MANIPULABLE GUIDE DEVICE

Abstract

A guide device for an endoscope includes a tubular member that is configured to be inflated and collapsed. The tubular member includes a plurality of straight portions, a plurality of looped portions, and a plurality of manipulable portions. The guide device is configured to receive an endoscope 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. 1A is a perspective view of a configuration of a portion of the tubular member comprising a guide device in inflated state wherein straight and looped sections are alternately arranged according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of another configuration of a portion of the tubular member comprising a guide device in inflated state wherein looped sections are successively arranged according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of another configuration of a portion of the tubular member comprising a guide device in inflated state wherein one or more looped sections in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 1A are substituted for looped sections with larger external dimensions according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of another configuration of a portion of the tubular member comprising a guide device in inflated state wherein one or more looped sections in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 1B are substituted for looped sections with larger external dimensions according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3F are cross-sectional views of exemplary tubular members comprising a guide device in inflated state according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary profile support structure incorporated into a portion of the tubular member of non-circular cross-section to help maintain the cross-sectional profile of the tubular member according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 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. 6A 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. 5, comprising a guide device in inflated state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a configuration of a portion of a shaped portion of a tubular member assembly, being complementary to a support portion of the tubular member assembly in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 6A, comprising a guide device in inflated state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A 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. 5, comprising a guide device in inflated state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of another configuration of a portion of a shaped portion of a tubular member assembly, being complementary to a support portion of the tubular member assembly in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 7A, comprising a guide device in inflated state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A 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. 5, comprising a guide device in inflated state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of yet another configuration of a portion of a shaped portion of a tubular member assembly, being complementary to a support portion of the tubular member assembly in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 8A, comprising a guide device in inflated state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9A 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. 9B is a perspective view of a configuration of a portion of a shaped portion of a tubular member assembly, being complementary to a support portion of the tubular member assembly in an exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 9A 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. 10A 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. 9A comprising a guide device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of portions of a plurality of component tubular members as shown in FIG. 10A 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. 9A comprising a guide device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a configuration of a portion of a manipulable section of a tubular member comprising a guide device in inflated state wherein straight and looped sections are alternately arranged according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged planar view of a configuration of a portion of a manipulable section of the tubular member comprising a guide device in an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11 in inflated state showing the details of the cuffs on the looped sections according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another configuration of a portion of a manipulable section of a plurality of tubular members comprising a guide device in inflated state wherein straight and looped sections are alternately arranged according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another configuration of a portion of a manipulable section of the tubular members comprising a guide device in inflated state wherein curved tubes are arranged to form a composite tubular configuration with a lumen and a grid wall according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of the supply tube assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15B is a perspective view of another exemplary configuration of the supply tube assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 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. 17 is a perspective view of a configuration of a portion of a manipulable section of the tubular member comprising a guide device in inflated state wherein the manipulable section is depicted in a bent position with the pull strings drawn tightly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 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 tubular member that is configured to be inflated and collapsed the tubular member including a plurality of straight portions, a plurality of looped portions, and a plurality of manipulable portions,wherein the guide device is configured to receive an endoscope and guide the endoscope along a path within an organ.

2. The guide device of claim 1, further comprising: pull strings configured to actuate the manipulable portions.

3. The guide device of claim 1, where in the manipulable portions have lengths in the range between 2 cm and 50 cm.

4. The guide device of claim 1, where in the manipulable portions have lengths in the range between 5 cm and 25 cm.

5. The guide device of claim 1, where in the manipulable portions are pre-configured to be deployed in a bent position.

6. 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,wherein the composite tubular configuration includes at least one manipulable portion, andwherein the guide device is configured to receive an endoscope and guide the endoscope along a path within an organ.

7. A method for viewing an inside of an organ, the method comprising: inserting an endoscope that is encircled with a tubular member of a guide device, the tubular member being configured to be inflated and deflated, the tubular member having a straight portion, a looped portion and a manipulable portion;inflating at least a portion of the tubular member after at least a portion of the tubular member is inserted into the organ with the endoscope;actuating the manipulable portion of the tubular member after at least the portion of the tubular member is inserted into the organ with the endoscope; andviewing the inside of the organ using the endoscope.

8. A device for viewing inside of an organ, the device including: an endoscope to insert and view inside of an organ; anda guide component provided around the endoscope to facilitate insertion of the endoscope within the organ, the guide component being configured to be expanded and collapsed, the guide component including: a plurality of support sections to provide columnar strength,a plurality of shaped sections to provide flexibility to the guide component, anda plurality of manipulable sections.