Endoscope having a guide tube

Abstract

An endoscope having a guide tube is described herein. The assembly has an endoscope which is slidably insertable within the lumen of a guide tube. The guide tube is configured to be rigidizable along its entire length from a relaxed configuration. The endoscope has a steerable distal portion to facilitate the steering of the device through tortuous paths. In the relaxed configuration, a portion of the guide tube is able to assume the shape or curve defined by the controllable distal portion of the endoscope. Having assumed the shape or curve of the endoscope, the guide tube may be rigidized by the physician or surgeon to maintain that shape or curve while the endoscope is advanced distally through the tortuous path without having to place any undue pressure against the tissue walls.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
     
     
         22 . Apparatus for advancing a first diagnostic or therapeutic instrument into a hollow body organ of unsupported anatomy, the apparatus comprising: a handle; an overtube coupled to the handle, the overtube having a elongated portion, a distal region, a distal opening and a lumen extending therethrough to permit passage of a first diagnostic or therapeutic instrument; an atraumatic tip disposed on the distal region adjacent to the distal opening, wherein the atraumatic tip deflects the hollow body organ in the vicinity of the distal opening so that tissue is not caught or pinched when the first diagnostic or therapeutic instrument is translated through the distal opening.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the overtube includes means for locking the overtube in a bent configuration.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the means for locking the overtube in a bent configuration comprises: a plurality of links, each link having a bore that defines the lumen of the overtube; and means for applying a clamping load to the plurality of links.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the first diagnostic or therapeutic instrument has a steerable distal tip, and the distal region of the overtube comprises a flexible material deflectable by the steerable distal tip of the first diagnostic or therapeutic instrument.  
     
     
         26 . A method for advancing a first diagnostic or therapeutic instrument having a steerable distal tip into an unsupported, hollow body organ, the method comprising: providing an apparatus having a handle and an overtube coupled to the handle, the overtube comprising an elongated portion having a distal opening and a lumen extending therethrough to permit passage of the first diagnostic or therapeutic instrument, and an atraumatic tip disposed adjacent the distal opening; inserting the apparatus with the first diagnostic or therapeutic instrument into the unsupported, hollow body organ; and deflecting the hollow body organ with the atraumatic tip so that tissue is not caught or pinched when the first diagnostic or therapeutic instrument is translated through the distal opening.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising: locking the overtube in a bent configuration; and advancing the first diagnostic or therapeutic instrument through the lumen of the overtube in the bent configuration.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein providing an apparatus comprises providing an apparatus wherein the overtube comprises a plurality of links, each link having a bore that defines the lumen of the overtube, and locking the overtube in a bent configuration comprises applying a clamping load to the plurality of links.