| 摘要 |
A colonic overtube for maintaining a sigmoid colon in a straightened configuration has a proximal end for location externally of a colon, and a distal end for insertion into a colon. A colonoscope lumen extends through the overtube to facilitate passing the overtube over a colonoscope. The overtube has a convoluted corrugation which extends along the entire length of the overtube from the proximal end to the distal end. The corrugated configuration of the overtube provides the overtube with laterally flexibility so that the overtube may flex substantially without kinking during advancement of the overtube through a colon. A flexible seal, in the form of a tubular silicone sheath of film material, is provided at the distal end of the overtube for sealing between the overtube and a colonoscope extending through the colonoscope lumen. The flexible nature of the seal enables the seal to adapt itself to the size of the colonoscope extending through the colonoscope lumen to achieve a secure, effective seal between the overtube and a colonoscope regardless of the colonoscope size. |
