Endoscope having a guide tube

Abstract

An endoscope having a guide tube is described herein. The assembly has an endoscope which is slidably insertable within the lumen of a guide tube. The guide tube is configured to be rigidizable along its entire length from a relaxed configuration. The endoscope has a steerable distal portion to facilitate the steering of the device through tortuous paths. In the relaxed configuration, a portion of the guide tube is able to assume the shape or curve defined by the controllable distal portion of the endoscope. Having assumed the shape or curve of the endoscope, the guide tube may be rigidized by the physician or surgeon to maintain that shape or curve while the endoscope is advanced distally through the tortuous path without having to place any undue pressure against the tissue walls.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 139,289 filed May 2, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 969,927 filed Oct. 2, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 790,204 filed Feb. 20, 2001, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 194,140 filed Apr. 3, 2000, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to endoscopes and endoscopic medical procedures. More particularly, it relates to a method and apparatus to facilitate insertion of a flexible endoscope along a tortuous path using a guide tube apparatus, such as for colonoscopic examination and treatment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] An endoscope is a medical instrument for visualizing the interior of a patient's body. Endoscopes can be used for a variety of differ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] In use, e.g., in the colon, the physician or surgeon may typically first advance the distal portion of the endoscope within the body of the patient. When the first curve of the colon is approached, the user may appropriately steer the distal portion of the endoscope to assume a curve for traversing the path. At this point, the endoscope is preferably held stationary relative to the patient while the guide, in a relaxed and flexible state, is advanced over the shaft of the endoscope until the distal end of the guide tube is at, or a short distance past, the distal tip of the endoscope. Once the guide tube, or at least its distal portion, has assumed the curve formed by the controllable distal portion of the endoscope, the guide tube may then be rigidized, preferably along its length, to hold its assumed shape. Once this is done, the endoscope may be further advanced within the rigidized guide tube to traverse the curved pathway without having to place any pressure against the walls of the colon. The steps for advancing the endoscope may be repeated as necessary until the desired area within the body has been reached.

[0013] The outer surface of the guide tube preferably has a tubular covering which covers at least a majority of the tube to prevent the entry of debris and fluids within the lumen of the guide tube between the individual segments. The covering also facilitates the advancement and withdrawal of the guide tube by preventing tissue from being pinched between the segments. To prevent tissue from being pinched between the guide tube and endoscope during assembly movement, expandable bellows or an additional covering may optionally be placed over the distal opening of the guide tube. This additional covering may simply be an integral extension of the covering over the surface of the guide tube, or it may be a separate covering attached to the distal end of the guide tube. This covering may also be attached to or near the distal end of the endoscope to maintain a seal between the endoscope shaft and the guide tube. The coverings and their variations may be attached by any conventional method as practicable. If the covering over the distal end of the guide tube is utilized, as the distal portion of the endoscope shaft is advanced distally through the guide tube, the covering preferably expands distally along with the endoscope or simply slides distally along with the endoscope. When the shaft is retracted within the guide lumen, the covering again preferably retracts proximally along with the proximal movement of the distal end of the endoscope or it may simply be retracted manually along with the endoscope. The use of the additional covering may also aid in maintaining the sterility of the internal lumen of the guide tube.

Problems solved by technology

Insertion of the colonoscope is complicated by the fact that the colon represents a tortuous and convoluted path.

Considerable manipulation of the colonoscope is often necessary to advance the colonoscope through the colon, making the procedure more difficult and time consuming and adding to the potential for complications, such as intestinal perforation.

However, as the colonoscope is inserted farther and farther into the colon, it becomes more difficult to advance the colonoscope along the selected path.

Friction and slack in the colonoscope build up at each turn, making it more and more difficult to advance and withdraw the colonoscope.

In addition, the force against the wall of the colon increases with the buildup of friction.

In cases of extreme tortuosity, it may become impossible to advance the colonoscope all of the way through the colon.

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