Variable pressure cleaning device and method

A cleaning device for use with an endoscopic instrument, the device comprising:

• an elongate member configured for translation through a lumen within the endoscopic instrument;
• at least one cleaning element coupled to a portion of the elongate member, wherein the cleaning member comprises distal and proximal end portions and a central portion between the distal and proximal end portions, the central portion having an outer diameter less than the proximal and distal end portions;
• wherein the central portion is shaped to increase a force applied by a fluid within the lumen against an internal wall of the lumen as the cleaning element is advanced through the lumen, and
• wherein the force creates an average pressure between the proximal and distal end portions of the cleaning element of at least about 10 Pa.

A cleaning device for use with an endoscopic instrument, the device comprising:

• an elongate member configured for translation through a lumen within the endoscopic instrument;
• at least one cleaning element coupled to a portion of the elongate member, wherein the cleaning member comprises distal and proximal end portions and a central portion between the distal and proximal end portions, the central portion having an outer diameter less than the proximal and distal end portions;
• wherein the central portion is shaped to increase a force applied by a fluid within the lumen against an internal wall of the lumen as the cleaning element is advanced through the lumen;
• and
• wherein the central portion has a distance and the force creates a pressure of at least 50 Pa in at least 25% of the distance between the proximal and distal end portions of the cleaning element.

A cleaning device for use with an endoscopic instrument, the device comprising:

• an elongate member configured for translation through a lumen within the endoscopic instrument;
• at least one cleaning element coupled to a portion of the elongate member, wherein the cleaning member comprises distal and proximal end portions and a central portion between the distal and proximal end portions;
• wherein the central portion includes a first section coupled to the proximal end portion, a second section coupled to the distal end portion and a third section coupling the first and second sections, wherein the third section has a diameter less than the diameter of the proximal and distal end portions and greater than a diameter of the first and second sections;
• and
• wherein the distal end portion comprises a first fin having a cylindrical element with a diameter substantially equal to or greater than an inner diameter of the lumen and a tapered section that tapers inwardly from the cylindrical element to the third section, wherein the proximal end portion comprises a second fin that tapers outwardly in a distal direction.