| abstract |
A micromanipulation apparatus 10, for use in endomicroscopy and ablation, comprises an outer tube 15 defining a longitudinal z-axis of the apparatus and an inner tube 16, at least partially disposed within the outer tube. The inner tube has a continuous working channel with an endoscopy probe extending therethrough. A steering mechanism controllably varies the lateral x, y position 17,18 of a distal end of the inner tube, relative to the device z-axis, and an ablation energy delivery device (for example a single electrode 22, Fig 5b or optical fibre and electrical conductor) extends through the apparatus along the z-axis (i.e. along the inner tube, outer tube, or both). A contrast agent delivery mechanism may be included to deliver contrast agent to the distal end of the inner tube via the continuous working channel or via a lumen of the outer tube. The steering mechanism can comprise of a deflection device (e.g. a pair of motor driven deflectable cam surfaces 56, 57 Fig 9) positioned within the outer tube. |