Colonoscope guide and method of use for improved colonoscopy
First Claim
1. A method of using an endoscope and a guide having an elongated body member with a handle at a proximal end to perform a colonoscopy in a colon, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) inserting a tip of the endoscope into the colon through the anus;
b) advancing the endoscope in the colon;
c) withdrawing the endoscope to reduce or straighten a loop in the sigmoid colon;
d) introducing a distal end of the body member into the rectum generally along the endoscope with an inner side of said body member substantially adjacent or against the endoscope;
e) advancing the inner side of the body member along the endoscope;
f) tilting the body member of the guide to direct the endoscope towards the descending colon; and
g) advancing the endoscope against the body member in the colon to perform the colonoscopy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A guide and method for tilting a colonoscope in the rectum during a colonoscopy to attain a favorable direction for advancement of the scope through the colon. The guide comprises an at least partially rigid, elongated body member that, preferably, is attached to a handle at its proximal end. The body member can have a flat or curved cross-section. One or more ring members can be provided along the length of the body member to receive the scope and maintain the guide in close abutting relation therewith. The ring members can be slotted to allow side-loading of the guide onto the scope. Alternatively, a rigid or graduated rigid tubular member can be part of the guide member. An injection port allows injection of a lubricant. By tilting the colonoscope at various difficult stages of a colonoscopy, sigmoid looping is minimized to facilitate advancing the scope through the colon.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of using an endoscope and a guide having an elongated body member with a handle at a proximal end to perform a colonoscopy in a colon, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) inserting a tip of the endoscope into the colon through the anus; b) advancing the endoscope in the colon; c) withdrawing the endoscope to reduce or straighten a loop in the sigmoid colon; d) introducing a distal end of the body member into the rectum generally along the endoscope with an inner side of said body member substantially adjacent or against the endoscope; e) advancing the inner side of the body member along the endoscope; f) tilting the body member of the guide to direct the endoscope towards the descending colon; and g) advancing the endoscope against the body member in the colon to perform the colonoscopy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of using an endoscope and a guide having an elongated body member with a handle at a proximal end and means for engaging the endoscope at or near a distal end to perform a colonoscopy in a colon, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) inserting a tip of the endoscope into the colon through the anus; b) advancing the endoscope in the colon; c) with the tip of the endoscope in the sigmoid colon or beyond, withdrawing the endoscope to reduce or straighten a loop in the sigmoid colon; d) placing the engaging means over the endoscope outside the anus; e) introducing the distal end of the body member into the rectum generally along the endoscope with the endoscope disposed in the engaging means so as to place an inner side of the body member substantially adjacent to or abutting the endoscope; f) advancing the inner side of the body member along the endoscope; g) manipulating the handle to tilt the body member to direct the endoscope towards the descending colon; and h) advancing the endoscope against the body member in the colon to perform the colonoscopy. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of using an endoscope and a guide having an elongated body member with a handle at a proximal end and means for engaging the endoscope at or near a distal end to perform a colonoscopy in a colon, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) inserting the endoscope through the engaging means; b) moving the guide towards the proximal end of the endoscope; c) inserting a tip of the endoscope into the colon through the anus; d) advancing the endoscope in the colon; e) withdrawing the endoscope to reduce or straighten a loop in the sigmoid colon; f) sliding the distal end of the body member to the anus; g) introducing the body member into the rectum generally along the endoscope with the endoscope disposed in the engaging means to place an inner side of the body member substantially adjacent to or against the endoscope; h) advancing the inner side of the body member along the endoscope; i) manipulating the handle to tilt the body member to direct the endoscope towards the descending colon; and j) advancing the endoscope against the body member through the colon to perform the colonoscopy. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of using an endoscope and a guide having an elongated body member with a handle at a proximal end and means for engaging the endoscope at or near a distal end to perform a colonoscopy in a colon, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) inserting the body member of the guide into the colon through the anus; b) inserting a tip of the endoscope into the colon through the anus; c) tilting the body member to direct the endoscope towards the descending colon; and d) advancing the endoscope in the colon against an inner side of the body member to perform the colonoscopy. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification