ENDOSCOPIC APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH INFLATABLE PROPELLING SLEEVE

摘要

An apparatus (10) for endoscopic examination of a body passage includes a flexible endoscope and an inflatable sleeve (42), which upon inflation is capable of propelling the endoscope within the body passage. The endoscope is provided with a proximal end (12) and with a distal end (16), which comprises an insertion tube, a bending section (32) and a probe (36). The sleeve comprises a rear folded portion (15) and a frontal unfolded portion (17). The sleeve is detachably coupled with the insertion tube, wherein the rear portion of the sleeve is located behind the bending section. During the endoscopic examination the rear portion unfolds upon inflation and propels the endoscope within the body passage, while the frontal portion remains deflated and covers the bending section and the probe.