Medical apparatus for use with an endoscope

• US 20040230095A1
• Filed: 05/16/2003
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Vakharia, Omar J., Stefanchik, David, Bakos, Gregory J., Linenkugel, Duane A., Bally, Kurt R., Craft, James A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,615,005 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00073 with externally grooved shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0014 Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/012 characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor

Abstract

A guide system for use with an endoscope, and a method of use is disclosed. The guide system can include a track, in the form of a rail, and a mating member for engaging the rail. The guide system can also include an accessory, such as an accessory guide tube through which a medical instrument can be carried external of the endoscope. An end cap can be provided to support the track relative to the distal end of the endoscope.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with an endoscope, the apparatus comprising:

a track; and

an accessory adapted to slide along the track external of the endoscope;

wherein the track is adapted to be associated with the endoscope such that bending of the track is substantially decoupled from bending of the endoscope.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track has a continuous length of at least 50 cm.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track has a continuous length of at least 100 cm.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track is in the form of a rail.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the accessory comprises a passageway for passing a medical instrument.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the accessory is attached to a mating member, and wherein the mating member slidably engages the track.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a mating member in sliding engagement with the track, wherein the mating member has a length substantially equal to or greater than the length of the rail.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track is disposed on a flexible flange.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the flexible flange is joined to a flexible sheath, and wherein the flexible sheath is adapted to receive an endoscope.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track is adapted to assume a curved path different from that of the endoscope with which the track is associated.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track is adapted to assume a curved path outside of the plane of curvature of the endoscope with which the track is associated.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track is adapted to be fixed relative to the endoscope at a proximal position and at a distal position, and wherein the track is adapted to be flexibly supported in spaced relationship from the endoscope intermediate the proximal position and the distal position.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track is adapted to be wound about the endoscope.

12. The apparatus of claim I wherein the track is supported relative to an endoscope such that the track is capable of moving circumferentially with respect to the endoscope.

15. An apparatus for use with an endoscope, the apparatus comprising:

a track adapted to be flexibly supported in spaced relationship from the outer surface of an endoscope; and

a mating member in sliding engagement with the track, the mating member having a length substantially equal to or greater than the length of the track.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising an accessory associated with the mating member.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the accessory comprises a flexible guide tube.

18. The apparatus of 15 comprising a flexible sheath for receiving an endoscope, and wherein the track is supported on a flexible flange extending from the flexible sheath.

19. An apparatus for use with an endoscope, the apparatus comprising:

a flexible sheath for receiving an endoscope;

a track supported on the flexible sheath.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the track has a length at least as long as the insertion length of the endoscope.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising an accessory adapted to slide relative to the track.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a mating member in sliding engagement with the track, wherein the mating member has a length at least as long as the length of the track.

23. A medical apparatus comprising:

a track; and

a track support for supporting the track externally of a medical device;

wherein the track support is adapted to couple the track with a medical device while permitting circumferential motion of the track relative to the medical device.

24. The medical apparatus of claim 23 wherein the track support comprises a flexible flange.

25. The medical apparatus of claim 23 comprising a flexible sheath for receiving a medical device.

26. The medical apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a mating member adapted for sliding engagement with the track.

27. The medical apparatus of claim 26 wherein the mating member has a length substantially equal to or greater than the length of the track.

28. A guide system for accessing an internal portion of a body of a patient, the guide system comprising:

a guide rail;

a rail support for coupling the guide rail to a medical device capable of being introduced into the patient;

a mating member adapted to slidably engage the rail; and

a medical accessory associated with the mating member.

29. The guide system of claim 28 wherein the mating member has a length substantially equal to or greater than the length of the rail.

30. The guide system of claim 28 wherein the rail support comprises a flexible flange.