OVERTUBE WITH EXPANDABLE TIP

• US 20100081877A1
• Filed: 10/01/2008
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Vakharia, Omar J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,337,394 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/121
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3132 for laparoscopy

Abstract

An endoscopic overtube with articulating fingers extending from the distal end. The articulating fingers form an opening that may be expanded by a balloon. When positioned in a puncture site in a tissue wall, the articulating fingers dilate and enlarge the puncture site to allow for the body of the overtube to pass through the puncture site. In various embodiments, the fingers may further comprise cutting elements to assist in the dilation of the puncture site.

Claims

1. A translumenal overtube device, comprising:

an elongate flexible overtube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a body, wherein the body defines a lumen extending the length of the overtube, and wherein the lumen is dimensioned to receive an insertion portion of an endoscope; and

a plurality of radially articulating fingers projecting from the distal end of the flexible overtube.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the radial articulation of the fingers is configured to dilate a tissue opening.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein each finger has a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end forming an expandable opening.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the expandable opening expands when the plurality of fingers radially articulate.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein a tool is received through the opening.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the tool is an incising devise.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein at least one finger comprises at least one cutting element for facilitating penetration thereof through the tissue opening.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the overtube comprises at least a first finger, a second finger, and a third finger.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the distal end of the overtube has a non-articulated position and an articulated position, wherein the distal end of the overtube is tapered in the non-articulated position.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein a balloon is used to move the distal end from the non-articulated position to the articulated position.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the overtube comprises a gripping portion.

12. A method for accessing a body cavity, comprising:

guiding a flexible overtube through a patient'"'"'s body to position the distal end of the overtube adjacent to tissue to be penetrated, a proximal end of the overtube remaining outside of the patient'"'"'s body, the distal end comprising a radially expandable tip;

advancing the distal end of the radially expandable tip into an incision in the tissue;

radially expanding the radially expandable tip to dilate the incision;

advancing the distal end of the overtube through the tissue and into a body cavity such that the overtube forms a working channel that extends from outside of the patient'"'"'s body, translumenally, through the tissue, and into the body cavity; and

advancing an endoscope into the body cavity through the overtube.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the radially expandable tip comprises a plurality of distally extending fingers.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the radially expandable tip is radially expanded through inflation of a balloon with fluid.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the radially expandable tip comprises at least a first finger, a second finger, and a third finger.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the radially expandable tip comprises at least one cutting element.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the overtube comprises a gripping portion.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein at least one finger has a curved profile.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the radially expandable tip is transparent.

20. A translumenal overtube device, comprising:

an elongate flexible overtube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a body, wherein the body defines a lumen extending the length of the overtube, and wherein the lumen is dimensioned to receive an insertion portion of an endoscope; and

a plurality of radially articulating fingers projecting from the distal end of the flexible overtube, wherein the distal end of the overtube has a non-articulated position and an articulated position, wherein the distal end of the overtube is tapered in the non-articulated position, and wherein a balloon is used to move the distal end from the non-articulated position to the articulated position.