Track for medical devices

• US 20060258907A1
• Filed: 05/13/2005
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Stefanchik, David, Applegate, Rick D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,615,003 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/121
• 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 1/012 characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3415 for introducing tubes or catheters, e.g. gastrostomy tubes, drain catheters A61B17/3417 takes precedence; body piercing catheter guide needles A61M25/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3431 being collapsible, e.g. made of thin flexible material A61B17/3423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00278 Transorgan operations, e.g. transgastric

Abstract

A medical apparatus and method useful for positioning one or more members within the gastro-intestinal tract is disclosed. The medical apparatus can include a track supported on a sheath sized to receive an endoscope, and a carrier slidable with respect to the track. A feeding tube accessory adapted to slidably engage the carrier is disclosed.

Claims

1. A medical apparatus comprising:

a sheath sized to receive an endoscope; and

a track disposed along a length of the sheath, wherein at least one portion of the track is formed to have a greater flexibility than another portion of the track.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a relatively more flexible portion of the track is positioned distally of a relatively less flexible portion of the track.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track comprises at least three regions, wherein each region has a flexibility different from an adjacent region.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the track is interrupted at intervals to reduce bending stiffness.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein track has interruptions on one portion of the track which are staggered with respect to interruptions on another portion of the track.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the track comprises a plurality of slits.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the track comprises a plurality of staggered slits.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the track comprises a plurality of slits which extend partially, but not completely, across the width of the track.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least some of the slits extend across a centerline of the track.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track is formed such that axial loads directed along the length of the track result in bending of spaced apart portions of the track.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track is elastically extensible in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sheath.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the track comprises a plurality of laterally extending portions for maintaining the track in a desired orientation with respect to an endosope disposed within the sheath.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the axial flexibility of the track varies along the length of the track.

13. A medical apparatus comprising:

a sheath sized to receive an endoscope, wherein the sheath has substantially no torsional stiffness; and

a track disposed along a length of the sheath, wherein the track is formed to maintain a radial orientation of the track with respect to an endscope disposed within the sheath.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the bending flexibility of the track varies along the length of the track.

16. A medical apparatus comprising:

a sheath sized to receive an endoscope, the sheath having substantially no torsional stiffness;

an endcap disposed at a distal end of the sheath; and

a track disposed along a length of the sheath.

17. The medical apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least one portion of the track is formed to have a greater flexibility than another portion of the track.

18. The medical device of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of the track configured to not provide a direct axial load path.

19. The medical device of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of the track comprises a plurality of slits.

20. The medical device of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of the track comprises a plurality of laterally extending tabs for supporting the track on the sheath.

21. A medical apparatus comprising:

a track adapted to be disposed along the outside of an endoscope, wherein at least one portion of the track is formed to have a greater flexibility than another portion of the track.

22. The medical device of claim 21 wherein the track has a distal end associated with an endcap.

23. The medical device of claim 21 wherein the track has a proximal end associated with a handle.

24. The medical device of claim 21 wherein at least a portion of the track is interrupted at spaced apart locations.

25. The medical device of claim 21 wherein at least a portion of the track has a plurality of spaced apart slits.

26. The medical device of claim 21 wherein at least a portion of the track has a plurality of spaced apart slits, and wherein at least some of the slits extend through the full thickness of track.

27. The medical device of claim 22 wherein at least a portion of the track has a plurality of spaced apart slits, and wherein at least some of the slits extend at least halfway across a width of the track.