Anchoring and positioning device and method for an endoscope

[0002] This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/044,836 filed Mar. 20, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,585.

[0003] The present invention relates to an anchoring and positioning balloon device deployed using an endoscope. More particularly, the present invention relates to an inflatable balloon used to secure the position of an endoscope when the endoscope is situated within a body cavity. The present invention also relates to a method for anchoring and positioning a balloon device within a body cavity.

[0004] Endoscopes are effective devices for diagnosing and treating patients with minimal intervention and discomfort. There are many types of endoscopes configured for different diagnoses and treatments. For example, a duodenoscope is used for examining the duodenum, a colonoscope for examining the colon, and so on. Because of the nature of the operation of an endoscope, it is necessary that the endoscope be flexible and small in diameter in order to follow the tortuous path to various body cavities. A major problem with conventional endoscopes is inadequate stabilization of the endoscope tip after placement at a position for a specific surgical procedure. As a result, endoscopes frequently lose correct orientation and cannulation during surgical procedures. This problem makes the operation of the endoscope much more time-consuming and results in more discomfort to the patient.

[0005] Attempts have been made to alleviate this problem by positioning a balloon about a portion of the endoscope tip to secure its position within the duodenum close to the papilla and to provide a leveraged force reaction during stent placement. In such a situation, the balloon is placed opposite to the viewing lens and elevator at the endoscope tip. However, placement of the balloon in this configuration causes a viewing device in the endoscope to be pressed against the mucosa, thus preventing a good view during the operation of the endoscope. A donut-shaped balloon has also been tested but prevented smooth operation of the viewing and working devices of the endoscope.

[0006] Thus, there is a need to provide an endoscope with an anchoring and positioning device that provides a solution to aforementioned problems.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope with an anchoring and positioning device that facilitates examination of and surgical procedures within body cavities.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of anchoring and positioning an endoscope within a body cavity.

[0009] A still further object of the present invention is to provide both a method and apparatus for anchoring and positioning an endoscope wherein the field of view of the user of the endoscope is not diminished.

[0010] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

[0011] To achieve the objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention comprises an endoscope having a distal end section having a section length, a major peripheral part, and a minor peripheral part. A window section is located on the minor peripheral part. An inflatable balloon having an axial length corresponding to the section length is shaped as a cradle circumscribing the major peripheral part. The balloon is capable of spacing the window section from a wall of a lumen surrounding the endoscope. The present invention also comprises a means for inflating and deflating the balloon.

[0012] The present invention further comprises a method for anchoring and positioning an endoscope having a distal end section having a section length, a major peripheral part, and a minor peripheral part with a window portion, including the steps of attaching an inflatable balloon having an axial length corresponding to the section length over the distal end section and a cradle portion circumscribing the major peripheral part, and spacing the window section from a wall of a body cavity, inserting the distal end section of the endoscope into a body cavity, inflating the balloon in the body cavity for anchoring and thereby positioning the endoscope.

[0013] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings,

[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of an anchoring and positioning device in accordance with the present invention; and

[0016] FIG. 2 is a front view of the anchoring and positioning device shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0018] In accordance with the present invention, an endoscope is provided with an anchoring and positioning device, such as an inflatable balloon at a distal end section of the endoscope. The balloon is shaped to include an annular portion and a contiguous cradle portion that provides a balloon opening over a window section of the endoscope.

[0019] A preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is used with a side-view type endoscope 10 provided with a distal end section 12. Side-view type endoscope 10 is suitable for examining the duodenum, and it is called a duodenoscope. The present invention can also be used with an end-view type endoscope, suitable for examining the colon, and called a colonoscope. As is typical, the endoscope 10 has a flexible elongated tubular body. The diameter of the endoscope 10 may vary, but approximates 10 mm for most applications. The distal end section 12 is located at the tip of the endoscope 10 and is inserted into the body cavity to be examined. Endoscope 10, in general, includes an illumination device 20, a viewing device 22, and a working lumen or channel 24. The illumination 20 device provides light for an endoscopic operation in a dark body cavity. The viewing device 22, such as a TV camera, captures an image in the body cavity, and the image is electrically or optically transmitted through the tubular body of endoscope 10. The working channel 24 extends from the distal end section 12 through the tubular body of endoscope 10, and is generally made of tetrafluoroethylene resin. The working channel 24 is designed to accommodate various medical instruments and devices, such as a stent. Moreover, the working channel 24 may be equipped with an elevator 43 capable of changing the direction of a medical instrument inserted therein. Such an elevator is commonly known in the art and is controlled by the endoscope operator at the proximal end of the endoscope 10.

[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the distal end section 12 has a section length 16, a major peripheral part 14, and a minor peripheral part 15. The section length 16 is an axial length of the distal end section 12 along the endoscope 10, and it may vary depending on the intended application of endoscope 10 but approximates 20 mm for a duodenoscope. The major peripheral part 14 is a relatively large arcuate area portion of the distal end section 12 of the endoscope 10. On the other hand, the minor peripheral part 15 is a relatively small arcuate area portion of the end section.

[0021] The distal end section 12 has a window section 18 on the minor peripheral part 15. The window section 18 is equipped with illumination device 20, viewing device 22, and an end of the working channel 24. The window length 26 is defined as the length of the window section 18 in the axial direction. Preferably, the window length 26 is smaller than the section length 16 of the distal end section 12; therefore, the distal end section 12 has a remaining section length 28 defined by the difference in length between the section length 16 and the window length 26 in the axial direction of the endoscope 10.

[0022] An anchoring and positioning device for the endoscope 10, in the form of an inflatable balloon 30, is attached to the distal end section 12 of the endoscope 10. The inflatable balloon 30 is used for anchoring the endoscope 10 as well as for providing leverage for the operation of medical instruments extending through working channel 24 into a desired body cavity. Additionally, the endoscope 10 can be precisely positioned by adjusting inflation of the balloon 30. The balloon 30 is made of a material with a high friction coefficient so that it attaches naturally to the endoscope 10, and it is preferably made of ethylene vinyl acetate or polyethylate. The balloon 30 can be attached to the endoscope 10 due to friction between the balloon material and the endoscope. As the balloon 30 is inflated, the friction increases, strengthening the attachment between the balloon and the endoscope. In another embodiment, the balloon 30 may be attached to the endoscope 10 by an adhesive suitable for endoscopic use. The balloon 30 has an axial length approximately the same as the section length 16, but the size of the balloon 30 may vary depending on its application. For a duodenoscope, preferably, the 180-degree outer diameter of the balloon 30 is approximately 20-25 mm when it is inflated.

[0023] Balloon 30 includes a cradle portion 34, which circumscribes the major peripheral part 14 of the distal end section 12. The cradle portion 34 of the inflated balloon 30 has an arcuate length corresponding to the major peripheral part 14 and terminates at arcuate ends 35. When the balloon 30 is inflated, the arcuate ends 35 radially extend from endoscope 10 to provide a balloon opening 38 between the window section 18 and a wall 27 of a passage surrounding the endoscope 10. The wall 27 is a part of the body cavity into which the endoscope 10 is extended. During operation of the endoscope 10 with the balloon 30 inflated, the cradle portion 34 spaces the window section 18 from the examining area, thus providing a good view of and a sufficient working space relative to the wall 27. The arcuate length of the cradle portion 34 may vary depending on the application and design of the endoscope 10.

[0024] Preferably, the arcuate ends 35 are connected at the proximal end of the axial length of the inflated balloon 30. Thus, the balloon 30 has an annular portion 32 circumscribing a remaining section 28 of the distal end section 12 that is not occupied by the window section 18. The annular portion 32 of the balloon 30 is preferably shaped such that the balloon 30 has the same outer diameter throughout the full circular configuration when the balloon 30 is inflated.

[0025] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1, a cap 39 is attached to the distal end of the balloon 30 to prevent it from sliding in the axial direction away from the distal end section 12 of the endoscope 10. The cap 39 is preferably made of the same material as the balloon 30 or a similar plastic material attached to the balloon 30. However, the cap 39 is not inflatable.

[0026] The anchoring and positioning device of the present invention also includes a means for inflating and deflating the balloon 30. As shown in FIG. 1, a catheter 40 is coupled to the balloon 30 to introduce a fluid in and out of the balloon 30 for inflation and deflation. Preferably, the medium used for the inflation and the deflation of the balloon 30 is air, water, or a contrast mixture for fluoroscopic visualization. The catheter 30 is preferably made of nylon, pebax (a plastic material known to one skilled in the art), polyethylene, or other suitable material, and preferably has a length of about 180 cm. As shown in FIG. 1, the catheter 40 extends from the balloon 30 along the flexible tubular body of the endoscope 10. Preferably, the catheter 40 is fastened to the tubular body of the endoscope 10 with a fastener 42 in order to minimize tissue resistance in body cavities. The fastener 42 is preferably made of silicone or latex bands.

[0027] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.