Medical system with over-tube

• US 20050222495A1
• Filed: 03/30/2005
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Matsui, Raifu, Okada, Yuta, Sekine, Ryuta
• Application Number:
  US11/093,824
• Publication Number:
  US 20050222495A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0008 characterised by distal tip features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00149 using articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2906 Multiple forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/347 Locking means, e.g. for locking instrument in cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms

Abstract

In a medical system including an over-tube for inserting a tool, the medical system includes a restraining mechanism for restraining at least one of a relative movement between the tool to be inserted through the over-tube and the over-tube and a relative movement between the over-tube and the body cavity. The restraining mechanism includes a mechanism for engaging the tool with the distal end of the over-tube, a mechanism for supporting the over-tube outside the body cavity, and a mechanism for connecting the endoscope to the distal end of the over-tube. When engaging the tool with the distal end of the over-tube, a resilient strip or a balloon can be used. When supporting the over-tube outside the body cavity, at least two holders can be used.

Claims

1. A medical system comprising:

an over-tube for guiding a tool into a body cavity; and

a restraining mechanism for restraining at least one of a relative movement between the tool inserted through the over-tube and the over-tube and a relative movement between the over-tube and the body cavity.

2. A medical system according to claim 1, wherein the restraining mechanism comprises:

an engagement mechanism provided at a distal portion of the over-tube for releasably engaging the tool inserted through the over-tube with the over-tube; and

an operating mechanism for operating engagement and release of the engagement mechanism.

3. A medical system according to claim 2, wherein the operating mechanism is provided on a proximal side of the over-tube.

4. A medical system according to claim 2, wherein the engagement mechanism comprises:

a resilient strip disposed at the distal portion of the over-tube; and

a pressing member for pressing the resilient strip against the tool inserted through the over-tube.

5. A medical system according to claim 4, wherein the resilient strip engages the tool by being deformed by depression by the pressing member, and releases the engagement by being restored by releasing of the depression.

6. A medical system according to claim 5, wherein the pressing member presses the resilient strip and releases depression from the resilient strip by sliding movement along the inner wall of the over-tube, and wherein the operating mechanism operates the sliding movement of the pressing member.

7. A medical system according to claim 2, wherein the engagement mechanism includes a balloon disposed at the distal end of the over-tube.

8. A medical system according to claim 7, wherein the operating mechanism feeds and discharges fluid to and from the balloon.

9. A medical system according to claim 2, wherein the operation of the operating mechanism is transmitted to the engagement mechanism via a wire.

10. A medical system according to claim 2, wherein the operation of the operating mechanism is transmitted to the engagement mechanism via a tube through which the fluid is fed and discharged.

11. A medical system according to claim 2, wherein the over-tube includes a plurality of channels through which a plurality of tools can be inserted, and wherein the engagement mechanism is provided in at least one of the channels.

12. A medical system according to claim 11, wherein the engagement mechanism is provided in at least two of the plurality of channels and each of the at least two of the plurality of channels is provided with a respective engagement mechanism which can be operated independently of each other.

13. A medical system according to claim 1, wherein the restraining mechanism comprises:

a supporting device for supporting the over-tube outside the body cavity.

14. A medical system according to claim 13, wherein the supporting device comprises a first holder for supporting the tool at a first portion thereof and a second holder for supporting the tool at a second portion thereof.

15. A medical system according to claim 14, wherein the first portion is a midsection portion of the tool and the second portion is a proximal portion of the tool.

16. A medical system according to claim 14, wherein the supporting device further comprises a first supporting position adjusting mechanism being capable of changing the supporting position of the over-tube by the first holder.

17. A medical system according to claim 14, wherein the supporting device further comprises a second supporting position adjusting mechanism being capable of changing the supporting position of the over-tube by the second holder.

18. A medical system according to claim 14, wherein the supporting device can change the relative position of the first holder and the second holder.

19. A medical system according to claim 18, further comprising an applying mechanism for applying a fixing force for determining and fixing the position of the second holder with respect to the first holder and a releasing mechanism for releasing the fixing force.

20. A medical system according to claim 19, further comprising an operating mechanism for selectively operating the applying mechanism and the releasing mechanism.

21. A medical system according to claim 1, wherein the medical system comprises an endoscope as the tool, and wherein the restraining mechanism is a connecting member for connecting the distal portion of the over-tube and the distal portion of the endoscope.

22. A medical system according to claim 1, wherein the tool to be inserted through the over-tube includes the endoscope.

23. A medical system according to claim 1, wherein the tool to be inserted through the over-tube includes an instrument insertion guide tube.

24. A method of inserting a tool into a body cavity in a medical system having an over-tube, the method comprising:

inserting an endoscope through the over-tube outside the body cavity and causing at least part of an insertion portion of the endoscope to project from a distal end of the over-tube;

inserting the endoscope into the body cavity;

inserting the over-tube into the body cavity along with the insertion portion of the endoscope;

inserting an instrument insertion guide tube into a channel of the over-tube and causing a distal end of the instrument insertion guide tube to project into the body cavity from the distal end of the over-tube;

inserting the tool into the body cavity through at least one of the instrument insertion guide tube and endoscope; and

fixing at least one of the instrument insertion guide tube and the endoscope relative to the over-tube.