Protective Sheath for an Endoscope

A protective sheath for an endoscope, the sheath comprising:

• an elongated shaft disposed along a shaft axis and including a distal end and a proximal end and having a longitudinal bore extending from a bore proximal opening at the shaft proximal end to a bore distal opening at the shaft distal end;
• wherein the longitudinal bore is sized for receiving an endoscope tube inserted axially into the bore from the shaft proximal end;
• and
• a hood disposed at the shaft distal end, wherein the hood comprises:
• a hood cover and a pair of opposing sidewalls that define a hood interior space;
• a hood distal portion comprising a generally flat surface terminating in a forward-projecting cutting edge adapted for cutting muscle, fat or other soft tissue;
• and
• a hood proximal portion having a width that is greater than a maximum width of the shaft at the bore distal opening;
• wherein the hood proximal portion defines an opening to the hood interior space, and the hood proximal opening is laterally offset from the shaft distal end and is configured to receive a portion of a surgical instrument within the hood interior space.

A protective sheath for an endoscope comprising:

• an elongated shaft disposed along a shaft axis and including a distal end and a proximal end and having a bore extending longitudinally from a bore proximal opening at the shaft proximal end to a bore distal opening at the shaft distal end;
• wherein the longitudinal bore is sized for receiving an endoscope tube inserted axially therein;
• wherein the shaft distal end includes a shovel-shaped hood having an interior space and comprising:
• a hood cover and a sidewall extending from the cover to a rim that includes a generally planar flange disposed opposite the hood cover, wherein the flange comprises a rib disposed generally parallel to the shaft axis and projecting outwardly beyond an outermost portion of the sidewall;
• a hood distal portion comprising a generally flat surface disposed generally parallel to the shaft axis and having a forward-projecting distal edge disposed generally perpendicular to the shaft axis;
• and
• a hood proximal portion having a width that is greater than a maximum width of the shaft at the bore distal opening;
• wherein the hood proximal portion defines an opening to the hood interior space, which opening is laterally offset from the shaft distal end and is configured to receive a portion of a surgical instrument within the hood interior space.