INFLATABLE GUIDE DEVICE

Abstract

A guide device for an endoscope includes a plurality of tubular members that are configured to be inflated and collapsed. The plurality of tubular members are arranged and joined to form a composite tubular configuration defining a lumen. The guide device is configured to receive an endoscope within the lumen and guide the endoscope along a path within an organ.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following exemplary figures are provided to supplement the description below and more clearly describe the invention. In the figures, like elements are generally designated with the same reference numeral for illustrative convenience and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a configuration of a portion of a component tubular member of a tubular member assembly comprising a guide device in inflated state wherein straight and looped sections are alternately arranged according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a configuration of a portion of a support portion of a tubular member assembly, having a plurality of component tubular members in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 1, comprising a guide device in inflated state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a configuration of a portion of a shaped portion of a tubular member assembly, corresponding to a support portion of the tubular member assembly in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 2A, comprising a guide device in inflated state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of another configuration of a portion of a support portion of a tubular member assembly, having a plurality of component tubular members in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 1, comprising a guide device in inflated state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of another configuration of a portion of a shaped portion of a tubular member assembly, corresponding to a support portion of the tubular member assembly in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 3A, comprising a guide device in inflated state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of yet another configuration of a portion of a support portion of a tubular member assembly, having a plurality of component tubular members in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 1, comprising a guide device in inflated state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of yet another configuration of a portion of a shaped portion of a tubular member assembly, corresponding to a support portion of the tubular member assembly in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 4A, comprising a guide device in inflated state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a configuration of a portion of a support portion of a tubular member assembly, having a plurality of spiral-shaped component tubular members, comprising a guide device in inflated state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a configuration of a portion of a shaped portion of a tubular member assembly, corresponding to a support portion of the tubular member assembly in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 5A and having a plurality of spiral-shaped component tubular members, comprising a guide device in inflated state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a configuration of a portion of a component tubular member in inflated state, which can be used to construct the support portion of a tubular member assembly in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 5A comprising a guide device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of portions of a plurality of component tubular members as shown in FIG. 6A in inflated state showing in detail how they may be joined with one another to construct a part of the support portion of a tubular member assembly in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 5A comprising a guide device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of the supply tube assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of another exemplary configuration of the supply tube assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the housing for the tubular member mounted tightly encircling the shaft of an endoscope ready to be introduced into the colon according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation showing an endoscope and a guide device partially deployed in the colon according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A guide device for an endoscope, the guide device comprising: a plurality of tubular members that are configured to be inflated and collapsed,wherein the plurality of tubular members are arranged and joined to form a composite tubular configuration defining a lumen, andwherein the guide device is configured to receive an endoscope within the lumen and guide the endoscope along a path within an organ.

2. The guide device of claim 1, wherein the guide device is configured to be a single-use component that is to be discarded after a single use.

3. The guide device of claim 1, wherein the guide device has no more than ten tubular members.

4. The guide device of claim 1, wherein the tubular members are joined using fasteners.

5. The guide device of claim 1, wherein the tubular members are joined using an adhesive.

6. The guide device of claim 2, wherein the tubular members are inflated using fluid.

7. The guide device of claim 3, wherein said fluid includes air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof.

8. The guide device of claim 3, wherein said fluid includes water, saline solution, or a combination thereof.

9. The guide device of claim 3, wherein said fluid is pressurized at a pressure between 0.2 atmosphere and 8 atmosphere.

10. The guide device of claim 1, wherein said lumen has a width in the range between 5 mm and 20 mm.

11. The guide device of claim 1, wherein said tubular members have cross sectional dimensions in the range between 5 mm and 20 mm when fully inflated.

12. The guide device of claim 1, wherein said tubular members have wall thicknesses of no more than 0.05 mm.

13. The guide device of claim 1, wherein said tubular members include polyethylene terephthalate.

14. The guide device of claim 1, wherein said tubular members include polypropylene or polyamide.

15. The guide device of claim 1, wherein said tubular members are coated with polytetrafluoroethylene or hydrophilic polymer.

16. A guide device for an endoscope, the guide device comprising: a plurality of tubular members that are configured to be inflated and collapsed, the tubular members including a plurality of straight portions and a plurality of looped portions, wherein the straight portions and the looped portions are arranged in an alternating manner,wherein the tubular members are arranged and joined to form a composite tubular configuration defining a lumen, andwherein the guide device is configured to receive an endoscope in the lumen and guide the endoscope along a path within an organ.

17. The guide device of claim 15, wherein said looped portions are substantially of spiral shape.

18. A guide device for an endoscope, the guide device comprising: a plurality of tubular members that are configured to be inflated and collapsed, the tubular members including a plurality of support portions and a plurality of shaped portions,wherein the support portions and the shaped portions are arranged in an alternating manner,wherein the tubular members are arranged and joined to form a composite tubular configuration defining a lumen, andwherein the guide device is configured to receive an endoscope within the lumen and guide the endoscope along a path within an organ.