# US 2003/0195387 A1 · Methods and appartus for delivering a medical instrument over an endoscope while the endoscope is in a body lumen > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2003/0195387 A1 - Document ID: US20030195387A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 10/442,541 - Filed: 2003-05-21 - Published: 2003-10-16 - Earliest claimed: 2001-08-16 - Assignees: Syntheon, LLC - Inventors: Juergen A. Kortenbach; Charles R. Slater; Michael Sean McBrayer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20030195387A1 ## CPC - A61B 1/00073: {with externally grooved shaft} - A61B 1/00087: {Tools (A61B17/00234 takes precedence)} - A61B 1/0014: {Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands} - A61B 1/018: for receiving instruments - A61B 17/1285: {for minimally invasive surgery} - A61B 90/50: Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms - A61B 10/06: Biopsy forceps {, e.g. with cup-shaped jaws} - A61B 2017/00296: {mounted on an endoscope} - A61B 2017/320064: {with tissue or sample retaining means} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Methods and apparatus for delivering a medical instrument over the exterior of an endoscope while the endoscope is installed in the patient's body allow the use of instruments which are too large to fit through the lumena of an endoscope. Furthermore, the invention allows the elimination of working lumena in an endoscope thereby minimizing the likelihood of contamination. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for delivering a medical instrument over an endoscope to a procedural site while the endoscope is in a body lumen, said apparatus comprising: a) a collar dimensioned to fit over the endoscope and having a radial opening such that said collar may be fit over the endoscope radially; b) a medical instrument coupled to said collar; and c) actuation means coupled to said medical instrument for remotely operating said medical instrument. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said medical instrument includes a pair of opposed jaws, said actuation means includes a flexible coil and a pull wire coupled to said jaws and a manually operable actuator coupled to said coil and pull wire. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: said jaws have a locking cam such that they can be locked in the closed position, and said jaws are separable from said coil and pull wire. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said collar includes a plurality of spaced apart resilient straps. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said collar is a flexible sheath and said radial opening is a reclosable seam. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: said reclosable seam is selected from the group consisting of a zipper, a ZIPLOC™, VELCRO™, an adhesive tape, snaps, and buttons. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said collar is a bifurcated cylinder having a live hinge and a locking clip. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: said collar has an interior low friction surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: said low friction surface is a slippery coating. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: said low friction surface includes a plurality of cilia. ### Claim 11 An apparatus for delivering a medical instrument over an endoscope to a procedural site while the endoscope is in a body lumen, said apparatus comprising: a) a flexible structure having a length substantially equal to the length of the endoscope and having a radial discontinuity along substantially all of its length; and b) a tangential sheath extending along substantially the entire length of said flexible structure and defining a lumen through said tangential sheath. ### Claim 12 An apparatus for delivering a medical instrument over an endoscope to a procedural site while the endoscope is in a body, said apparatus comprising: a) a surface track extending along substantially the entire length of the endoscope; and b) a medical instrument having a track engaging member which is slidable along substantially the entire length of said track. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: said surface track is substantially inverted T shaped. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: said surface track is defined either by the endoscope or by an overscope extending over the endoscope. ### Claim 15 A method for delivering a medical instrument over an endoscope to a procedural site while the endoscope is in a body lumen; said method comprising: a) attaching a medical instrument to a collar dimensioned to fit over the endoscope and having a radial opening such that said collar may be fit over the endoscope radially; b) attaching the collar to the endoscope by moving it radially over the endoscope; and c) advancing the collar with the medical instrument along the surface of the endoscope to the procedural site. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15, wherein the medical instrument includes a pair of opposed jaws, said method further comprising: d) opening and/or closing the jaws at the procedural site. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, wherein the endoscope has a working lumen, said method further comprising: e) closing the jaws onto a tissue; f) delivering a treating instrument through the working lumen of the endoscope to the tissue; and g) treating the tissue with the treating instrument while the tissue is grasped by the jaws of the medical instrument. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, further comprising: e) closing the jaws onto a tissue; f) locking the jaws closed; and g) detaching the jaws from the medical instrument. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15, wherein: said collar includes a plurality of spaced apart resilient straps, and said step of attaching the collar to the endoscope includes placing the collar with its straps open adjacent the endoscope and closing the straps over the endoscope. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15, wherein: said collar is a flexible sheath, said radial opening is a reclosable seam, and said step of attaching the collar to the endoscope includes placing the endoscope into the open seam and closing the reclosable seam. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15, wherein: said collar is a bifurcated cylinder having a living hinge and a locking clip, and said step of attaching the collar to the endoscope includes closing the cylinder over the endoscope and locking it with the locking clip. ### Claim 22 A method for delivering a medical instrument over an endoscope to a procedural site while the endoscope is in a body, said method comprising: a) attaching a flexible structure having a length substantially equal to the length of the endoscope to the endoscope via a radial discontinuity along substantially all of the length of the extrusion; and b) delivering a medical instrument to a procedural site via a tangential sheath extending along substantially the entire length of the flexible structure. ### Claim 23 A method for delivering a medical instrument over an endoscope to a procedural site while the endoscope is in a body, said method comprising: a) attaching a medical instrument having a track engaging member to a surface track extending along substantially the entire length of the endoscope; and b) advancing the medical instrument along the track to the surgical site.