VIRTUAL CHANNEL ENABLING DEVICE FOR USE IN ENDOSCOPIC INSTRUMENT INSERTION AND BODY CAVITY CLEANSING
First Claim
1. A sleeve device comprising a thin-walled elongate internal tubular membrane which is suitable for being fitted around the external surface of an elongate medical instrument,wherein at least one longitudinally-disposed inflatable channel having a closed distal end is affixed to the outer surface of said membrane,and wherein each of said inflatable channels is capable of being expanded laterally such that an elongate medical instrument fitted with said sleeve and inserted into a body cavity would become anchored within said cavity, and such that the walls of said inflatable channel(s) would define the boundaries of one or more additional longitudinally-disposed large volume channels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is primarily directed to a sleeve device comprising a thin-walled elongate internal tubular membrane which is suitable for being fitted around the external surface of an elongate medical instrument, wherein at least one longitudinally-disposed inflatable channel having a closed distal end is affixed to the outer surface of said membrane, and wherein each of said inflatable channels is capable of being expanded laterally such that an elongate medical instrument fitted with said sleeve and inserted into a body cavity would become anchored within said cavity, and such that the walls of said inflatable channel(s) would define the boundaries of one or more additional longitudinally-disposed large volume channels.
94 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A sleeve device comprising a thin-walled elongate internal tubular membrane which is suitable for being fitted around the external surface of an elongate medical instrument,
wherein at least one longitudinally-disposed inflatable channel having a closed distal end is affixed to the outer surface of said membrane, and wherein each of said inflatable channels is capable of being expanded laterally such that an elongate medical instrument fitted with said sleeve and inserted into a body cavity would become anchored within said cavity, and such that the walls of said inflatable channel(s) would define the boundaries of one or more additional longitudinally-disposed large volume channels.
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19. A method for cleansing a body cavity comprising the steps of:
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a) fitting a sleeve device around the external surface of an elongate medical instrument, wherein said device comprises a thin-walled elongate internal tubular membrane to the outer surface of which is fixed one or more inflatable channels, and optionally comprises one or more non-inflatable fluid-supply channels; b) insertion of said elongate medical instrument together with the fitted sleeve into a body cavity, and advancement of said instrument until the distal end thereof is situated in the desired region; c) inflation of said inflatable channels, such that said medical instrument becomes anchored within the desired region of the body cavity, and such that longitudinally-disposed large-volume virtual channels are created between said inflatable channels; d) introduction of cleaning fluid into either the large-volume virtual channels or the non-inflatable fluid-supply channels, thereby causing the creating of fluid spray jets through openings located in either said virtual channels or in said fluid-supply channels, such that said fluid spray jets are directed outwardly towards debris located in said body cavity; and e) performing suction of fluid, solid and semi-solid debris and other material from the body cavity; f) deflation of said inflatable channels; and g) optionally, movement of said medical instrument to another location within the body cavity to be cleansed; wherein steps (b) to (g) do not adversely affect the ability of the operator to operate said medical instrument in the normal manner. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method for delivering endoscopic tools and accessories to a desired surgical site and for controlling the location of said tools and accessories at said site, comprising the steps of:
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a) fitting a sleeve device around the external surface of an elongate medical instrument, wherein said device comprises a thin-walled elongate internal tubular membrane to the outer surface of which is fixed one or more inflatable channels, and optionally comprises one or more auxiliary balloons located on the outer surface of said membrane proximate to the distal end of said membrane; b) insertion of said elongate medical instrument together with the fitted sleeve into a body cavity, and advancement of said instrument until the distal end thereof is situated close to the desired operating site; c) inflation of said inflatable channels, such that said medical instrument becomes anchored within the desired region of the body cavity, and such that longitudinally-disposed large-volume virtual channels are created between said inflatable channels; d) insertion of said endoscopic tools and/or accessories into one or more of said longitudinally-disposed large-volume virtual channels, and the distal advancement of said tools and accessories through said channels until said tools become located at the desired operating site; and e) optionally inflating one or more of said auxiliary balloons in order to control the angle of exit of one or more of said tools from said virtual channels and/or the separation distance between multiple tools; wherein steps (d) and (e) may be performed either simultaneously or sequentially, in either order. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification