Apparatus and methods for achieving endoluminal access
First Claim
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1. A method for advancing an endoscope through a body lumen, comprising:
- advancing an endoscope having a steerable distal end and a flexible conduit through the body lumen;
engaging a region of body lumen distal to the flexible conduit via the steerable distal end;
retracting the endoscope relative to the flexible conduit such that a portion of the body lumen is retracted relative to the flexible conduit;
rigidizing the flexible conduit;
disengaging the steerable distal end from the region of body lumen; and
advancing the endoscope relative to the rigidized flexible conduit.
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for pleating at least a portion of a patient'"'"'s body lumen, such as the colon. Pleating is achieved via relative motion between an endoscope and a flexible conduit having an engagement element configured to reversibly engage the body lumen.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for advancing an endoscope through a body lumen, comprising:
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advancing an endoscope having a steerable distal end and a flexible conduit through the body lumen;
engaging a region of body lumen distal to the flexible conduit via the steerable distal end;
retracting the endoscope relative to the flexible conduit such that a portion of the body lumen is retracted relative to the flexible conduit;
rigidizing the flexible conduit;
disengaging the steerable distal end from the region of body lumen; and
advancing the endoscope relative to the rigidized flexible conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for advancing an endoscope through a body lumen, comprising:
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advancing an endoscope having a steerable distal end and a flexible conduit through the body lumen;
engaging a region of body lumen distal to the flexible conduit via the steerable distal end;
retracting the endoscope and the flexible conduit simultaneously such that a portion of the body lumen is retracted relative to the flexible conduit;
advancing the flexible conduit along the endoscope through the body lumen;
rigidizing the flexible conduit;
disengaging the steerable distal end from the region of body lumen; and
advancing the endoscope relative to the rigidized flexible conduit. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for introducing an endoscope into a body lumen, comprising:
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advancing an endoscope having a steerable distal end into the body lumen;
engaging a region of body lumen distal to the flexible conduit via the steerable distal end;
retracting the endoscope relative to the flexible conduit while advancing the flexible conduit along the endoscope into the body lumen;
disengaging the steerable distal end from the region of body lumen; and
advancing the endoscope relative to the flexible conduit. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification