초록 ▼

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

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.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A medical device sleeve, comprising: a flexible tubular member defining a distal opening at a distal end, a proximal opening at a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal opening to the proximal opening, the tubular member further comprising a port that enters the

What is claimed is: 1. A medical device sleeve, comprising: a flexible tubular member defining a distal opening at a distal end, a proximal opening at a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal opening to the proximal opening, the tubular member further comprising a port that enters the lumen at a location between the distal opening and the proximal opening, the port dividing the lumen into a distal portion and a proximal portion, the port also for connection to a vacuum source; and a clamp disposed along the flexible tubular member between the port and the proximal opening, configured to allow an elongated instrument to be extended and retracted in the lumen when the clamp is unlocked, and to provide a seal between the tubular member and the instrument when the clamp is locked and the instrument is retracted into the proximal portion of the lumen, such that suction may be applied, via the port, in a space comprising at least a portion of the distal portion of the lumen. 2. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises a ring. 3. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the clamp is made of elastic steel. 4. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the lumen has a diameter of at least 5 mm. 5. The sleeve of claim 4 wherein the distal portion of the lumen has a diameter of at least 6 mm. 6. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein suction is applied in the entire distal portion of the lumen when the clamp is locked to provided the seal. 7. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the port is also for connection to a source of positive pressure. 8. The sleeve of claim 7, wherein the port is further for connection to a selector for selecting between the vacuum source and the source of positive pressure. 9. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the port is further for connection to a pressure regulator. 10. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the port is further for connection to an on/off switch. 11. The sleeve of claim 10, wherein the switch comprises a trumpet valve. 12. The sleeve of claim 1, further comprising a partition in the tubular member dividing the lumen into multiple smaller lumens. 13. The sleeve of 12 wherein at least one of the multiple smaller lumens is for connection to a source of pressurized fluid. 14. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the tubular member comprises a flexible material. 15. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the tubular member comprises a reinforcing material. 16. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the tubular member is coated with a lubricant. 17. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is disposable. 18. A medical device comprising: an endoscope; a flexible sleeve placed over at least a portion of the endoscope, the sleeve defining a distal opening at a distal end, a proximal opening at a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal opening to the proximal opening, the sleeve further comprising a port that enters the lumen at a location between the distal opening and the proximal opening, the port dividing the lumen into a distal portion and a proximal portion, the port also for connection to a vacuum source; and a clamp disposed along the sleeve between the port and the proximal opening, configured to allow the endoscope to be extended and retracted in the lumen of the sleeve when the clamp is unlocked, and to provide a seal between the sleeve and the endoscope when the clamp is locked and the endoscope is retracted into the proximal portion of the lumen, such that suction may be applied, via the port, in a space comprising at least a portion of the distal portion of the lumen. 19. The medical device of claim 18 wherein the endoscope comprises a ureteroscope. 20. The medical device of claim 18 comprising a lithotripter. 21. A medical device, comprising: a flexible tubular member defining a distal opening at a distal end, a proximal opening at a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal opening to the proximal opening, the lumen being configured to allow an elongated instrument to be extended and retracted in the lumen, the tubular member further comprising a port for connection to a vacuum source and that enters the lumen at a location between the distal opening and the proximal opening to divide the lumen into a distal portion and a proximal portion; and seal means for providing a seal between the elongated instrument and the flexible tubular member when the elongated instrument is located in the lumen such that suction may be applied, via the port, in a space comprising at least a portion of the distal portion of the lumen to retrieve objects through the lumen, the seal means being located along the flexible tubular member between the port and the proximal opening. 22. The sleeve of claim 21, wherein the distal portion of the lumen has a diameter of at least 5 mm. 23. The sleeve of claim 21, wherein the distal portion of the lumen has a diameter of at least 6 mm. 24. A medical device, comprising: a flexible tubular member defining a distal opening at a distal end, a proximal opening at a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal opening to the proximal opening, the lumen being configured to allow an elongated instrument to be extended and retracted in the lumen, the tubular member further comprising a port for connection to a vacuum source and that enters the lumen at a location between the distal opening and the proximal opening to divide the lumen into a distal portion and a proximal portion; and a seal device that defines a seal between the elongated instrument and the flexible tubular member when the elongated instrument is located in the lumen such that suction may be applied, via the port, in a space comprising at least a portion of the distal portion of the lumen to retrieve objects through the lumen, the seal device being located along the flexible tubular member between the port and the proximal opening. 25. The medical device of claim 24, wherein the tubular member includes another lumen. 26. The medical device of claim 24, wherein at least a portion of the tubular member is coated with a lubricant. 27. The medical device of claim 24, wherein the medical device is disposable. 28. The medical device of claim 24, wherein the seal device includes a clamp that locks and unlocks. 29. A medical device, comprising: an endoscope; a flexible tubular member defining a distal opening at a distal end, a proximal opening at a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal opening to the proximal opening, the lumen being configured to allow the endoscope to be extended and retracted in the lumen, the tubular member further comprising a port for applying suction to the lumen at a location between the distal opening and the proximal opening and that divides the lumen into a distal portion and a proximal portion; and a seal device that defines a seal between the endoscope and the flexible tubular member when the endoscope is located in the lumen such that suction may be applied, via the port, in a space comprising at least a portion of the distal portion of the lumen to retrieve objects through the lumen.