ENDOSCOPE FOR DIRECT VISUALIZATION OF THE SPINE AND EPIDURAL SPACE

摘要

The system 10 for directly visualizing the spine includes a catheter 12 and an optical fiber bundle 20 disposed within the catheter 12 connected to the light source and the camera. The optical bundle is coupled to the base end of the catheter to allow rotation of the bundle relative to the catheter. The device for deflecting the catheter tip provides various viewing angles 13 for the optical fiber bundle and helps to adjust the catheter orientation through the spinal space. The device includes a deflection wire 57 extending through the catheter and fixed to its distal end 83. The base end of the deflection wire is secured to a sleeve 58 that is slidably disposed around the catheter such that the catheter and deflection wire are in contact with the stop surface 59 when moved. The stop surface prevents other movement of the catheter and creates tension in the wire between the catheter's wire anchor and the sleeve, whereby the catheter tip bends in the fixed direction.