Locally-propelled, intraluminal device with cable loop track and method of use
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorGary L. Long
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A medical device for performing medical procedures inside a lumen (such as the GI tract) of a patient is provided comprising a capsule, a cable, and a propulsion means. The cable can have one end anchored to the patient, and can extend from this anchored portion to the capsule. The cable can include a loop forward (distal) of the capsule in the GI tract. The propulsion means is operably connected to the cable to vary the length of cable between the anchored end and the capsule, so that the capsule is repositioned inside the GI tract of the patient.
Claims31
A medical device for use in a patient's body lumen comprising:
- an apparatus adapted for movement within a body lumen;
- and
- a track extending proximal and distal of said apparatus within the lumen, wherein a portion of said track extending distal of said apparatus comprises a loop.
A medical device for performing medical procedures inside the lumen of a hollow organ of a patient's body, said medical device comprising:
- a capsule positionable inside the lumen;
- a cable coupled to said capsule, wherein said cable includes:
- an anchored portion adapted to be fixed relative to the patient;
- a cable loop extending from said capsule;
- and
- a propulsion means engaging said cable for positioning said capsule along the track.
A method of moving a medical apparatus through a patient's body comprising the steps of:
- propelling the apparatus along a track disposed at least partially within the body;
- and
- increasing the length of the track distal of the apparatus while a portion of the track stationary with respect to a part of the patient's body.
A method of moving an apparatus through a patient's body comprising the steps of propelling the apparatus along a track disposed at least partially within the patient's body, wherein a portion of track disposed within the patient's body comprises a loop.
A method for moving a medical apparatus through a patient's GI tract comprising the steps of:
- providing a track in the patient's GI tract;
- propelling the apparatus along the track to a position proximal of a bend in the GI tract;
- providing additional track length distal of the apparatus to provide a track portion that extends distal of the bend in the GI tract;
- and
- propelling the apparatus on the track through the bend in the GI tract.
A method of moving a medical apparatus through a patient's GI tract comprising the steps of:
- providing a track having two ends and an intermediate portion;
- positioning the intermediate portion of the track in the GI tract distally ahead of the two track ends;
- propelling a medical apparatus along the track to a first position in the GI tract;
- advancing the intermediate portion of the track distally in the GI tract;
- and
- propelling the medical apparatus along the track to a second position distal to the first position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.