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US 6,547,724 B1Granted
Flexible sleeve slidingly transformable into a large suction sleeve
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsJon Soble, Anthony Tremaglio
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sleeve is provided for placing over a flexible endoscope. The sleeve has a port between its distal and proximal openings and the port is connected to a vacuum source. Once the endoscope is retracted proximal to the suction port, the sleeve's proximal opening is sealed off and the entire sleeve is turned into a suction lumen. Devices and methods in accordance with the invention provide improvement in removing materials from body cavities, especially in removing stones from the upper urinary tract.
Claims19
A method for removing unwanted materials from a body cavity, comprising the steps of:
- providing a sleeve comprising a flexible tubular member defining a distal opening, a proximal opening, and a lumen extending from the distal opening to the proximal opening, the tubular member further comprising a port disposed between the distal opening and the proximal opening, thereby defining a passageway extending from the distal opening, through a portion of the lumen, and to the port;
- inserting an elongated instrument having a distal end into the sleeve through its proximal opening such that the distal end of the instrument is proximal to the port and providing a seal between the sleeve and the instrument;
- placing the sleeve inside a body cavity so that the distal opening of the sleeve is near materials to be removed;
- and
- applying suction to the port.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.