ENDOSCOPIC TRANSLUMENAL FLEXIBLE OVERTUBE
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use with an endoscope, the apparatus comprising:
- a flexible overtube comprising a proximal end and a distal end defining a hollow lumen therebetween to receive a flexible shaft portion of an endoscope therein, the proximal end of the flexible overtube is configured to remain outside of a patient and the distal end is configured to enter the patient through a natural orifice; and
at least one fluid tight seal located at the proximal end to prevent leakage of fluids around the flexible shaft of the endoscope when the flexible shaft of the endoscope is positioned within the flexible overtube.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, system, and method for use with an endoscope are disclosed. A flexible overtube having a proximal end and a distal end defines a hollow lumen therebetween to receive a flexible shaft portion of an endoscope therein. The proximal end of the flexible overtube is configured to remain outside of a patient and the distal end is configured to enter the patient through a natural orifice. At least one fluid tight seal is located at the proximal end of the flexible overtube to prevent leakage of fluids around the flexible shaft of the endoscope when the flexible shaft of the endoscope is positioned within the flexible overtube. The system further includes a flexible endoscope. The method includes introducing the system into a patient though a natural orifice of the patient and performing an endoscopic translumenal procedure.
275 Citations
26 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for use with an endoscope, the apparatus comprising:
-
a flexible overtube comprising a proximal end and a distal end defining a hollow lumen therebetween to receive a flexible shaft portion of an endoscope therein, the proximal end of the flexible overtube is configured to remain outside of a patient and the distal end is configured to enter the patient through a natural orifice; and at least one fluid tight seal located at the proximal end to prevent leakage of fluids around the flexible shaft of the endoscope when the flexible shaft of the endoscope is positioned within the flexible overtube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A flexible endoscopic translumenal overtube system, comprising:
-
a flexible endoscope comprising a flexible shaft; and a flexible overtube comprising a proximal end and a distal end defining a hollow lumen therebetween to receive the flexible shaft of an endoscope therein, the proximal end of the flexible overtube is configured to remain outside of a patient and the distal end is configured to enter the patient through a natural orifice; and at least one fluid tight seal located at the proximal end to prevent leakage of fluids around the flexible shaft of the endoscope when the flexible shaft of the endoscope is positioned within the flexible overtube. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method of using a flexible endoscopic translumenal overtube system, the method comprising:
-
positioning a flexible shaft of an endoscope within a hollow lumen defined by a flexible overtube; placing the flexible overtube and the flexible shaft of the endoscope into a patient through a natural orifice of the patient; puncturing an organ wall using a needle advanced through a working channel of the endoscope; dilating the puncture site and forming an opening by inflating a balloon positioned simultaneously in the tissue and partially inside the distal end of the flexible overtube; and advancing the flexible overtube and the endoscope through the dilated opening in the organ wall of the patient.
-
-
21. A flexible trocar apparatus for use with an endoscope, the apparatus comprising:
-
a flexible overtube comprising a proximal end and a distal end defining a hollow lumen therebetween to receive a flexible shaft portion of an endoscope therein, the proximal end of the flexible overtube is configured to remain outside of a patient and the distal end is configured to enter the patient through a natural orifice; at least one fluid tight seal located at the proximal end to prevent leakage of fluids around the flexible shaft of the endoscope when the flexible shaft of the endoscope is positioned within the flexible overtube; a segment that is passively flexible; and a distal portion that is actively steerable in one plane and passively flexible in the orthogonal planes. - View Dependent Claims (22)
-
-
23. A flexible trocar apparatus for use with an endoscope, the apparatus comprising:
-
a trocar housing at a proximal end comprising at least one fluid tight seal located at the proximal end to prevent leakage of fluids around the flexible shaft of the endoscope when the flexible shaft of the endoscope is positioned within the flexible overtube; a passively flexible overtube portion in a middle portion comprising a proximal end and a distal end defining a hollow lumen therebetween to receive the flexible shaft of an endoscope therein; and an actively articulatable portion at a distal end. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
-
Specification