BODY CAVITY LINER

摘要

A body cavity lining means is disclosed having a fluid chamber (9) and at least one further means (29) for providing liner means rigidity, in use. The at least one further means (23) in one embodiment comprises a further fluid chamber. The provision of two fluid chambers provides much greater control over the insertion and removal of the lining means. The provision of tow separate fluid chambers allows the rigidity of the chambers to be controlled independently of eversion. In one embodiment the lining means is used to assist in the insertion of an endoscope for performing a colonoscopy. In one embodiment the at least one further means for providing liner means rigidity comprises a resiliently deformable extendible elongate member. In another embodiment one of the two fluid chambers is formed partially by the endoscope or other semirigid member, and means is provided for advancing the endoscope within the colon. In another aspect of the invention a body cavity liner for a predetermined body cavity type is provided, the liner being adapted to tend to conform to the curvature to the cavity type. In a further aspect a body cavity liner includes an enlargeable part for frictionally engaging the body cavity. In another embodiment the body cavity liner includes valves means mounted thereon for resisting the passage of fluid from the liner to the body cavity. The invention also relates to a method of straightening or locating a body cavity including positioning a fluid chamber in the body cavity and applying fluid pressure to the chamber in the body cavity. The invention further provides of a method of analysing material within a body cavity, the method including everting a liner in the body cavity, withdrawing the liner from the body cavity, and analysing material deposited on the liner.