| 摘要 |
A device for moving a tool along a passage, particularly for use in medical procedures, has two different aspects. In one aspect, a tool, e.g. a colonoscope, is surrounded by a sheath. The sheath has an inflatable region for engaging the passage wall, e.g. a colon. An annular extension region of the sheath is provided which becomes part of the inflated inflatable region thereby increasing its length as the fluid pressure acts against a head of a tool to draw the tool along the passage. The annular extension region has sheath parts which face one another by their relative orientation caused by crumpling of the extension region, or the sheath parts are provided by folded portions. The extension region moves together with the tool as the sheath parts sequentially move into the inflated inflatable region. This structures avoids the use of an inner wall of the sheath which would move upon and in contact with the tool during use thereby producing resistance to movement of the device along the passage. In the other aspect, after inflation of the inflatable region of the sheath, inflation pressure acts against an inflatable head carried at the distal end region of the tool to draw the tool along the passage. The inflatable head, in medical use, may reduce discomfort, and may be deflated for easy removal of the device.
|
