Instruments having an external working channel

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards instruments for investigation, screening, diagnosis, analysis or therapy and, more particularly, towards embodiments of one or more external working channels along the instrument. In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus having an instrument having an elongate body; and an expandable lumen connected externally to the elongate body and extending from a proximal position on the elongate body to a distal position on the elongate body, the expandable lumen having a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. Alternatives include a method of providing a working channel within the body that positioning an instrument within the body; and providing an external working channel having a lumen that extends along the working channel and outside of the instrument.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.