Apparatus and methods for achieving endoluminal access

• US 7,955,253 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2005
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: USGI Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: USGI Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Reydel, Boris, Saadat, Vahid, Chen, Eugene G., Ewers, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): KASZTEJNA, MATTHEW JOHN
• Application Number:
  US11/311,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20060100480A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,996 Days
• Field of Search: 600/101, 600/104, 600114-116, 606 32- 58
• US Class Current: 600/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00149 using articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for pleating at least a portion of a patient'"'"'s body lumen, such as the colon. Pleating is achieved via relative motion between an endoscope and a flexible conduit having an engagement element configured to reversibly engage the body lumen.

Claims

1. A method for advancing an endoscope through a body lumen, comprising:

advancing an endoscope having a steerable distal end and a flexible conduit through the body lumen;

engaging a region of body lumen distal to the flexible conduit via the steerable distal end;

retracting the endoscope relative to the flexible conduit such that a portion of the body lumen is retracted relative to the flexible conduit;

rigidizing the flexible conduit;

disengaging the steerable distal end from the region of body lumen; and

advancing the endoscope relative to the rigidized flexible conduit.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein advancing an endoscope comprises advancing through a bowel of a patient.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein engaging a region of body lumen comprises temporarily anchoring the steerable distal end to the region of body lumen.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein engaging a region of body lumen comprises hooking the steerable distal end to the region of body lumen.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein retracting the endoscope comprises proximally withdrawing the endoscope while maintaining the engaged region of body lumen to the steerable distal end.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein retracting the endoscope further comprises straightening the portion of the body lumen.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein disengaging the steerable distal end comprises releasing the steerable distal end from the region of body lumen.