the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings , in which some , but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown . indeed , these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein ; rather , these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements . like numbers refer to like elements throughout . with reference to fig1 , a device for removing a stone from a body cavity that is in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and designated with reference number 10 . the device 10 comprises an elongate member 12 having a distal portion 14 and a proximal portion 16 . the interior of the elongate member 12 includes a longitudinally extending conduit 18 ( represented by the dashed lines in fig1 ) that extends from a port 20 located towards the proximal portion 16 of the elongate member 12 and an opening 22 disposed at the distal portion 14 of the elongate member 12 . the conduit is configured to provide communication between the port and the opening . the elongate member comprises a passively flexible material so that the device can be inserted and directed through a patient &# 39 ; s body cavity , such as the ureter , with minimal , if any , additional mechanical or steering mechanisms that are present in conventional ureteroscopes and cystoscopies . in other words , the term passively flexible means that the elongate material has sufficient flexibility so that it can be maneuvered through the ureter , or other body cavity , without the need for additional steering devices or associated mechanical structures . as a result , the diameter of the elongate member can be significantly reduced in comparison to conventional ureteroscopes . suitable materials for the elongate member may include a wide variety of polymers including silicone rubber , nitinol , nylon , polyurethane , and polyethylene terephthalate ( pete ) latex , polytetrafluoroethylene ( teflon ®), hydrophilic polymers , and thermoplastic elastomers . in one particular embodiment , the elongate member comprises a flexible silicone material . it should be recognized that in some embodiments , the elongate member may include some minimal steering devices and associated structures provided that the minimal size and flexibility of the device is maintained . turning now to fig2 a and 2b , a partial view of the elongate member is shown . as shown in fig2 a , the diameter d 1 ( or width ) of the elongate member is generally less than about 2 . 5 millimeters ( mm ), and in particular is about 2 mm or less . in some embodiments , the diameter d 1 is from about 1 . 7 to 2 . 2 mm , and more particularly , about 2 mm . the diameter d 2 ( or width ) of the conduit 18 is desirably large enough to allow for irrigation as well as the insertion of a guide wire or laser fiber . in some embodiments , the diameter d 2 is less than 1 . 25 mm , and preferably less than about 1 mm , and more preferably , about 0 . 7 to 1 mm , with a size of about 1 mm being most preferred . the overall length of the elongate member is desirably sufficient so that it can be inserted and directed to a desired location in a body cavity . for example , in applications directed to the removal of a kidney stone in the ureter , the length of the elongate member may range from about 35 to 55 centimeters ( cm ), and in particular , about 40 to 45 cm . the distal portion of the elongate member defines a tip portion 24 of the device in which an optical device 26 , such as a charged coupled device ( ccd ), camera , or optical fiber , and a light source 28 is positioned . in this regard , fig2 b shows a front view of the medical device 10 in which the light source 28 and optical device 26 are positioned in the tip portion 24 of the elongate member . the optical device and light source will typically be connected to an external power source , control device ( e . g ., a processor ) via one or more connectors , such as wires , that extend through one or more additional conduits ( not shown ) that extend longitudinally through the elongate member . in the illustrated embodiment , the light source and optical device are shown as being disposed above the opening 22 to the conduit . however , it should be recognized that other configurations may be utilized in the practice of the invention . as shown in fig2 a , the overall diameter d 3 ( or width ) of the optical device may be about 1 to 1 . 5 mm , and in particular , about 1 . 1 to 1 . 3 mm . preferably , the diameter d 3 is about 1 . 2 mm or less . the optical device 26 is generally positioned such that it is located for enabling imaging of forward regions of the body cavity in which the device is positioned . in one embodiment , optical device may be arranged for focusing incident light onto a ccd for generation of a signal which is communicated to an external display , for example a monitor , television or the like . the signal provided by the optical device is preferably digital , although other formats such as analogue signals may be used . in one embodiment , the signal is communicated to the display by conductors such as electrical wires or an optical fiber carrying a modulated signal . other embodiments may include wireless transmission means , for example a miniature radio transmitter , which is adapted to receive a signal from the optical device and transmit the signal through the body of the patient to a receiver located externally of the patient . this embodiment advantageously dispenses with the requirement for electrical conductors to connect the optical device to a display . in still other embodiments , the device may include a transmitter positioned towards a proximal portion of the device , such as in a handle , so that the signal can be transmitted from the transmitter to the display , such as through a radio transceiver or similar device . in this embodiment , the optical device may be connected to the transmitter through conductors , such as electrical wires . in some embodiments , the optical device may comprise an optical fiber . in particular , visualization within the body cavity may be achieved utilizing one or more optic fibers arranged in the same manner as the electrical conductors associated with a ccd . preferably , a bundle of optic fibers will be used . generally , the optic fibers will terminate at the distal tip of the elongate member . in one embodiment , the distal ends of the optical fibers are arranged with one or more lenses held in the casing , for feeding light incident upon the lens into the fibers . the light is transmitted by means of internal reflection along the length of the optical fiber to proximal ends . light processing means , such as processor , disposed at the proximal ends of the optical fibers receive the light and derive therefrom an image for display upon the display device in a manner known to those skilled in the art . the light source is preferably disposed proximate the optical device , or is integral therewith , so as to illuminate the region of the body cavity to be imaged . in exemplary embodiments the light source takes the form of a miniature globe , a diode , or for instance an optical fiber positioned so as to communicate light from an external light source . in the case of optical fibers , the size of a bundle of optical fibers may generally have a diameter from about 0 . 25 to 0 . 6 mm and , in particular , from about 0 . 4 to 0 . 5 mm . referring back to fig1 , the device 10 may include a handle 32 disposed towards the proximal end of the elongate member . the handle may also include an inlet / outlet 34 for one or more conductors , such as wires , for providing power and communications to the light source and optical device . in an alternative embodiment , the handle may include a power source , such as a battery , and a transceiver for facilitating wireless communication between the optical device and an external display device . in one embodiment , the outer surface 36 of the elongate member may include an outer sheath , such as a polymeric coating , that substantially covers the outer surface of the elongate member . in one embodiment , the sheath may comprise a polymer coating including but not limited to such substances as polyurethane ( e . g ., polyurethane 55d and 90a ) or polytetrafluoroethylene , or silicone . in a preferred embodiment , the sheath includes a hydrophilic coating . as noted previously , the conduit 18 is desirably large enough to allow for irrigation as well as the insertion of a guide wire or laser fiber . in particular , the conduit also commonly referred to as a “ working channel ” provides a means through which the body cavity can be irrigated via a saline or similar solution , and means for positioning a laser fiber in close proximity to a stone to be targeted for removal . the port 20 through which access to the conduit is obtained , can be any conventional port , such as a standard luer - lok . in one embodiment , an irrigation tubing can be introduced into the conduit via the port . in some embodiments , the distal portion of the elongate member may be slightly angled so as to provide better maneuvering and positioning of the medical device within the body cavity . in this regard , fig3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the distal portion of the elongate member includes an angled portion 40 that is slightly angled relative to the remaining portion of the elongate member . as shown in fig3 the angle defined by the angled portion is identified as angle α . angle α can generally range from about 3 ° to 8 °, and in particular is about 5 °. with rotational manipulation of the slightly angled tip , the tip may be directed in a 360 ° fashion to address a stone in the lumen of the ureter . advantageously , medical devices in accordance with the present invention can be used to treat patients suffering from kidney stones of less than 20 mm . as a result , the invention may help avoid problems associated with prior treatment methods that typically require hospitalization . in a typical procedure according to the present invention , the patient undergoes conscious sedation ( with or without supplemental oral sedation ) while in the supine position ( male patient ) or lithotomy position ( female patient ). initial endoscopy on the patient is then performed with a standard flexible cystoscope , also using local gel anesthesia as per standard current outpatient or office protocol . the cystoscope is advanced per urethra into the bladder and the bladder is inspected . the location of the stone within the ureter is identified and confirmed . preferably , the location is confirmed by pre - procedural imaging . in some embodiments , it may also be desirable to perform this part of the procedure with the assistance of fluoroscopic imaging . radiographic ( fluoroscopic ) study of the involved ureter may be performed by the gentle retrograde injection of contrast into the ureteral orifice in the bladder through a standard ureteral catheter , such as a 5f catheter ( retrograde ureterogram ). after the stone has been located and identified , a guidewire is advanced through the working channel of the cystoscope . in one particular embodiment , the guidewire ( e . g ., a standard glidewire ®) may be advanced through the previously inserted catheter . preferably the guidewire is a standard 0 . 035 ″ or less ( e . g ., from 0 . 025 ″- 0 . 035 ″) hydrophilic guidewire . once the guidewire is positioned in the desired location relative to the stone , the catheter is removed leaving the guidewire in place . in an alternative embodiment , the cystoscope may also be removed at this time . the device 10 ( also referred to herein as a ureteroscope ) is now passed over the guidewire and into the bladder and up the ureter until the stone is encountered . in a preferred embodiment , positioning of the ureteroscope is assisted with fluoroscopic imaging . the guidewire is now removed and irrigation ( normal saline ) is initiated through the conduit of the ureteroscope . the ureteroscope may be now be manipulated either forward or backward by the surgeon &# 39 ; s hand . rotational manipulation may be achieved by the use of a modified torque device ( e . g ., cook urological ) applied to the ureteroscope . the optical device of the ureteroscope can now be used to obtain images of the patient &# 39 ; s ureter with the assistance of the light source . as noted previously , the optical device is configured to provide images via a display device . by a combination of longitudinal and rotational manipulation , the stone will be engaged in a “ center of mass ” view . once a satisfactory “ sight picture ” is achieved with the optical device wherein the stone is centered in view , a laser fiber ( e . g ., standard 270 micron holmium laser fiber ) will be passed through the conduit of the ureteroscope . with the laser fiber in direct contact with the stone , the laser is activated and fired at standard energy settings ( typically 6 - 10 hz at 600 - 800 mj ). once the stone is fragmented sufficiently , the laser will be discontinued and removed from the ureteroscope . stone fragments may be cleared by passage of a 1 . 9f stone basket through the conduit and withdrawing the fragments into the bladder . at this point , the ureteroscope can be removed from within the patient . in a further aspect of the invention , a ureteral stent ( 6f ) can be positioned in the patient &# 39 ; s ureter . in this aspect , ( the cystoscope is reintroduced if previously removed ) and a guidewire is then passed into the ureter under fluoroscopic imaging . the guidewire is then advanced to the level of the kidney . a ureteral stent ( 6f ) is then passed over the guidewire until a proximal end of the stent is in the kidney , and a distal end of the stent remains in the bladder . at this point the cystoscope is removed and the procedure is completed . generally , it may be desirable to monitor the patient in a holding area for up to one hour and discharged home to follow - up in one week . the stent ensures that the ureter remains patent in the post - procedure period until the patient returns to the office for follow - up . this is typically after one week for a brief removal of the stent in similar fashion using the cystoscope , requiring only local topical gel anesthesia . from the foregoing discussion , it is evident that the present invention provides many advantages over currently available treatment methods for the treatment of kidneys stones . in particular , the availability to surgically treat patients suffering from kidney stones as a non - hospital , truly outpatient procedure may help minimize patient pain and suffering as well as significantly reduce costs typically associated with the surgical treatment of kidney stones . many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings . therefore , it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims . although specific terms are employed herein , they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation .
methods for treating urinary stones in patients using a small outer diameter ureteroscope may help overcome problems associated with conventional methods for removing kidney stones and may minimize patient discomfort , avoid hospitalization and reduce costs associated with more conventional surgical treatments of kidney stones . the methods can be carried out in an outpatient environment such as a urologists &# 39 ; office without requiring general anesthesia .