Method and apparatus for extending a tube
First Claim
1. An endoscopic apparatus reversibly insertable into a curved lumen of a patient, said apparatus comprising:
- a flexible sleeve having a length, a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis;
said distal end of said flexible sleeve comprising;
a folded sleeve portion having a length Lfold;
a compact folded portion enclosed within said folded sleeve portion such that a single topologically cylindrical sleeve is provided;
said compact folded portion comprising a spiral structure in which at least a part of said flexible sleeve portion has been rolled from said distal end about an axis of rotation and rotated so that said axis of rotation is parallel to said longitudinal axis, such that when said sleeve is inflated by fluid, said compact folded portion partially unfolds and everts radially from said folded sleeve portion; and
an unfolded sleeve portion connecting said compact folded portion to said folded sleeve portion;
said unfolded sleeve portion having a length Lunfold that increases as at least a portion of said compact folded portion unfolds and everts when said sleeve is inflated by fluid;
wherein;
when in use, said folded sleeve portion extends distally when at least a portion of said compact folded portion unfolds and everts;
said eversion is provided so as to increase said unfolded sleeve portion length Lunfold and such that when in use said folded sleeve portion self-navigates within said curved lumen when said sleeve is inflated by fluid; and
said unfolded sleeve portion substantially stays stationary when said sleeve is inflated by fluid.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for extending a tube, the apparatus including a foldable tube having a folded portion inside an unfolded portion of the tube, and a source of fluid coupled to the unfolded portion for providing fluid into the unfolded portion to unfold and extend the folded portion out of the unfolded portion to become an extension of the unfolded portion. The apparatus and methods are useful, inter alia, for cleansing the colon in the normal direction, that is, from the cecum to the anus, using an apparatus that is introduced via the anus. A washing liquid is supplied deep into the colon via the soft feed tube that is inserted via the anus and is extended into the colon by inflation. The washing liquid is then drained out via the anus through a drainage channel.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An endoscopic apparatus reversibly insertable into a curved lumen of a patient, said apparatus comprising:
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a flexible sleeve having a length, a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis; said distal end of said flexible sleeve comprising; a folded sleeve portion having a length Lfold; a compact folded portion enclosed within said folded sleeve portion such that a single topologically cylindrical sleeve is provided;
said compact folded portion comprising a spiral structure in which at least a part of said flexible sleeve portion has been rolled from said distal end about an axis of rotation and rotated so that said axis of rotation is parallel to said longitudinal axis, such that when said sleeve is inflated by fluid, said compact folded portion partially unfolds and everts radially from said folded sleeve portion; andan unfolded sleeve portion connecting said compact folded portion to said folded sleeve portion;
said unfolded sleeve portion having a length Lunfold that increases as at least a portion of said compact folded portion unfolds and everts when said sleeve is inflated by fluid;wherein; when in use, said folded sleeve portion extends distally when at least a portion of said compact folded portion unfolds and everts; said eversion is provided so as to increase said unfolded sleeve portion length Lunfold and such that when in use said folded sleeve portion self-navigates within said curved lumen when said sleeve is inflated by fluid; and said unfolded sleeve portion substantially stays stationary when said sleeve is inflated by fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of extending a tube within a curved lumen, the method comprising steps of:
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obtaining an apparatus comprising a flexible sleeve having a length, a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis; said distal end of said flexible sleeve comprising; a folded sleeve portion having a length Lfold; a compact folded portion enclosed within said folded sleeve portion such that a single topologically cylindrical sleeve is provided;
said compact folded portion comprising a spiral structure in which at least a part of said flexible sleeve portion has been rolled from said distal end about an axis of rotation and rotated by 90°
so that said axis of rotation is parallel to said longitudinal axis, such that when said sleeve is inflated by fluid, said compact folded portion partially unfolds and everts radially from said folded sleeve portion; andan unfolded sleeve portion connecting said compact folded portion to said folded sleeve portion;
said unfolded sleeve portion having a length Lunfold that increases as at least a portion of said compact folded portion unfolds and everts when said sleeve is inflated by fluid;inserting said flexible sleeve into said lumen; introducing a fluid into said folded sleeve portion, thereby unfolding and everting said at least a portion of said compact folded portion; and extending said flexible sleeve within said curved lumen. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification