Rotate-to-advance catheterization system

Apparatus for visualizing tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of concentric telescoping shafts, the innermost of the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts being sized to receive visualization apparatus disposed within the lumen of that shaft;
• and
• a helical thread disposed on the exterior surface of each of the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts, each of the helical threads having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts are disposed in a bodily passageway so that each of the helical threads engage the interior side wall of the bodily passageway, rotation of the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts will induce a relative movement between the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts and the side wall of the bodily passageway;
• wherein the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts are configured so as to be selectively (i) coupled together so that they are rotated in unison with one another, and (ii) de-coupled from one another so that they may be rotated independently of one another.

A method for accessing the interior of a bodily passageway at a remote location, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a system for deployment in the bodily passageway, the system comprising:
• a plurality of concentric telescoping shafts;
• a helical thread disposed on the exterior surface of each of the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts, each of the helical threads having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts are disposed in the bodily passageway so that each of the helical threads engage the interior side wall of the bodily passageway, rotation of the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts induces a relative movement between the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts and the side wall of the bodily passageway;
• inserting the system into the bodily passageway at a location remote from the site which is to be visualized;
• rotating the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts so as to draw the bodily passageway onto the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts in a pleating fashion, whereby to bring the site which is to be accessed toward the apparatus;
• and
• rotating the innermost concentric telescoping shaft so as to draw the bodily passageway onto the innermost concentric telescoping shaft in a pleating fashion, whereby to bring the site which is to be accessed toward the apparatus.

Apparatus for accessing tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of concentric telescoping shafts, wherein each of the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts comprises a flexible tube;
• and
• a helical thread disposed on the exterior surface of each of the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts, each of the helical threads having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts are disposed in a bodily passageway so that each of the helical threads engages the interior side wall of the bodily passageway, rotation of the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts will induce a relative movement between the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts and the side wall of the bodily passageway;
• wherein the plurality of concentric telescoping shafts are configured so as to be selectively rotatable (i) in unison with one another, and (ii) independently of one another.