Propulsion of a probe in the colon using a flexible sleeve

• US 20030105386A1
• Filed: 10/09/2002
• Published: 06/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker GI Ltd. (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Stryker GI Ltd. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Levin, Victor, Oz, Dan, Bernat, Giora, Bar-Or, Yackov, Voloshin, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,988,988 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00151 using everted tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0119 Eversible catheters

Abstract

An endoscopic apparatus including an internal unit, adapted to be advanced into a gastrointestinal tract of a patient so as to enable inspection of the tract, an anchor unit, adapted to be held in a position outside the gastrointestinal tract and a flexible sleeve, having a proximal end fixed to the anchor and a distal end fixed to the internal unit, wherein at least a portion of the sleeve between the proximal end distal ends is held initially in a compact state at the internal unit and is arranged to feed out from the internal unit as the internal unit is advanced into the gastrointestinal tract. A method for endoscopic examination is also disclosed.

Claims

1. Endoscopic apparatus which advances within a lumen, comprising:

a probe having distal and proximal ends; and

a flexible sleeve coupled proximally to the probe, which sleeve is inflated in order to propel the probe within the lumen.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the probe comprises an imaging device, which captures images inside the lumen.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sleeve everts as the probe advances

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sleeve passes around an outer surface of the probe and everts over a retaining ring, which holds the sleeve against the outer surface of the probe.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the probe comprises magnetic material, and wherein the retaining ring comprises one or more metal springs, which are held against the probe by magnetic attraction thereto.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an outer portion of the sleeve, which has everted over the ring, is anchored so as to remain substantially stationary relative to a wall of the lumen.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a portion of the sleeve is held at the probe in a compact state and feeds out from the proximal end of the probe as the probe advances.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the probe has a recess adjacent to the proximal end thereof, which contains the sleeve in the compact state

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sleeve is anchored at a position proximal to the probe so that a portion of the sleeve that has been inflated, between the proximal position and the probe, remains substantially stationary relative to a wall of the lumen.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lumen comprises a passage inside the body of a patient.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the passage comprises a portion of the gastrointestinal tract.

12. A method for propelling a probe within a lumen, comprising,

coupling a flexible sleeve to a proximal end of the probe;

and

inflating the sleeve to advance the probe through the lumen.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the sleeve everts as the probe is advanced

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein coupling the sleeve comprises passing the sleeve around an outer surface of the probe and folding the sleeve over a retaining ring, which holds the sleeve against the outer surface of the probe.

15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, and comprising anchoring an everted, outer portion of the sleeve so as to remain substantially stationary relative to a wall of the lumen

16. A method according to claim 12, wherein coupling the sleeve comprises holding a portion of the sleeve in a compact state at the proximal end of the probe, so that the sleeve feeds out from the proximal end as the probe advances

17. A method according to any of claims 12-14, wherein the lumen comprises the gastrointestinal tract of a patient.