assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ablation probe is cryogenic and creates a temperature of at least 20 degrees Celsius.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A micro-endoscope assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ablation probe provides bipolar desiccation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A micro-endoscope assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ablation probe distributes microwave energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A micro-endoscope assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ablation probe is a laser fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A micro-endoscope assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ablation probe has at least one radio frequency electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A micro-endoscope assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ablation probe distributes ultrasound energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A micro-endoscope assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ablation probe distributes ultrasonic energy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
240 words
A micro-endoscope assembly for the ablation of tissue from the interior of breast ducts comprising a cylindrical guide tube having a diameter ranging from 0.5 mm to about 1.2 mm and having an inner wall surface defining an internal cylindrical passageway, a first cylindrical tube eccentrically formed in said internal cylindrical passageway of a smaller diameter than said guide tube internal cylindrical passageway to receive and guide an endoscope with a handle assembly, said smaller cylindrical tube including an outer wall surface a portion of which is unitary with a portion of the inner wall surface of the cylindrical guide tube, the outer wall surface of the smaller cylindrical tube forming together with the inner wall surface of said cylindrical guide tube at least a second passageway, and an endoscope mounted in said first cylindrical tube, said cylindrical guide tube having a second cylindrical tube of a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical tube positioned between the first cylindrical tube and the inner wall surface of said cylindrical guide tube, said second cylindrical tube having an outer wall surface, opposed portions of which are unitary with a portion of the outer wall surface of the first cylindrical tube and a portion of the inner wall of said cylindrical guide tube respectively and dividing said at least second passageway into two separate divided ports adapted to provide irrigation and aspiration, and an ablation probe moveably mounted within said second cylindrical tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
240 words
A micro-endoscope assembly for the ablation of tissue from the interior of breast ducts comprising a cylindrical guide tube having a diameter ranging from 0.5 mm to about 1.2 mm and having an inner wall surface defining an internal cylindrical passageway, a first cylindrical tube eccentrically formed in said internal cylindrical passageway of a smaller diameter than said guide tube internal cylindrical passageway to receive and guide an endoscope with a handle assembly, said smaller cylindrical tube including an outer wall surface a portion of which is unitary with a portion of the inner wall surface of the cylindrical guide tube, the outer wall surface of the smaller cylindrical tube forming together with the inner wall surface of said cylindrical guide tube at least a second passageway, and an endoscope mounted in said first cylindrical tube, said cylindrical guide tube having a second cylindrical tube of a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical tube positioned between the first cylindrical tube and the inner wall surface of said cylindrical guide tube, said second cylindrical tube having an outer wall surface, opposed portions of which are unitary with a portion of the outer wall surface of the first cylindrical tube and a portion of the inner wall of said cylindrical guide tube respectively and dividing said at least second passageway into two separate divided ports adapted to provide irrigation and aspiration, and an ablation probe moveably mounted within said second cylindrical tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A micro-endoscope assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said ablation probe is cryogenic and creates a temperature of at least 20 degrees Celsius.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A micro-endoscope assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said ablation probe provides bipolar desiccation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A micro-endoscope assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said ablation probe distributes microwave energy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A micro-endoscope assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said ablation probe is a laser fiber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A micro-endoscope assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said ablation probe has at least one radio frequency electrode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A micro-endoscope assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said ablation probe distributes ultrasound energy.