APPARATUS FOR OBSERVING THE EPIDURAL REGION SUCH AS DURING EPIDURAL SURGERY

摘要

An apparatus for observing the epidural region such as during epidural surgery is provided that improves visibility in the epidural space of a patient for more effectively conducting therapeutic surgery therein. The apparatus preferably includes a multi-lumen catheter characterized by being adapted for distending a portion of the epidural space of a patient and a fluid source connected to and in fluid communication with a first lumen of the catheter. The fluid source is adapted to be filled with a fluid to be supplied to the epidural space through the fist lumen of the catheter. The apparatus also preferably includes an optical scope positioned within a second lumen of the catheter that supplies the distending fluid into the distended portion of the epidural space and an imaging source connected to the optical scope and adapted to provide a visual image of the epidural space.