PARTIALLY DISPOSABLE SURGICAL IMAGING ASSEMBLY

摘要

A partially disposable instrument for use in a medical procedure includes a rigid introducer assembly (24) and a fiber-optic endoscope (26) having a flexible shaft (66) which may be removably inserted through the introducer assembly. The introducer assembly permits a fluid to be flushed therethrough and about the shaft such that the fluid exits through a terminal end (40) of the introducer assembly. The instrument may be utilized in connection with a method for positioning a catheter (22) within a body during a medical procedure, including the steps of placing the catheter over the introducer, advancing the catheter, introducer and endoscope shaft into the body as a unit. The catheter includes a slit tip (60) capable of opening to permit the terminal end of the introducer assembly to pass therethrough such that the diameter of the slit tip is not significantly greater than a nominal diameter of the catheter.