Independent Articulating Accessory Channel

• US 20080132758A1
• Filed: 12/05/2006
• Published: 06/05/2008
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 7,976,458 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 having a mating element extending longitudinally between proximal and distal ends thereof;

an accessory channel adapted to receive a tool therethrough and having a mating element extending between proximal and distal ends thereof and adapted to slidably mate to the mating element formed on the elongate sheath;

wherein a distal portion of the accessory channel is 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.

2. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein the mating element of at least one of the elongate sheath and the accessory channel has a gap formed therein and adapted to allow at least the distal portion of the accessory channel to derail from at least the distal portion of the elongate sheath.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the mating element of the elongate sheath comprises a T-shaped track and the mating element of the accessory channel comprises a T-shaped rail.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein at least one of the track and the rail has a cutout formed therein and adapted to allow at least the distal portion of the accessory channel to derail from at least the distal portion of the elongate sheath.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the mating element of at least one of the elongate sheath and the accessory channel comprises:

a track; and

an elongate retaining member slidably mated to the track and adapted to move between a distal position in which at least a portion of the accessory channel proximal to a distal end of the retaining member is mated to a portion of the elongate sheath proximal to the distal end of the retaining member, and a proximal position in which at least a portion of the accessory channel distal to the distal end of the retaining member is derailed from a portion of the elongate sheath distal to the distal end of the retaining member.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the retaining member and the track define a T-shaped channel when the retaining member is mated to the track.

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

8. An endoscopic system, comprising:

an elongate sheath adapted to receive an endoscope therein and having a track extending longitudinally between proximal and distal ends thereof;

an accessory channel adapted to receive a tool therethrough and having a rail extending between proximal and distal ends thereof, the rail being adapted to slidably couple to the track on the elongate sheath;

wherein at least one of the rail and the track includes a derailing feature formed thereon and adapted to allow a distal portion of the accessory channel to derail from a distal portion of the elongate sheath.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the derailing feature includes a cutout formed therein and adapted to allow at least the distal portion of the accessory channel to derail from at least the distal portion of the elongate sheath.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the track is T-shaped and the rail is T-shaped.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the derailing feature comprises:

a groove formed between proximal and distal ends of at least one of the rail and the track; and

an elongate retaining member slidably mated to the groove and adapted to move between a distal position in which a portion of the accessory channel adjacent to the retaining member is mated to a portion of the elongate sheath adjacent to the retaining member, and a proximal position in which a portion of the accessory channel distal to the retaining member is derailed from a portion of the elongate sheath distal to the retaining member.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the elongate retaining member and the track define a T-shaped channel when the retaining member is mated to the track.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the elongate retaining member includes first and second elongate members, the first elongate member adapted to slidably mate to the groove and the second elongate member adapted to slidably mate to a second groove formed between proximal and distal ends of at least one of the rail and the track.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising an endoscope disposed within the elongate sheath.

15. A method for positioning a tool, comprising:

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

manipulating the accessory channel to detach the distal end of the accessory channel from the distal end of the elongate sheath while a proximal portion of the accessory channel remains mated to a proximal portion of the elongate sheath.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising, prior to manipulating, inserting the accessory channel and elongate sheath mated thereto through a body lumen.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising steering the distal end of the accessory channel away from the distal end of the elongate sheath.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising inserting a tool through a lumen in the accessory channel such that a distal end of the tool is spaced a distance apart from the distal end of the accessory channel.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising inserting an endoscope into the elongate sheath.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein manipulating the accessory channel comprises proximally sliding an elongate retaining member coupled between the distal end of the elongate sheath and the distal end of the accessory channel.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein manipulating the accessory channel comprises advancing a distal end of a mating element on the accessory channel through a gap formed in a mating element on the elongate sheath.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein manipulating the accessory channel comprises articulating the distal end of the accessory channel away from the distal end of the elongate sheath.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein manipulating the accessory channel comprises:

advancing the accessory channel to position the distal end of the elongate sheath in a gap formed in a mating element on the accessory channel;

articulating the distal end of the accessory channel away from the distal end of the elongate sheath; and

withdrawing the accessory channel such that a portion of the accessory channel distal to the gap is detached from the distal end of the elongate sheath.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein slidably mating the accessory channel to the elongate sheath comprises advancing a rail extending along the accessory channel through a track extending along the elongate sheath.