Independent articulating accessory channel

• US 7,976,458 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2006
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Stefanchik, David, Spivey, James T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sweet; Thomas J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Henderson; Ryan
• Application Number:
  US11/566,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20080132758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,680 Days
• Field of Search: 600/104, 600/106, 600/114, 600/153, 600121-125
• US Class Current: 600/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00073 with externally grooved shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0014 Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments

Abstract

Devices and methods useful for delivering tools and/or materials to a surgical site are disclosed. In one embodiment, an accessory device for an endoscope is provided and can include an elongate sheath and an accessory channel. The elongate sheath can be adapted to receive an endoscope therein, and it can include a mating element extending longitudinally between proximal and distal ends thereof. The accessory channel can be adapted to receive a tool therethrough and it can also have a mating element extending between proximal and distal ends thereof and adapted to slidably mate to the mating element formed on the elongate sheath. In certain exemplary embodiments, a distal portion of the accessory channel can be adapted to derail from at least a distal portion of the elongate sheath while a proximal portion of the accessory channel remains mated to a proximal portion of the elongate sheath. In use, the elongate sheath and the accessory channel can each provide a pathway for delivering tools and/or materials to a surgical site. The distal ends of elongate sheath and the accessory channel can be detached and positioned independently of one another to afford improved positioning or placement of the tools and/or materials received therethrough.

Claims

1. An accessory device for an endoscope, comprising:

an elongate sheath adapted to receive an endoscope therein; and

,

an accessory channel adapted to receive a tool therethrough, the elongate sheath and the accessory channel each having a mating element extending between respective proximal and distal ends thereof and adapted to slidably mate to one another and thereby couple the elongate sheath and the accessory channel, wherein one of the mating elements comprises a track and the other mating element comprises a rail;

wherein at least one sidewall of one of the rail and the track is slidable to form an elongate retaining member adapted to move relative to each of the mating element of the accessory channel and the mating element of the elongate sheath, so as to derail at least a portion of the accessory channel distal to a distal end of the retaining member from a portion of the elongate sheath distal to the distal end of the retaining member.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the mating element that has the elongate retaining member slidably mated thereto comprises the rail.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the mating element that has the elongate retaining member slidably mated thereto comprises the track.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the retaining member and the track define a T-shaped channel when the retaining member is mated to the track.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the retaining member includes first and second elongate members adapted to slidably mate to opposed first and second sidewalls of the track.

6. A method for positioning a tool, comprising:

slidably mating a mating element on an accessory channel with a mating element on an elongate sheath to position a distal end of the accessory channel in proximity to a distal end of the elongate sheath; and

sliding an elongate retaining member formed on one of the mating elements in a proximal direction relative to each of the mating element on the accessory channel and the mating element on the elongate sheath to form an opening in one of the mating elements at a location proximal to a distal end of the accessory channel or the elongate shaft, thereby detaching a distal portion of the accessory channel from a distal portion of the elongate sheath while a proximal portion of the accessory channel remains mated to a proximal portion of the elongate sheath;

wherein the mating element of the elongate sheath comprises a T-shaped track defining a T-shaped channel and the mating element of the accessory channel comprises a T-shaped rail slidably mating in the T-shaped channel.