Balloon endoscope device
First Claim
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1. An endoscope device, which comprises:
- a shaft having a distal end, and interior optical and inflation channels extending there through;
a plurality of exterior functional channels adapted to extend along an outer surface of the shaft, the plurality of exterior functional channels terminating in a plurality of exit ports at the distal end of the shaft; and
a plurality of separately inflatable balloons that in both an inflated and deflated state wrap around the plurality of exit ports which are located between the separately inflatable balloons, wherein the balloons touch adjacent balloons and form a substantially continuous outer surface about the distal end of the shaft in both an inflated and deflated state.
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Abstract
A balloon endoscope device having a shaft with a distal end that allows for blunt dissection is provided. The shaft utilizes a plurality of separately inflatable balloons that alone or together with exterior functional channels (e.g., instrument channels, air channels, water channels, suction channels) circumferentially surround the distal end of the shaft to better position and maneuver the distal end as it advances through tissue planes and once it reaches a target working space or operative site.
109 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An endoscope device, which comprises:
- a shaft having a distal end, and interior optical and inflation channels extending there through;
a plurality of exterior functional channels adapted to extend along an outer surface of the shaft, the plurality of exterior functional channels terminating in a plurality of exit ports at the distal end of the shaft; and
a plurality of separately inflatable balloons that in both an inflated and deflated state wrap around the plurality of exit ports which are located between the separately inflatable balloons, wherein the balloons touch adjacent balloons and form a substantially continuous outer surface about the distal end of the shaft in both an inflated and deflated state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- a shaft having a distal end, and interior optical and inflation channels extending there through;
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9. An endoscope device, which comprises:
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(a) a shaft comprising a flexible or partially flexible tubular member having a distal end, and interior optical and inflation channels extending there through; (b) a plurality of exterior functional channels adapted to extend along an outer surface of the tubular member, the plurality of exterior functional channels terminating in a plurality of exit ports at the distal end of the tubular member, wherein each functional channel has a similar outside diameter; and (c) a plurality of similarly sized separately inflatable balloons that in both an inflated and deflated state wrap around the plurality of exit ports which are located between the separately inflatable balloons, wherein the balloons touch adjacent balloons and form a substantially continuous outer surface about the distal end of the tubular member in both an inflated and deflated state. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An endoscope device, wherein the endoscope device is an end-view type endoscope device, which comprises:
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(a) a shaft comprising a flexible or partially flexible tubular member having a distal end, and an interior optical channel and a plurality of interior inflation channels extending there through; (b) a plurality of exterior functional channels adapted to extend along an outer surface of the tubular member, the plurality of exterior functional channels terminating in a plurality of exit ports at the distal end of the tubular member, wherein each functional channel has a similar outside diameter; (c) a plurality of similarly sized separately inflatable balloons that in both an inflated and deflated state wrap around the plurality of exit ports which are located between the separately inflatable balloons, wherein the balloons touch adjacent balloons and form a substantially continuous outer surface about the distal end of the tubular member in both an inflated and deflated state; and (d) control means for separately inflating and deflating each balloon, wherein, each interior inflation channel is in fluid communication with a different balloon, and all such inflation channels are in further fluid communication with the control means. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. An endoscope device, wherein the endoscope device is an end-view type endoscope device, which comprises:
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(a) a shaft comprising a flexible or partially flexible tubular member having a distal end, and an interior optical channel and four interior inflation channels extending there through; (b) four exterior functional channels adapted to extend along an outer surface of the tubular member, the four exterior functional channels terminating in four exit ports at the distal end of the tubular member, wherein each functional channel has a similar outside diameter; (c) four similarly sized separately inflatable balloons that in both an inflated and deflated state wrap around the four exit ports which are located between the separately inflatable balloons, wherein the balloons touch adjacent balloons and form a substantially continuous outer surface about the distal end of the tubular member in both an inflated and deflated state; and (d) control means for separately inflating and deflating each balloon, wherein, each interior inflation channel is in fluid communication with a different balloon, and all such inflation channels are in further fluid communication with the control means. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification