Catheter introducer system for exploration of body cavities

Abstract

A catheter introducer system for endoscopy is disclosed which includes a steering section and a propulsion section located near the end of the catheter that is introduced in a body cavity, and a non-collapsible sheath defining a working channel, disposed inside the catheter, extending substantially from the proximate to the distal end and maintaining a substantially circular cross-section even when bent along an axis. The propulsion section is designed to pull the rest of the catheter inside the body cavity, so there is no need to push the catheter along. The catheter can thus be made very flexible in bending, and a larger diameter catheter can be used without discomfort to the patient.

1 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A catheter comprising:
 a flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the tube defines a working channel therein;   a steering section disposed adjacent to the distal end of the tube, adapted for pointing the distal end of the tube in a desired direction; and   a propulsion section disposed adjacent the distal end of the tube for pulling the tube through a body cavity, the propulsion section including a plurality of gripping members each having a surface adapted for selectively attaching to tissue in an inner portion of the body cavity, the plurality of gripping members being disposed on an outer surface of the tube and slidably movable relative to the tube.   
     
     
         27 . The catheter according to  claim 26 , wherein the surfaces of the plurality of gripping members include a plurality of suction holes. 
     
     
         28 . The catheter according to  claim 27 , wherein the plurality of suction holes are interspersed between a plurality of protrusions extending from an outer surface of the plurality of gripping members. 
     
     
         29 . The catheter according to  claim 26 , wherein the surfaces of the plurality of gripping members are recessed with respect to adjacent portions of the outer surface of the tube. 
     
     
         30 . The catheter according to  claim 26 , wherein the surfaces of the plurality of gripping members extend radially outwardly of the outer surface of the tube. 
     
     
         31 . The catheter according to  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of gripping members are spaced circumferentially around the tube. 
     
     
         32 . The catheter according to  claim 26 , wherein the steering section includes a flexible structure and control wires attached to the distal end of the tube, the control wires being each independently extendable and retractable. 
     
     
         33 . A catheter comprising:
 a flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the tube defines a working channel therein;   a steering section disposed adjacent the distal end of the tube, adapted for pointing the distal end of the tube in a desired direction; and   a plurality of gripping members disposed on an outer surface of the tube adapted to selectively grip an inner portion of a body cavity, the plurality of gripping members being each independently movable relative to the tube so as to propel the tube within the body cavity.   
     
     
         34 . The catheter according to  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of gripping members move in a direction substantially parallel to a length of the tube. 
     
     
         35 . The catheter according to  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of gripping members are spaced circumferentially around the tube. 
     
     
         36 . The catheter according to  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of gripping members are balloons adapted to selectively grip the inner portion of the body cavity when inflated. 
     
     
         37 . The catheter according to  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of gripping members are pads having suction ports adapted for gripping the inner portion of the body cavity by applying suction to the inner portion of the body cavity. 
     
     
         38 . The catheter according to  claim 34 , wherein the steering section includes a flexible structure and control wires attached to the distal end of the tube, the control wires being each independently extendable and retractable. 
     
     
         39 . The catheter according to  claim 38 , wherein the flexible structure is one of a flexible mesh or a bellows. 
     
     
         40 . A catheter comprising:
 a flexible tube having a length extending from a distal end to a proximal end;   a working channel defined within the tube, adapted for guiding a medical tool along through the tube;   a propulsion section of the tube disposed adjacent the distal end, adapted for pulling the tube through a body cavity; and   a steering section of the tube disposed adjacent the distal end, wherein the steering section has a perimeter surface and includes a steering mechanism disposed around the perimeter surface for pointing the distal end in a desired direction.   
     
     
         41 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein the steering mechanism includes an expandable structure and a plurality of wires circumferentially disposed along a length of the expandable structure, the plurality of wires being adapted to be individually extended and retracted to point the distal end in a desired direction. 
     
     
         42 . The catheter of  claim 41 , wherein the expandable structure is one of a flexible mesh and a bellows. 
     
     
         43 . The catheter of  claim 41 , wherein the plurality of wires are attached to the expandable structure by sutures. 
     
     
         44 . The catheter of  claim 41 , wherein the propulsion section includes a plurality of gripping members each having a surface adapted for selectively attaching to tissue in an inner portion of the body cavity, the plurality of gripping members being disposed on an outer surface of the tube. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the plurality of gripping members are independently movable relative to the tube.