Flexible sleeve slidingly transformable into a large suction sleeve

• US 6,547,724 B1
• Filed: 05/26/2000
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Tremaglio, Anthony, Soble, Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAM, JOCELYN D
• Application Number:
  US09/579,995
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 600/156, 600/154, 600/153, 600/157, 600/158, 600/114, 606/115, 604/39, 604/902
• US Class Current: 600/156
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/12 with cooling or rinsing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/307 for the urinary organs, e.g. urethroscopes, cystoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/84 Drainage tubes; Aspiration tips for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/90; for surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0039 characterized by lumina being arranged coaxially
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/004 characterized by lumina being arranged circumferentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0028 characterized by features relating to at least one lumen located at the proximal part of the catheter, e.g. alterations in lumen shape or valves catheter hubs A61M25/0097
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0075 Valve means

Abstract

A sleeve is provided for placing over a flexible endoscope. The sleeve has a port between its distal and proximal openings and the port is connected to a vacuum source. Once the endoscope is retracted proximal to the suction port, the sleeve'"'"'s proximal opening is sealed off and the entire sleeve is turned into a suction lumen. Devices and methods in accordance with the invention provide improvement in removing materials from body cavities, especially in removing stones from the upper urinary tract.

Claims

1. A method for removing unwanted materials from a body cavity, comprising the steps of:

providing a sleeve comprising a flexible tubular member defining a distal opening, a proximal opening, and a lumen extending from the distal opening to the proximal opening, the tubular member further comprising a port disposed between the distal opening and the proximal opening, thereby defining a passageway extending from the distal opening, through a portion of the lumen, and to the port;

inserting an elongated instrument having a distal end into the sleeve through its proximal opening such that the distal end of the instrument is proximal to the port and providing a seal between the sleeve and the instrument;

placing the sleeve inside a body cavity so that the distal opening of the sleeve is near materials to be removed; and

applying suction to the port.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of providing irrigation to the body cavity.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein irrigation is provided in a separate lumen of the sleeve.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the irrigation is carried out concurrent to the suction.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing the seal between the sleeve and the instrument comprises compressing a clamp around a portion of the instrument.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising locking the clamp to maintain the seal.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising unlocking the clamp such that the elongated instrument can slide inside the sleeve.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the instrument is an endoscope.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing ventilation to the body cavity.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the ventilation is carried out concurrent to the suction.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting the port to a source of positive pressure.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising connecting the port to a selector for allowing selection between the application of the vacuum and the positive pressure.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting the port to a pressure regulator for regulating a fluid pressure in the passageway.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting the port to an on/off switch.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the switch comprises a trumpet valve.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the sleeve further comprises a partition defining multiple lumens.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the tubular member comprises a flexible material.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the tubular member further comprises a reinforcing material.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising lubricating the tubular member.