METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STABILIZING, STRAIGHTENING, EXPANDING AND/OR FLATTENING THE SIDE WALL OF A BODY LUMEN AND/OR BODY CAVITY SO AS TO PROVIDE INCREASED VISUALIZATION OF THE SAME AND/OR INCREASED ACCESS TO THE SAME, AND/OR FOR STABILIZING INSTRUMENTS RELATIVE TO THE SAME
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Abstract
The present invention comprises the provision and use of a novel endoscopic device which is capable of stabilizing, straightening, expanding and/or flattening the side wall of a body lumen and/or body cavity so as to better present the side wall tissue for examination and/or treatment during an endoscopic procedure. The present invention also comprises the provision and use of a novel endoscopic device capable of steadying and/or stabilizing the distal tips and/or working ends of instruments inserted into a body lumen and/or body cavity, whereby to facilitate the use of those instruments.
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Citations
54 Claims
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1-33. -33. (canceled)
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34. Apparatus comprising:
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a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope; a proximal balloon secured to the sleeve near the distal end of the sleeve; a pusher element slidably mounted to the sleeve, the pusher element being substantially flexible, having substantial column strength, and having a length substantially shorter than the sleeve; and a distal balloon secured to the distal end of the pusher element. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A method for performing a procedure in a body lumen and/or body cavity, the method comprising:
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providing apparatus comprising; a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope; a proximal balloon secured to the sleeve near the distal end of the sleeve; a pusher tube slidably mounted to the sleeve, the pusher tube being configured to slidably receive a guidewire therein; and a distal balloon secured to the distal end of the pusher tube; positioning the apparatus in the body lumen and/or body cavity; inflating the proximal balloon; advancing a guidewire through the pusher tube; advancing the pusher tube along the guidewire; inflating the distal balloon; and performing the procedure.
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53. (canceled)
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54. A method for performing a procedure in a body lumen and/or body cavity, the method comprising:
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providing apparatus comprising; a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope; a proximal balloon secured to the sleeve near the distal end of the sleeve; a pusher element slidably mounted to the sleeve, the pusher element being substantially flexible, having substantial column strength, and having a length substantially shorter than the sleeve; and a distal balloon secured to the distal end of the pusher element; positioning the apparatus in the body lumen and/or body cavity; inflating the proximal balloon; advancing the pusher element distally relative to the sleeve; inflating the distal balloon; and performing the procedure.
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Specification