Endoscope Hood

Abstract

An endoscopic hood configured to be attached to a distal end of an endoscope, the endoscopic hood comprising a flexible, hollow cylindrical body extending between a first end and a second end, the hollow cylindrical body having a lumen extending therethrough for receiving the distal end of the endoscope through an opening at the first end of the cylindrical body and enabling the distal end to be positioned adjacent the second end, the hollow cylindrical body having an inner surface for engaging and receiving the tip of the endoscope, the outer surface of the cylindrical body being formed by one or more rows of contoured outer portions arranged between the first end and the second end of the cylindrical body, each of the contoured outer portions having a respective contact surface that converges toward the second end of the cylindrical body so that the contoured outer portion exhibits low frictional resistance during forward movement of the endoscopic hood over the tip of the endoscope through a body cavity and exhibits greater frictional resistance during rearward movement of the endoscopic hood over the tip of the endoscope through the body cavity.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope hood that can be attached to the distal end of an endoscope by a press fit. [Background technology]

[0002] Any mention of conventional methods, devices, or documents is not to be construed as constituting any basis or acceptance that they form or constitute part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] In endoscopy / surgery, flexible instruments are used to view the digestive tract and other body lumens, equipped with fiber optics or charge-couple device (CCD) cameras that allow images to be transmitted around bends and presented on a display screen.

[0004] One problem is related to the anatomy of the colon, which consists of folds. As the tip of the endoscope passes along the lumen of the colon, these folds impede the endoscope operator's ability to visualize the entire surface of the mucosa and, specifically, to find pre-cancerous and malignant lesions hidden in the folds. It is also difficult to maintain the position of the tip of the endoscope as a lesion or polyp is found. This is hypothesized to occur because the tip of the endoscope moves, especially during intubation, when traversing a curve or length of the colon where the intestine has already accordioned over the endoscope shaft, causing the tip to move and glide quickly rather than returning at a constant speed. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide an improved endoscope covering or hood that addresses at least some of the problems associated with the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In an aspect of the disclosure, the invention provides an endoscopic hood configured to be fitted to a distal end of an endoscope, the endoscopic hood comprising a flexible, hollow cylindrical body extending between a first end and a second end, the cylindrical body having a lumen extending therethrough for receiving the distal end of the endoscope through an opening at the first end of the cylindrical body and enabling the distal end to be positioned adjacent the second end, the hollow cylindrical body having an inner surface for engaging and receiving the tip of the endoscope.

[0007] In at least one preferred aspect, the invention provides an endoscopic hood configured to be fitted to a distal end of an endoscope, the endoscopic hood comprising a flexible, hollow cylindrical body having a lumen extending therethrough for receiving the distal end of the endoscope through an opening at the first end of the cylindrical body and enabling the distal end to be positioned adjacent the second end, the hollow cylindrical body having an inner surface for engaging and receiving the tip of the endoscope, and an outer surface of the cylindrical body formed by one or more contoured outer portions arranged in one or more rows between the first and second ends of the cylindrical body, each of the contoured outer portions having a respective contact surface that converges toward the second end of the cylindrical body such that the contoured outer portion exhibits low frictional resistance during forward movement of the endoscopic hood over the tip of the endoscope through a body cavity and exhibits greater frictional resistance during rearward movement of the endoscopic hood over the tip of the endoscope through the body cavity.

[0008] In an embodiment, each of the shaped outer portions comprises a wedge with the contact surface of the wedge converging toward the second end of the cylindrical body, such that the thickness of the wedge decreases in a direction toward the second end of the cylindrical body.

[0009] Preferably, each row of the shaped outer portion comprises a plurality of the wedges arranged circumferentially along the outer portion of the cylindrical body.

[0010] In an embodiment, each wedge in each row of the shaped outer portion is adjacently arranged to form a column of two or more of the wedges arranged between the first end and the second end.

[0011] In an embodiment, an edge of each wedge extends laterally across the outer portion of the cylindrical body, the edges being transverse to a central longitudinal axis passing through the enclosed hollow interior space of the body.

[0012] In an embodiment, the endoscope hood comprises: a plurality of drainage openings disposed adjacent the second end of the cylindrical body; one or more drainage channels disposed along the exterior portion of the body of the endoscope hood, each drainage channel corresponding to a respective drainage opening; It further comprises:

[0013] In an embodiment, the wedges in each of the plurality of circumferentially arranged wedges are isolated from each other from their respective drainage flow paths.

[0014] In embodiments, each drainage channel extends longitudinally from the second end towards the first end of the body.

[0015] In an embodiment, the endoscopic hood further comprises a shaped stop member disposed along the inner surface adjacent the second end of the hollow body to maintain a gap toward a forward viewing direction, the gap being between a lens of the endoscope disposed along the shaped stop member during use and an outer portion defining an opening at the second end of the hollow body, the shaped stop portion comprising one or more drainage openings for allowing fluid to drain from the inner portion adjacent the second end of the endoscopic hood to an outer portion outside the body of the endoscopic hood.

[0016] In an embodiment, the shaped stop member is continuous with the outer portion defining the opening at the second end of the cylindrical body.

[0017] In an embodiment, the plurality of drainage openings are circumferentially disposed about the shaped stop member of the cylindrical body.

[0018] In an embodiment, each of the drainage channels is arranged circumferentially along the outer portion of the body of the endoscope hood.

[0019] In an embodiment, the first end of the cylindrical body comprises flexible elements, each flexible element having, in at least one operable configuration, a body portion that is substantially parallel to the cylindrical body and a flared tip that extends away from the first end and diverges radially away from the outer portion of the cylindrical body of the endoscope hood.

[0020] In an embodiment, the flexible element comprises: a neutral position in which at least some of the flexible elements are aligned with the flared end along a central longitudinal axis of the body, with the flared end diverging during forward movement of the endoscope hood over the distal tip of the endoscope through the body cavity; and a flared position upon progression of engagement with a wall of a body cavity, in which the body portion of the flexible element flares radially outwardly relative to the cylindrical body of the endoscopic hood to engage the wall of the body cavity during rearward movement of the endoscopic hood over the distal end of the endoscope through the body cavity; and The flexible member is adapted to deflect between the

[0021] In embodiments, each of the flexible elements is integrally formed with the first end portion that defines the opening at the first end of the hollow cylindrical body of the endoscope hood.

[0022] In another embodiment, each of the flexible elements is integrally formed with the inner surface of the cylindrical body to allow the flexible element to extend from the first end of the cylindrical body.

[0023] In an embodiment, the length of each of the flexible elements is less than or equal to the height of the cylindrical body of the endoscope hood to prevent the respective tip portions of the flexible elements from extending forward relative to the second end of the cylindrical body.

[0024] In an embodiment, the endoscopic hood comprises at least a first plurality of the flexible elements and a second plurality of flexible elements, wherein a length of each of the flexible elements in the first plurality is greater than a length of each of the flexible elements in the second plurality.

[0025] In an embodiment, the shaped stop member and the outer portion at the second end are configured such that the outer portion defining the opening at the second end lies in a plane that is inclined at an angle within the range of one and ten degrees, and more preferably less than five degrees, relative to an imaginary plane of the outer portion defining the opening at the first end of the cylindrical body.

[0026] In an embodiment, in use, placing the distal end adjacent or against the stop member causes a camera at the distal end to be centred relative to the opening in the second end.

[0027] In another aspect, the endoscopic hood includes one or more drainage openings, preferably disposed along the shaped stop portion, to allow fluid to drain from an inner portion of the endoscopic hood adjacent the second end to an outer portion of the endoscopic hood exterior to the body.

[0028] In an embodiment, the plurality of drainage openings are circumferentially disposed about the shaped stop portion of the cylindrical body.

[0029] In an embodiment, the endoscope hood further comprises one or more drainage channels disposed along the outer portion of the body of the endoscope hood, each drainage channel corresponding to a respective drainage opening.

[0030] In embodiments, each drainage channel extends longitudinally from the second end towards the first end of the body.

[0031] In embodiments, each of the drainage channels is circumferentially disposed along the outer portion of the body of the endoscope hood.

[0032] In another aspect, the invention provides an endoscopic hood configured to be fitted to a distal end of an endoscope, the endoscopic hood comprising a flexible, hollow cylindrical body extending between a first end and a second end, the cylindrical body having a lumen extending therethrough for receiving the distal end of the endoscope through an opening at the first end of the cylindrical body and enabling the distal end to be positioned adjacent the second end, the hollow cylindrical body having an inner surface for engaging and receiving the tip of the endoscope, the first end of the cylindrical body comprising flexible elements, each flexible element having, in at least one operable configuration, a body portion substantially parallel to the cylindrical body and a flared tip extending away from the first end and diverging radially away from the outer portion of the cylindrical body of the endoscopic hood. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] The preferred configurations, embodiments and variations of the present invention can be understood from the following detailed description, which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The detailed description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the preceding summary of the present invention in any way. The detailed description will refer to a number of drawings, as follows: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the tip of a "tip-on-tip" type endoscope (prior art). [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the tip of the tip-on-tip type endoscope with endoscope cap H (prior art). [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a first side view of an endoscope hood 100 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a second side view of the endoscope hood 100. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a third side view of endoscope hood 100. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a first front perspective view of the endoscope hood 100. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a second front perspective view of the endoscope hood 100. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the endoscope hood 100. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the endoscope hood 100. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a first side view of an endoscope hood 200 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the endoscope hood 200. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the endoscope hood 200. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an endoscope hood 300 according to another embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the endoscope hood 300. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] 3-9 show an endoscopic hood 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As is apparent from the above discussion, the endoscopic hood 100 is suitable for attachment to the distal end of an endoscope (as shown in FIG. 1) and for insertion into a body cavity, such as, but not limited to, the colon or other portion of the digestive tract or other body cavity. The tip of the endoscope typically includes one or more image capture devices for viewing the body cavity, and a working lumen (e.g., for introducing instruments to collect tissue samples, or for irrigation or suction, etc.), as is well known in the art. It is important to appreciate that the endoscopic hood 100 is in no way limited to use with the tip of any particular type of endoscope, such as the tip shown in FIG. 1.

[0035] The endoscopic hood 100 includes a flexible, hollow, cylindrical body 110 extending between an insertion end 101 (also referred to throughout this specification as the "first end") and a distal end 102 (also referred to throughout this specification as the "second end"). The hollow cylindrical body 110 includes an interior surface 105 (see FIG. 6) that defines an interior volume for receiving the distal end of the endoscope. During use, the distal end of the endoscope is press-fit into the insertion end 101 and threaded through the lumen to locate the distal end adjacent the distal end 102 of the endoscopic hood 100. The flexible material forming the cylindrical body 110 allows the interior surface 105 (see FIG. 6) of the lumen to engage the distal body of the endoscope and allows the cylindrical body 110 to fit securely onto the tip of the endoscope.

[0036] A profiled stop member 140 is disposed along the inner surface 105 of the cylindrical body. As clearly illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the profiled stop member 140 is disposed adjacent the distal end 102 of the cylindrical body 110 to maintain a predetermined gap in a forward viewing direction when the tip of the endoscope is disposed along the profiled stop member 140. The profiled stop member 140 has a thickness that is high enough to prevent the tip of the endoscope from being inadvertently pushed beyond a recommended focal distance. In use, the outer edge defining the distal end 102 of the cylindrical body 110 contacts the wall of the body cavity into which the endoscope hood 100 attached to the tip of the endoscope is inserted. Placing the tip of the endoscope against the profiled stop member 140 ensures that the tip of the endoscope remains in focus while manipulating the endoscope.

[0037] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, it is clear that the tip of an endoscope incorporating "tip-on-tip" technology requires that the camera tip (also known as the sensor tip) be disposed at an off-center position on the tip. Typically, this results in the camera tip protruding outward at the off-center position of the tip of the endoscope. This is a practical consideration, since a working lumen and a light source must also be provided at the tip. As a result, the use of a conventional endoscope cover or sleeve H (shown in Figure 2) results in the camera tip being positioned too close to the wall of the body cavity. This problem is particularly prevalent during colonoscopy and endoscopic examination of any part of the digestive tract in general, and has adverse effects on examination, including but not limited to slow endoscope insertion and other major drawbacks in very precise examination of mucosal lesions (polyps, malignancies and precursors of malignancies).

[0038] Most of the conventional endoscopic caps or hoods that extend beyond the distal endoscope end are cut in a straight line at the distal end. When such a conventional cap is attached to the tip of the tip-on-tip type endoscope, the distal edge of the conventional endoscopic cap is oriented at a slight angle to the plane of the camera at the tip of the endoscope (see FIG. 2). As a result, any examination of a mucosal lesion with the conventional endoscopic cap will result in a portion of the image being out of focus. The endoscopic hood 100 addresses this problem by configuring the shaped stop member 140 and the outer portion or edge that defines the second end 102 such that the edge at the second end 102 lies in an imaginary plane P2 (see FIG. 3) that is slightly angled relative to an imaginary plane P1 (see FIG. 3) of the edge that defines the insertion opening at the insertion end 101 of the cylindrical body 110. The distal receiving edge of the shaped stop member 140 lies in a plane parallel to the imaginary plane P1. In use, the tip of the endoscope is placed against the tip receiving edge of the stop member 140. Preferably, the plane P2 of the outer edge defining the second end 102 is angled less than ten degrees with respect to the plane of the outer edge defining the first end 101. In a preferred embodiment, the shaped stop member 140 is formed continuously with the outer edge forming the second end 102 of the cylindrical body 110. As a result, the distance between the overall thickness of the shaped stop member 140 varies along the circumference of the cylindrical body. By way of example, the minimum thickness of the shaped stop member 140 in the first position may be 2 mm, and this thickness may vary along the circumference to produce a maximum thickness of, for example, 3 mm or even 4 mm. As a result, the height of the outer wall of the cylindrical body 110 also varies along the circumference. The variation in height of the walls of the cylindrical body 110 is most clearly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

[0039] The shaped stop member 140 is also provided with a plurality of drainage openings 130 arranged circumferentially along the shaped stop member 140. In use, once the tip of the endoscope is placed against the shaped stop member 140, mucosal or other fluids can often accumulate within the interior hollow volume (adjacent the second end 102) in the forward viewing direction. The drainage openings 130 allow such accumulated fluids to be drained from the hollow volume. Each of the circumferentially arranged drainage openings drains the fluid into a corresponding drainage channel 135 recessed into the outer wall of the cylindrical body 110 of the endoscopic hood 100. Each channel 135 extends along the length of the outer wall 105 toward the insertion end 101 of the cylindrical body 110, thereby directing the fluid away from the tip of the endoscope during use.

[0040] Each of the circumferential drainage channels 135 are spaced apart by columns 120 of shaped wedges 122. The wedges 122 are shaped to provide low frictional resistance during forward movement of the endoscopic hood 100 over the tip of the endoscope through a body cavity, and to provide greater frictional resistance during rearward movement of the endoscopic hood 100 over the tip of the endoscope through the body cavity. Each wedge 122 includes an inclined contact surface that slopes radially inward from an edge of the wedge 122 (extending laterally across the outer surface of the cylindrical body 110) toward the second end 102. The orientation of the wedges 122 arranged adjacent each column 120 provides low frictional resistance between the wedge 122 and any wall of the body cavity in which the endoscopic hood 100 is used. On the other hand, during rearward movement (typically during extubation), the protruding edges of each wedge 122 help increase frictional resistance with the walls of the body cavity, which helps flatten the folds of the body cavity.

[0041] Another important consideration relates to the combined effect of the drainage channel 135 and the lateral flow paths formed by the angled faces of each wedge 122 that intersect the drainage channel 135 and provide improved lateral drainage. This mechanism thus aids in providing an overflow path that allows fluid to flow through the lateral flow paths formed by the column 120 of shaped wedges 122 along the outer body of the endoscopic hood 100.

[0042] 10-12, a second embodiment of the endoscopic hood 200 is illustrated. Like reference numerals represent similar features previously described. The endoscopic hood 200 includes flexible elements 270 having a flared configuration that extends away from the insertion end 101 and diverges radially away from the outer portion of the cylindrical body 110 of the endoscopic hood 200. Each of the elements 270 has a substantially elongated, flattened profile with a flared tip portion 274 that is curved in a radially outward diverging direction. Each of the elements 270 is integrally formed with the end of the cylindrical body 110 that defines the insertion opening 101.

[0043] Each of the flexible elements 270 is adapted to flex between a neutral position and a flared position, in which at least some of the flexible elements 270 are aligned along the central longitudinal axis of the body 110 during forward movement of the endoscopic hood 200 over the distal end of the endoscope through the body cavity. In the flared position, rearward movement of the endoscopic hood 200 over the distal end of the endoscope through the body cavity will cause at least some of the flexible elements 270 to spread radially outward relative to the cylindrical body 110 of the endoscopic hood 200 to engage the wall of the body cavity when engagement with the wall of the body cavity develops. A filament 270 is integrally formed with the outer surface 205 of the cylindrical body 110. It is important to note that each flexible element 270 comprises a straight body 272 having a permanently flared tip 274. Such a structure enables the tip 274 to remain flared and engaged with the wall of the body cavity (within a limited range) even during the forward movement of the tip of the endoscope, while at the same time the body portion of the flexible element 270 remains substantially parallel to the cylindrical body 110.

[0044] The provision of the element 270 assists the clinician in straightening the colon during insertion of the tip of the endoscope (with the endoscope hood 200 attached). During extubation of the digestive tract (colon, small intestine, etc.), there are many bends in the colon, and moving forward through such bends generally stretches the intestine, so that the endoscope using known endoscope hoods must be pulled back. Provision of the flexible element 270 alone and / or in combination with the shaping portion 122 prevents the endoscope hood from slipping, thereby allowing the length of the small intestine to be shortened behind the tip 274 of the flexible element 270. The wedge-shaped shaping portion 122 configuration continues to facilitate intubation, as discussed in the previous section. Another advantage of the flexible element 270 having a necessarily curved tip 274 is that during extubation, the flexible element 270 unfolds and folds smoothly along the curved portion of the tip 274, thereby facilitating movement of the endoscope hood 200 with the endoscope attached.

[0045] If the flexible element 270 engages the colon wall during extubation while retracting the endoscopic hood 200, the flexible element 270 must be significantly longer. Therefore, provision of flexible elements with flared tip portions having variable lengths (specifically, a first plurality of elements having a relatively longer length, such as 271, and a second plurality of flexible elements 273) allows the endoscopic hood 200 to stretch the folds of the colon wall during intubation and extubation. It is also believed that provision of a flexible element 270 with multiple lengths increases the overall resistance over a longer retraction distance. This is because once a flexible element (e.g., of the first length 271) engages a mucosal layer, it tends to flex and fold toward the second end of the cylindrical body 110, thereby reducing the resistance it offers. Having flexible elements 270 with variable lengths ensures that all of the flexible elements 270 do not collapse at the same time, thereby increasing the overall resistance offered to the retraction movement of the endoscope hood 200.

[0046] Another important consideration relates to the length of the flexible element 270. The maximum length of the flexible element 270 is selected to ensure that during rearward movement, the flexible element does not extend in a forward direction beyond the second end 102 of the cylindrical body. Such a feature avoids a situation in which the flexible element 270 may obstruct or interfere with the view of a camera at the tip of the endoscope in the forward direction.

[0047] 13 and 14, another embodiment of an endoscopic hood 300 is illustrated. Again, like reference numerals refer to similar features previously described. The endoscopic hood 300 includes flexible elements 370 having a flared configuration that extends away from the insertion end 101 and diverges radially away from the outer portion of the cylindrical body 110 of the endoscopic hood 300. Importantly, unlike the endoscopic hood 200 previously described, the flexible elements 370 are attached to and extend from the inner surface of the cylindrical body 110 of the endoscopic hood 300, and do not extend from the outer surface 305 of the cylindrical body 110. Each of the elements 370 also includes a substantially elongated, flattened profile having a flared tip portion 374 that is curved in a radially outward diverging direction. Each of the elements 370 is integrally formed with the inner surface of the cylindrical body 110 and each of the elements is not directly attached to the outer surface 305 of the cylindrical body 110 of the endoscope hood 300.

[0048] The flexible elements 370 are also adapted to flex between a neutral position and a flared position, in which at least some of the flexible elements 370 are aligned along the central longitudinal axis of the body 110 during forward movement of the endoscopic hood 300 over the distal end of the endoscope through the body cavity. In the flared position, rearward movement of the endoscopic hood 300 over the distal end of the endoscope through the body cavity will cause at least some of the flexible elements 370 to spread radially outward relative to the cylindrical body 110 of the endoscopic hood 300 to engage the wall of the body cavity when engagement with the wall of the body cavity develops. It is important to note that each flexible element 370 comprises a straight body 372 having a permanent flared tip 374. Such a structure enables the tip 374 to remain divergently engaged with the wall of the body cavity (within a limited range) even during the forward movement of the tip of the endoscope, while at the same time the body portion of the flexible element 370 remains substantially parallel to the cylindrical body 110.

[0049] The applicants hypothesize that, at least in the application, and specifically in the flared configuration, the flexible element 370 is unlikely to detach from the cylindrical body 110 of the endoscope hood 300 because the flexible element 370 is attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical body 110.

[0050] The provision of element 370 assists the clinician in straightening the colon during insertion of the tip of the endoscope (with the endoscope hood 300 attached) in the same manner as described for the flexible element 270 in the previous section.

[0051] The invention has been described in terms generally specific to structural or method features in accordance with the statute. The term "comprise" and variations thereof, such as "comprising" and "comprised of," are used inclusively throughout and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

[0052] It is to be understood that the devices described herein comprise preferred forms for embodying the invention, and therefore the invention is not limited to the specific configurations shown or described.

[0053] The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims as appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. 1. An endoscope hood configured to be attached to a distal end of an endoscope, the endoscope hood comprising: a flexible, hollow, cylindrical body extending between a first end and a second end, the flexible, hollow, cylindrical body having a lumen extending therethrough for receiving the distal end of the endoscope through an opening at the first end of the cylindrical body and for positioning the distal end adjacent the second end, the hollow cylindrical body having an inner surface for engaging and receiving a tip of the endoscope; the cylindrical body is formed by one or more rows of contoured outer portions arranged between the first end and the second end of the cylindrical body, each of the contoured outer portions having a respective contact surface that converges toward the second end of the cylindrical body such that the contoured outer portion exhibits low frictional resistance during forward movement of the endoscopic hood over the tip of the endoscope through a body cavity and exhibits greater frictional resistance during rearward movement of the endoscopic hood over the tip of the endoscope through the body cavity, the cylindrical body formed by the contoured outer portions having an inner surface for receiving and engaging the tip of the endoscope during forward and rearward movement, each of the shaped outer portions comprises a wedge with the contact surface of the wedge converging toward the second end of the cylindrical body, whereby a thickness of a wedge-shaped shaped structure decreases in a direction toward the second end of the cylindrical body; each row of the shaped outer portion includes a plurality of the wedges arranged circumferentially along the outer portion of the cylindrical body; each wedge in each row of the shaped outer portion is adjacently arranged to form a column of two or more of the wedges arranged between the first end and the second end; an edge of each wedge extends laterally across an outer portion of the cylindrical body, the edge being transverse to a central longitudinal axis passing through the enclosed hollow interior space of the body; The endoscope hood includes: a plurality of drainage openings disposed adjacent the second end of the cylindrical body; one or more drainage channels disposed along an exterior portion of the body of the endoscope hood, each drainage channel corresponding to a respective drainage opening; An endoscope hood, wherein the wedges in each of the plurality of circumferentially arranged wedges are isolated from each other from their respective drainage flow paths.

2. The endoscope hood of claim 1 , wherein each drainage channel extends longitudinally from the second end toward the first end of the body.

3. 3. The endoscopic hood of claim 1, further comprising a shaped stop member disposed along the inner surface adjacent the second end of the hollow body to maintain a gap toward a forward viewing direction, the gap being between a lens of the endoscope disposed along the shaped stop member in use and an outer portion defining an opening at the second end of the hollow body, the shaped stop member comprising one or more drainage openings for allowing fluid to drain from an inner portion adjacent the second end of the endoscopic hood to an outer portion outside the body of the endoscopic hood.

4. The endoscope hood of claim 3 , wherein the shaped stop member is continuous with the outer portion that defines the opening at the second end of the cylindrical body.

5. The endoscope hood of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of drainage openings are circumferentially disposed along the shaped stop member of the cylindrical body.

6. The endoscope hood according to claim 1 , wherein each of the drainage channels is arranged circumferentially along the outer portion of the body of the endoscope hood.

7. 7. The endoscopic hood of claim 1, wherein the first end of the cylindrical body comprises flexible elements, each flexible element comprising, in at least one operable configuration, a body portion that is substantially parallel to the cylindrical body and a flared tip that extends away from the first end and diverges radially away from the outer portion of the cylindrical body of the endoscopic hood.

8. The flexible element comprises: a neutral position in which at least some of the flexible elements are aligned along a central longitudinal axis of the body with the flared tip diverging during forward movement of the endoscope hood over the distal tip of the endoscope through the body cavity; and 8. The endoscopic hood of claim 7, wherein during rearward movement of the endoscopic hood over the distal end of the endoscope through the body cavity, the body portion of the flexible element is adapted to flex between a flared position and a flared position in which engagement with a wall of a body cavity progresses, the body portion of the flexible element flaring in a radially outward direction relative to the cylindrical body of the endoscopic hood to engage the wall of the body cavity.

9. 9. The endoscopic hood of claim 7, wherein a length of each of the flexible elements is equal to or less than a height of the cylindrical body of the endoscopic hood to prevent a tip portion of each of the flexible elements from extending forward relative to the second end of the cylindrical body.

10. 10. An endoscope hood as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising at least a first plurality of flexible elements and a second plurality of flexible elements, wherein a length of each of the flexible elements in the first plurality is greater than a length of each of the flexible elements in the second plurality.

11. 11. The endoscope hood of claim 7, wherein each of the flexible elements is integrally formed with the inner surface of the cylindrical body to enable the flexible element to extend from the first end of the cylindrical body.

12. 12. The endoscope hood of claim 7, wherein each of the flexible elements is integrally formed with a portion of the first end of the hollow cylindrical body of the endoscope hood that defines the opening in the first end.

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