A disposable auxiliary colonoscopy surgical balloon overtube

Abstract

The application discloses a disposable auxiliary colonoscopy surgery balloon overtube, which comprises a flexible overtube body, at least two balloons and an inflation conduit. The overtube body has an inner cavity for a colonoscope body to pass through; the at least two balloons are arranged on the overtube body in an axial direction and are spaced apart from each other; and the inflation conduit is arranged on the overtube body and is in communication with the balloons, and is used for connecting an external air source to inflate the balloons. After the balloons are inflated and expanded, the balloons abut against inner surfaces of colon walls respectively, and multiple-point supports are formed between the colonoscope body and the colon walls, so that the stability of a colonoscopy operation channel is maintained. Through the multiple-point support anchoring structure, the application effectively solves the problems that a colonoscope is difficult to be inserted into a large-freedom and complex-curved intestinal segment such as a sigmoid colon and an ileocecal region, and it is inconvenient to control the colonoscope, improves the operation efficiency and reduces the pain of a patient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical devices, and in particular to a disposable balloon sheath for assisting colonoscopy. Background Technology

[0002] Colonoscopy is an important tool for diagnosing and treating colorectal diseases. With increased public awareness of health and the widespread adoption of early screening for digestive tract tumors, the number of people undergoing colonoscopy continues to grow. However, in clinical practice, the insertion of the colonoscope often presents numerous difficulties, particularly in the sigmoid colon and ileocecal junction. The sigmoid colon, due to its high degree of mobility, numerous bends, and potential adhesions (especially in patients with a history of abdominal surgery or intestinal inflammation), easily forms loops during colonoscopy, significantly increasing resistance and making it difficult to control. Patients often experience significant pain due to intestinal traction. Operators must repeatedly adjust the inflation volume, pull and rotate the colonoscope, or change the patient's position to assist in its passage. Furthermore, the hepatic flexure (the junction of the ascending and transverse colon) and splenic flexure (the junction of the transverse and descending colon) are both acute-angle turns, making the colonoscope prone to slippage during insertion, further increasing the difficulty of the procedure.

[0003] Besides anatomical factors, individual patient differences also significantly affect the difficulty of colonoscopy. Obese patients have a thicker layer of abdominal fat, making it easier for the colonoscope to bend within the abdominal cavity; patients who are sensitive to pain or are nervous are prone to intestinal spasms, causing the lumen to narrow; when bowel preparation is poor, residual feces can obstruct the view, affecting the operator's judgment of the path. The combination of these factors often leads to the colonoscope needing to repeatedly advance and retreat, adjusting its direction, to barely pass through or reach the lesion site in the target intestinal segment (especially near the sigmoid colon, splenic flexure, hepatic flexure, and ileocecal junction).

[0004] When lesions (such as polyps, early-stage tumors, etc.) are found in the colon, cecum, or ileocecal junction requiring endoscopic resection, the surgeon typically needs to repeatedly advance and retreat the colonoscope to the lesion site. Because the lesion is often located deep within the aforementioned anatomically complex intestinal segment, during the resection procedure, if the view of the scope becomes blurred, the scope becomes contaminated with bodily fluids, or repositioning of instruments is required after insertion or removal, the surgeon must partially or completely withdraw the colonoscope from the body for processing, and then reinsert it to the lesion site. At this point, due to the intestinal peristalsis or spasms caused by the manipulation, coupled with the existing anatomical curvature, re-reaching the lesion site often requires a significant amount of time and effort, and the patient also endures additional discomfort.

[0005] Therefore, how to provide a stable and reliable operating channel for colonoscopy, especially in anatomically complex intestinal segments such as the sigmoid colon, splenic flexure, hepatic flexure, and ileocecal junction, in order to reduce the difficulty of insertion, reduce the time of repeated insertion, and alleviate patient suffering, remains a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a disposable balloon sheath for assisting colonoscopy.

[0007] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: a disposable balloon sheath for assisting colonoscopy, characterized in that it comprises: A flexible cannula body, the inner lumen of which is configured for insertion and passage of a colonoscope. At least two balloons are spaced apart on the cannula body along the axial direction of the cannula body; An inflation catheter is provided on the cannula body and communicates with each balloon. The inflation catheter is used to connect to an external air source to inflate each balloon. After inflation, each balloon abuts against the inner surface of the colon wall to form multi-point support between the colonoscope body and the colon wall.

[0008] Furthermore, the number of balloons is two, one balloon is located near the end of the cannula body away from the inflation conduit, and the other balloon is located on the outer peripheral wall of the cannula body.

[0009] Furthermore, the inner wall of the cannula body is provided with an airflow channel communicating with each airbag, and the inflation conduit is connected to the airflow channel.

[0010] Furthermore, at least one of the outer surfaces of the balloon is provided with an anti-slip structural layer to increase the frictional resistance between the balloon and the colonic mucosa.

[0011] Furthermore, the anti-slip structural layer is one or more combinations of raised dot-like particles, diamond-shaped patterns, annular stripes, or spiral patterns.

[0012] Furthermore, the inner wall of the sleeve body is provided with a hydrophilic super-slippery coating.

[0013] Furthermore, an operating handle is provided at one end of the sleeve body adjacent to the inflation conduit.

[0014] Furthermore, a contrast ring is provided at the end of the cannula body away from the inflation conduit.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. High stability of the operating channel: By setting at least two balloons at axial intervals on the cannula body, each balloon, after being inflated, rests against the inner surface of the colon wall, forming a multi-point support structure, which firmly anchors the outer cannula in the colon lumen, effectively resisting the disturbance caused by intestinal peristalsis and the operation of the endoscope, providing a stable and reliable operating channel for colonoscopy, thereby solving the problems of difficulty in inserting the endoscope and inconvenience in controlling the endoscope caused by the large degree of sigmoid colon mobility and the easy formation of loops.

[0016] 2. High surgical efficiency and minimal patient discomfort: After the colonoscope is inflated and anchored, its movement within the cannula is unaffected by intestinal peristalsis. Even if the colonoscope needs to be withdrawn, wiped, and reinserted due to blurred vision during the procedure, it can quickly reach the lesion location along the anchored cannula channel without repeatedly searching for and navigating winding paths. This significantly saves surgical time and reduces the irritation to the intestines and patient pain caused by repeated insertions of the endoscope.

[0017] 3. High stability and reliability: By setting an anti-slip structure layer on the outer surface of the balloon, the frictional resistance between the balloon and the colonic mucosa is effectively increased, avoiding the balloon from slipping in the intestinal lumen due to force, further improving the stability and durability of the anchoring, and ensuring the accuracy of the outer tube position throughout the entire operation.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention, and the drawings are only examples and not strictly drawn to scale. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0020] Figure label: 1. Cannula body; 2. Balloon; 3. Inflation tube; 4. Anti-slip structural layer; 5. Operating handle; 6. Imaging ring; 7. Anti-backflow sleeve. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," "vertical," "circumferential," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0024] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0025] In the description of this invention, "first feature" and "second feature" may include one or more of the indicated features. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the indicated features.

[0026] like Figure 1 The disposable assisted colonoscopy balloon 2 shown has an outer cannula including a flexible cannula body 1, at least two balloons 2, and an inflation catheter 3.

[0027] The cannula body 1 has an inner lumen that extends axially along the cannula body 1. The cross-sectional dimensions of the inner lumen are configured to match the outer diameter of the colonoscope body, allowing the colonoscope body to pass through the inner lumen and slide freely axially within it. The cannula body 1 is made entirely of medical-grade polymer material, possessing excellent flexibility and biocompatibility. It can travel along with the colonoscope body through the curved lumen of the colon. Its flexibility allows the cannula body 1 to bend along the intestinal direction when passing through physiological bends such as the sigmoid colon, splenic flexure, and hepatic flexure, avoiding rigid damage to the intestinal wall.

[0028] At least two balloons 2 are spaced apart along the axial direction on the cannula body 1. The balloons 2 are inflatable sac-like structures made of medical elastic materials (such as silicone rubber, polyurethane, etc.). When deflated, they are in a collapsed state and fit against the outer wall of the cannula body 1, thus not affecting the initial advancement of the outer cannula in the colon. Each balloon 2 is connected to an external air source through an inflation conduit 3.

[0029] When an external air source inflates the balloons 2, each balloon 2 expands radially outward. At this point, with the colonoscope body having reached the target site (such as the sigmoid colon, ileocecal junction, or other intestinal segments with lesions), the operator inflates each balloon 2 using the external air source. After inflation, each balloon 2 contacts the inner surface of the colonic wall. Because at least two balloons 2 are spaced apart along the axial direction of the cannula body 1, each balloon 2 forms multiple support points within the intestinal lumen. These support points work together to position the cannula body 1 within the colonic lumen, thus forming a stable multi-point support structure between the colonoscope body and the intestinal wall. This multi-point support structure effectively resists the contractile force generated by colonic peristalsis and the disturbances caused by the colonoscope's advance, retreat, and rotation during colonoscopy, maintaining the stability of the colonoscope's operating channel. This avoids problems such as increased resistance to insertion and difficulty in controlling the scope due to the large degree of colonic mobility and the formation of loops, which are common in traditional procedures.

[0030] After the balloon 2 is deflated, it returns to its collapsed state, and the cannula body 1 can be withdrawn from the body along with the colonoscope. The whole process is simple and does not affect the normal working channel of the colonoscope.

[0031] Therefore, by setting at least two independently or synchronously inflatable balloons 2 on the cannula body 1, and utilizing the multiple points of contact between each balloon 2 and the inner surface of the intestinal wall after inflation, the outer cannula is stably anchored in the colonic lumen, providing a stable operating channel for colonoscopy, reducing repeated endoscopy operations caused by intestinal peristalsis or loop formation, shortening the operation time, and alleviating the patient's pain.

[0032] In some embodiments, there are two balloons 2. One balloon 2 is located near the end of the cannula body 1 away from the inflation catheter 3, and the other balloon 2 is located on the outer peripheral wall of the cannula body 1. The two balloons 2 form two support points at the front and rear, respectively, which together firmly support the outer cannula within the colonic lumen.

[0033] In some embodiments, an airflow channel is provided inside the tube wall of the sleeve body 1, the airflow channel extends along the axial direction of the sleeve body 1, and the air inlet conduit 3 is connected to the airflow channel.

[0034] Specifically, the cannula body 1 can form the airflow channel by adopting a double-walled structure or by embedding a pipe in a single-walled structure. An external air source introduces gas into the airflow channel through the inflation conduit 3, and then distributes the gas to each balloon 2 through the airflow channel to achieve synchronous inflation of each balloon 2. By adopting a structure in which the airflow channel is integrated inside the tube wall, there is no need to arrange external pipelines outside the cannula body 1, which makes the overall outer surface of the outer cannula smooth and free of redundant protrusions, making it less likely to damage the intestinal mucosa, and also reducing the resistance when the product moves in the body.

[0035] In some embodiments, at least one balloon 2 has an anti-slip structural layer 4 on its outer surface. This anti-slip structural layer 4 is used to increase the frictional resistance between the outer surface of the balloon 2 and the colonic mucosa, so that even if the intestinal wall undergoes slight displacement due to peristalsis or respiratory movements, the balloon 2 is less likely to slip or move within the intestinal lumen, thereby further improving the stability of the balloon 2's anchorage and ensuring that the outer cannula remains in the desired position during colonoscopy, providing the operator with a continuous and stable operating channel.

[0036] Furthermore, the anti-slip structural layer 4 comprises one or more combinations of raised dot-like particles, diamond-shaped patterns, circular stripes, or spiral patterns. These various texture structures can be selected and combined according to actual usage requirements to achieve the optimal anti-slip and fixing effect.

[0037] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the cannula body 1 is provided with a hydrophilic super-lubricating coating. This lubricating coating covers at least a portion of the surface of the inner lumen of the cannula body 1, reducing the sliding resistance of the colonoscope body during reciprocating movement within the lumen of the cannula body 1. This allows for smoother and less strenuous operation by the surgeon when advancing and retreating the colonoscope, and the twisting, bending, and other maneuvers of the colonoscope body are not additionally hindered by the cannula body 1, ensuring that the colonoscope can respond sensitively to the surgeon's operating commands, thus improving the accuracy and comfort of the operation.

[0038] In some embodiments, an operating handle 5 is provided at one end of the sleeve body 1 near the inflation conduit 3 for easy hand operation, and an anti-backflow sleeve 7 is provided on the operating handle 5.

[0039] In some embodiments, a contrast ring 6 is provided at the end of the cannula body 1 furthest from the inflation catheter 3. This allows the surgeon to observe the position of the contrast ring 6 in real time during colonoscopy using X-ray imaging equipment, thus accurately determining the specific location of the distal end of the cannula body 1 within the colonic lumen. Especially in cases of complex intestinal curvature or limited field of vision, the contrast ring 6 provides the surgeon with intuitive positional reference information, helping to accurately push the cannula body 1 to the target intestinal segment and confirm the accuracy of the balloon 2's anchorage, reducing operational risks and uncertainty.

[0040] In summary, this device has the following characteristics: 1. High stability of the operating channel: By setting at least two balloons 2 at axial intervals on the cannula body 1, each balloon 2, after being inflated, abuts against the inner surface of the colon wall to form a multi-point support structure, which firmly anchors the outer cannula in the colon lumen, effectively resisting the disturbance caused by intestinal peristalsis and the operation of the endoscope, and providing a stable and reliable operating channel for colonoscopy, thereby solving the problems of difficulty in inserting the endoscope and inconvenience in controlling the endoscope caused by the large degree of sigmoid colon mobility and the easy formation of loops.

[0041] 2. High surgical efficiency and minimal patient discomfort: After the balloon 2 is inflated and anchored, the colonoscope can be moved in and out of the cannula without being affected by intestinal peristalsis. Even if the colonoscope needs to be pulled out and wiped before being reinserted due to blurred vision during the operation, it can quickly reach the lesion location along the anchored cannula channel without having to repeatedly search for and pass through a tortuous path, which greatly saves surgical time and reduces the stimulation of the intestine and patient pain and discomfort caused by repeated insertion of the endoscope.

[0042] 3. Strong fixation reliability: By setting an anti-slip structure layer 4 on the outer surface of balloon 2, the frictional resistance between balloon 2 and colonic mucosa is effectively increased, avoiding the balloon 2 from slipping in the intestinal lumen due to force, further improving the stability and durability of anchoring, and ensuring the accuracy of the outer tube position throughout the operation.

[0043] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations of these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A disposable balloon cannula for assisting colonoscopy, characterized in that, include: A flexible cannula body, the inner lumen of which is configured for insertion and passage of a colonoscope. At least two balloons are spaced apart on the cannula body along the axial direction of the cannula body; An inflation catheter is provided on the cannula body and communicates with each balloon. The inflation catheter is used to connect to an external air source to inflate each balloon. After inflation, each balloon abuts against the inner surface of the colon wall to form multi-point support between the colonoscope body and the colon wall.

2. The disposable assisted colonoscopy balloon cannula according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of balloons is two, one of which is located near the end of the cannula body away from the inflation conduit, and the other balloon is located on the outer peripheral wall of the cannula body.

3. The disposable auxiliary colonoscopy balloon cannula according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the cannula body is provided with an airflow channel that communicates with each airbag, and the inflation conduit is connected to the airflow channel.

4. The disposable auxiliary colonoscopy balloon cannula according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the balloons has an anti-slip structural layer on its outer surface to increase the frictional resistance between the balloon and the colonic mucosa.

5. The disposable auxiliary colonoscopy balloon cannula according to claim 4, characterized in that, The anti-slip structural layer is one or more combinations of raised dot-like particles, diamond-shaped patterns, ring stripes, or spiral patterns.

6. The disposable assisted colonoscopy balloon cannula according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the sleeve body is provided with a hydrophilic super-slippery coating.

7. The disposable auxiliary colonoscopy balloon cannula according to claim 1, characterized in that, An operating handle is provided at one end of the sleeve body adjacent to the inflation conduit.

8. The disposable assisted colonoscopy balloon cannula according to claim 1, characterized in that, A contrast ring is provided at the end of the cannula body away from the inflation conduit.

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