Endoscope overtube for insertion through a natural body orifice

摘要

An endoscope overtube includes a flexible tubular member and a hub assembly provided at the proximal end of the tubular member. The hub assembly includes an elastic sleeve seal cuff extending about the inner surface of a body member of the hub. The ends of seal cuff are coupled to the body member. An inflation line extends into the body member in communication with the outer surface of the seal cuff. When fluid is pressurized through the inflation line, the cuff is distended inward to reduce the size of the opening through the port such that the cuff forms a seal about an endoscope received through the hub. The body member is preferably coupled to each of the flexible tubular member and to the elastic seal cuff using a snap-fit engagement of parts such that no fasteners, welds, glues, etc. are necessary for securing the hub assembly together.

主权项

1. An overtube for use with an endoscope and for insertion through a patient's natural body orifice, said overtube comprising:
a) a tubular member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a length therebetween sufficient to extend from a patient's mouth to a patient's stomach, said tubular member defining a central passage for receiving the endoscope therethrough; and b) a hub assembly coupled to said proximal portion of said tubular member, said hub assembly including
a rigid body member having an inner surface defining an interior opening with a first diameter, an exterior surface, and a fluid connector,a flexible sleeve extending within said inner surface of said body member, said sleeve having an outer surface, an inner surface, and first and second ends, said first and second ends coupled relative to said body member, with said first and second ends of said sleeve everted onto the exterior surface of said body member and fixed relative to said body member, and said outer surface of said sleeve and said inner surface of said body member are in communication with said fluid connector,a tube collar assembly coupled at said first end of said body member, said tube collar assembly connecting said tubular member relative to said hub assembly, and including an inner collar that partly extends into said proximal portion of said tubular member, and an outer collar that extends over said proximal portion of said tubular member and said inner collar to fixedly engage said proximal portion of said tubular member between and to said inner and outer collars, said inner and outer collars directly connected together, andwherein when a fluid is provided under pressure through said fluid connector, said sleeve distends radially inward to define a second diameter smaller than said first diameter such that when the endoscope is inserted through the hub and the sleeve distends to define the second diameter, the sleeve is provided in contact about an exterior surface of the endoscope.