METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING A MEDICAL INSTRUMENT OVER AN ENDOSCOPE WHILE THE ENDOSCOPE IS IN A BODY LUMEN

摘要

This invention shows methods and apparatuses for delivering a medical instrument over the exterior of an endoscope while the endoscope is installed in the patient's body, allowing the use of instruments that are too large to fit through the lumens of an endoscope. The apparatus comprises: a collar 32, resilient straps 132a, 132b, 132c, a sheath 232 with a reclosable seam 233, a bifurcated cylinder 332 with a locking clip 333, a flexible extrusion 432, 532 with a tangential sheath 413, 513, or an endoscope attachement with a track engaging member 629. Furthermore, the invention allows the elimination of working lumen in an endoscope, thereby minimizing the likelihood of contamination.