Endoscope biopsy channel liner and associated method
First Claim
1. A method for preparing an endoscope for an endoscope surgical operation, comprising:
- providing an endoscope having an insertion member with a biopsy channel extending between a distal end of said insertion member and a proximal end thereof;
also providing a tubular liner element having a distal end attached to a distal end of a tubular sheath, said sheath being initially in an inside-out configuration so that said liner element projects free of said sheath;
disposing said sheath about said insertion member to enclose at least a distal end portion of said insertion member in a fluid tight seal inside said sheath, the disposing of said sheath about said insertion member including inverting said sheath, said inverting proceeding from the distal end of said insertion member towards the proximal end thereof;
inserting said liner element into said biopsy channel from one end thereof; and
attaching said distal end of said liner element to said insertion member at least at the distal end thereof, said liner element being attached to said insertion member via said sheath.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device utilizable with an endoscope to promote cleanliness comprises a substantially thin-walled elongate tubular sheath made of a flexible material, the sheath having a use configuration with an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of an insertion member of the endoscope, whereby the sheath may be removably disposed about such insertion member to substantially surround same prior to insertion of the insertion member into a patient. A liner element extends parallel to the sheath and inside the sheath at least along a distal end portion of the liner element. The liner element is insertable into a biopsy channel of the insertion member of the endoscope. The sheath and the liner element are attached at their distal ends by a transparent cap member to form a germ-tight seal. Biopsy channels expandable from a collapsed configuration to receive endoscopic surgical instruments during an operation are provided in or on the sheath.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for preparing an endoscope for an endoscope surgical operation, comprising:
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providing an endoscope having an insertion member with a biopsy channel extending between a distal end of said insertion member and a proximal end thereof; also providing a tubular liner element having a distal end attached to a distal end of a tubular sheath, said sheath being initially in an inside-out configuration so that said liner element projects free of said sheath; disposing said sheath about said insertion member to enclose at least a distal end portion of said insertion member in a fluid tight seal inside said sheath, the disposing of said sheath about said insertion member including inverting said sheath, said inverting proceeding from the distal end of said insertion member towards the proximal end thereof; inserting said liner element into said biopsy channel from one end thereof; and attaching said distal end of said liner element to said insertion member at least at the distal end thereof, said liner element being attached to said insertion member via said sheath. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for preparing an endoscope for an endoscopic surgical operation, comprising:
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providing an endoscope having an insertion member with a biopsy channel extending between a distal end of said insertion member and a proximal end thereof; also providing a tubular liner element; inserting said liner element into said biopsy channel from one end thereof; attaching a distal end of said liner element to said insertion member at least at the distal end thereof disposing a sheath about said insertion member to enclose at least a distal end portion of said insertion member in a fluid tight seal inside said sheath; and attaching the distal end of said liner element to said sheath after the sheath has been disposed about said insertion member. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A method for preparing an endoscope for an endoscopic surgical operation, comprising:
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providing an endoscope having an insertion member with a biopsy channel extending between a distal end of said insertion member and a proximal end thereof; also providing a tubular liner element; inserting said liner element into said biopsy channel from one end thereof; and attaching a distal end of said liner element to said insertion member at least at the distal end thereof, said liner element being made of substantially flexible film material, the inserting of said liner element into said biopsy channel including; inserting an elongate rod member through said biopsy channel from one end of said insertion member; upon an emergence of a tip of said rod member from said biopsy channel, coupling a first end of said liner element to said rod member; upon completion of the coupling of the first end of said liner element to said rod member, pulling said rod member and said first end of said liner element through said biopsy channel; maintaining a second end of said liner element outside of said biopsy channel during the pulling of the rod member and the first end of the liner element; and upon an emergence of said first end of said liner element from said biopsy channel, attaching said second end to said insertion member at the distal end thereof. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification