Device incorporating a hollow element for being positioned along a body cavity of a patient and method of positioning the same
First Claim
1. A method of positioning an elongate hollow element along a body cavity in a patient, wherein the hollow element has a leading region and a trailing region, and the method comprises:
- causing the hollow element to be everted progressively along the hollow element from the leading region thereof such that the hollow element is forced to be increasingly extended and thereby progressively line a surrounding wall defining the body cavity as the trailing region follows along; and
wherein the hollow element self navigates along within the body cavity following a path determined by the surrounding wall defining the body cavity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided apparatus (14) incorporating an elongate hollow element (22) for being positioned along a body cavity of a patient. The hollow element has a leading region and a trailing region and is arranged for being progressively everted along the hollow element from the leading region to thereby be increasingly extended for progressively lining the body cavity as the trailing region follows along. The apparatus generally further comprises an enclosure comprising an insertion head (16) for being inserted into an entrance of the body cavity and a flexible bag (18) in which the hollow element is housed. The hollow element is extended from the insertion head by increasing pressure within the enclosure. Methods for positioning the hollow element along the body are disclosed. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use as a tamponade device for use in the lower gastrointestinal tract for stemming internal bleeding.
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Citations
98 Claims
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1. A method of positioning an elongate hollow element along a body cavity in a patient, wherein the hollow element has a leading region and a trailing region, and the method comprises:
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causing the hollow element to be everted progressively along the hollow element from the leading region thereof such that the hollow element is forced to be increasingly extended and thereby progressively line a surrounding wall defining the body cavity as the trailing region follows along; and
wherein the hollow element self navigates along within the body cavity following a path determined by the surrounding wall defining the body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of positioning an inflatable hollow element in a body cavity of a patient, wherein the hollow element has a leading region and a trailing region, and the method comprises:
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inflating the hollow element to cause the hollow element to be everted progressively therealong from the leading region and thereby be increasingly extended into the body cavity as the trailing region of the hollow element follows along; and
wherein the hollow element is adapted for limiting swelling during the inflation thereof thereby preferentially causing the trailing region to be drawn along. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of examining a patient utilising an elongate hollow element for being positioned along a body cavity of the patient, wherein the hollow element is adapted for facilitating the examination of the patient and has a leading region and a trailing region, and the method comprises:
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causing the hollow element to be everted progressively along the hollow element from the leading region thereof such that the hollow element is forced to be increasingly extended and thereby progressively positioned along the body cavity; and
examining the patient. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of locating an instrument along a body cavity of a patient utilising an elongate hollow element, wherein the instrument is attached to the hollow element and the hollow element has a leading region and a trailing region, and the method comprises:
causing the hollow element to be everted progressively along the hollow element from the leading region thereof such that the hollow element is forced to be increasingly extended and the apparatus thereby increasingly drawn along the body cavity as the trailing region follows along, whereby the instrument is located in position within the body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of applying a substance to a surrounding wall defining a body cavity of a patient utilising a hollow element with an internal surface coated with the substance, wherein the hollow element has a leading region and a trailing region, and the method comprises:
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causing the hollow element to be everted progressively along the hollow element from the leading region thereof such that the hollow element is forced to be increasingly extended and the interior surface of the hollow element thereby brought into contact with the surrounding wall of the body cavity as the surrounding wall is progressively lined with the hollow element and as the trailing region follows along;
wherein the hollow element self navigates along within the body cavity following a path determined by the surrounding wall defining the body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 45)
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38. A method of treating a patient utilising a hollow element for being positioned along a body cavity of a patient and having a leading region and a trailing region, the method comprising:
causing the hollow element to be everted progressively along the hollow element from the leading region thereof such that the hollow element is forced to be increasingly extended and thereby progressively line a surrounding wall defining the body cavity as the trailing region follows along, to thereby effect the treatment. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
- 46. A device incorporating an inflatable hollow element for being positioned along a body cavity of a patient, wherein the hollow element has a leading region and a trailing region and is arranged for being everted progressively along the hollow element from the leading region thereof to thereby be increasingly extended for progressively lining a surrounding wall defining the body cavity as the trailing region follows along, and wherein the hollow element has a substantially constant diameter therealong upon being everted and fully inflated.
- 60. A device incorporating an inflatable hollow element for being positioned along a body cavity of a patient, wherein the hollow element has a leading region and a trailing region and is arranged for being everted progressively along the hollow element from the leading region to thereby be increasingly extended for achieving said positioning in the body cavity as the trailing region of the hollow element follows along, and wherein the hollow element is adapted for limiting swelling during inflation thereof for thereby preferentially causing the trailing region to be drawn along.
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73. Apparatus for being inserted into a body cavity of a patient and comprising:
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an instrument; and
at least one inflatable hollow element having a leading region and a trailing region, and being secured to the instrument;
wherein the hollow element is arranged for being everted progressively from the leading region thereof while being inflated, to thereby be increasingly extended for progressively lining a surrounding wall defining the body cavity and drawing along the instrument as the trailing region follows along behind. - View Dependent Claims (74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81)
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82. Apparatus for being inserted into a body cavity of a patient and comprising:
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an instrument; and
at least one inflatable hollow element secured to the instrument and for being pressed against a surrounding wall defining the body cavity;
wherein the hollow element is arranged for overlying a region of the instrument forward of a location or locations where the hollow element is secured to the instrument, for enabling the hollow element to be progressively everted upon the hollow element being inflated and the instrument being driven along within the body cavity, for thereby facilitating travel of the instrument along within the body cavity. - View Dependent Claims (83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90)
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91. An arrangement incorporating an elongate hollow element for being positioned within a body cavity of a patient, comprising:
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a guide head having a through passageway receiving the hollow element; and
at least one pair of opposed counter rotatable rolls for feeding the hollow element through an opening defined by the through passageway of the guide head;
wherein the hollow element has a leading region and a trailing region and is arranged for being everted progressively along the hollow element from the leading region thereof to thereby be increasingly extended from the guide head for progressively lining the body cavity upon being fed through the opening of the guide head by the counter rotatable rolls. - View Dependent Claims (92, 93)
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94. A method of locating a stent in position along a body cavity of a patient, wherein the stent has a leading region and a trailing region;
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causing the stent to be everted progressively along the stent from the leading region thereof such that the stent is forced to be increasingly extended and thereby progressively line a surrounding wall defining the body cavity as the trailing region follows along. - View Dependent Claims (95, 96)
- and the method comprises;
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97. A stent for being positioned along a body cavity of a patient, wherein the stent has a leading region and a trailing region and is arranged for being everted progressively therealong from the leading region to thereby be increasingly extended for progressively lining a surrounding wall defining the body cavity as the trailing region follows along.
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98. A device for use in treating a patient and comprising:
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an inflatable hollow element; and
a stent having a leading region and a trailing region and which is arranged for being everted progressively therealong from the leading region to thereby be increasingly extended for progressively lining a surrounding wall defining a body cavity as the trailing region follows along;
wherein the stent overlays the hollow element and the hollow element is arranged in an invaginated conformation for causing the stent to be everted for thereby lining the surrounding wall of the body cavity upon the hollow element being inflated.
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Specification