Surgical imaging catheter for confocal microendoscopy with advanced contrast delivery and focus systems

We present a laparoscope for fluorescence confocal microendoscopy specifically designed for microscopic imaging during diagnostic laparoscopic surgery. The catheter consists of a disposable rigid distal tip which houses a flexible microendoscope and dye channel. The laparoscopic tip is a small disposable polycarbonate sheath containing two inner lumens with a glass window on the distal end. The sheath outer diameter suitable for use in a 5mm trocar. The smaller inner lumen provides a channel for delivering fluorescent contrast agents to the tissue through a 200um hole in the glass window. On the proximal end, the smaller lumen is coupled to a computer controlled fluid delivery system that controls the amount of contrast agent dispensed onto the tissue down to a fraction of a micro liter. The main lumen houses the microendoscope. The microendoscope incorporates a computer-controlled focus mechanism that can quickly and accurately focus while correcting for hysteresis. This fluorescence confocal micro-laparoscope will be tested in a small-scale clinical trial on women undergoing oophorectomy in the near future.