Inflatable member for an endoscope sheath

摘要

Apparatus and methods for attaching and forming enclosed inflatable members on an endoscope assembly with a disposable sheath are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a flexible and resilient cuff member that is positioned on the outer surface of the disposable sheath and sealably and fixedly bonded to the sheath cover material at the cuff edges to form an annular space capable of being inflated. The inflatable member formed thereby is inflated through a lumen internal to the sheath that has an opening into the interior annular space. The inflatable member may be inflated to exert a longitudinal force on the insertion tube, thereby moving the endoscope assembly along a body passage. Alternately, a sheath may include a plurality of inflatable cuffs that may be inflated to create an isolated space therebetween within the body passage.

主权项

1. An assembly, comprising;
a sheath having a body portion adapted to at least partially encapsulate an insertion tube; a first radially expandable flexible member sealably coupled to the body portion and defining a first inner region adapted to be inflated, the first radially expandable flexible member including a first portion capable of a first expansion when inflated, and a second portion capable of a second expansion when inflated, the first expansion being greater than the second, the first radially expandable flexible member configured to develop a longitudinally-directed biasing force when inflated and the first portion contacts a passage wall; a second radially expandable flexible member sealably coupled to the body portion and defining a second inner region adapted to be inflated, the second radially expandable flexible member including a first portion capable of a first expansion when inflated, and a second portion capable of a. second expansion when inflated, the first expansion being greater than the second, the second expandable flexible member configured to develop a second longitudinally directed biasing force when inflated and the first portion contacts the passage wall, wherein the second longitudinally-directed biasing ibrce is in the opposing direction of the longitudinally-directed biasing force of the first radially expandable flexible member, wherein the first and second expandable flexible members are spaced apart along a length of the sheath and defining one or more isolated body spaces that extend between the members when the members are inflated within a body passage; and at least one fluid passage coupled to the flexible members and fluidly communicating with the first inner region and second inner region.