Cap for Attachment to an Endoscope

Abstract

A cap for attachment to a distal end of an endoscope and a method of positioning the cap on the endoscope are provided. The cap includes a tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough. The proximal portion includes a first portion and a second portion where at least one of the first portion and the second portion includes a connector for operably connecting the first portion and the second portion. The cap has in open configuration wherein at least a portion of the first portion and the second portion are spaced apart and movable relative to each other. The cap also has a closed configuration wherein the first and second portions are connected and the lumen if formed therethrough. The cap in the closed configuration is sized and shaped to be positionable on the distal end of the endoscope.

1 . A cap for attachment to a distal end of an endoscope, the cap comprising:
 a tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen extending therethrough, the proximal portion comprising:
 a first portion and a second portion, at least one of the first portion and the second portion comprising a connector for operably connecting the first portion to the second portion; 
   the cap having an open configuration wherein at least a portion of the first portion and the second portion are spaced apart and movable relative to each other and a closed configuration wherein the first and second portions are connected and the lumen is formed therethrough, the cap in the closed configuration being sized and shaped to be positionable on the distal end of the endoscope.   
     
     
         2 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises a pad portion positionable on an interior wall of the first portion or the second portion to facilitate securing the body to the endoscope. 
     
     
         3 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises a hinge connecting the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         4 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises an elastomeric portion. 
     
     
         5 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode portion is distally extendable so that a distal end of the electrode portion does not extend beyond a distal end of the distal portion of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a snap fit connector. 
     
     
         7 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the tubular body comprises a transparent material or a translucent material. 
     
     
         8 . The cap of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrode portion movably positionable relative to a cover portion. 
     
     
         9 . The cap of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of bands removably positioned on the distal portion of the cap. 
     
     
         10 . A cap for attachment to a distal end of an endoscope, the cap comprising:
 a tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen extending therethrough, the proximal portion comprising:
 a first portion and a second portion, at least one of the first portion and the second portion comprising a connector for operably connecting the first portion to the second portion; 
   a cover portion covering a portion of the tubular body, the covering portion having a region at least partially spaced apart from the tubular body; and   an electrode portion movably positionable relative to the cover portion, the electrode portion having a covered position wherein the electrode portion is positioned within the cover portion; and an exposed position wherein the electrode portion is exposed relative to the cover portion, the electrode portion comprising a plurality of electrodes;   wherein the cap has an open configuration wherein at least a portion of the first portion and the second portion are spaced apart and movable relative to each other and a closed configuration wherein the first and second portions are connected and the lumen is formed therethrough, the cap in the closed configuration being sized and shaped to be positionable on the distal end of the endoscope.   
     
     
         11 . The cap of  claim 10 , wherein the cover portion is fixed in position on the proximal portion of the tubular body and includes a recess formed between the cover portion and the tubular body. 
     
     
         12 . The cap of  claim 10 , wherein the electrode portion is distally extendable so that a distal end of the electrode portion does not extend beyond a distal end of the distal portion of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The cap of  claim 10 , wherein the electrode portion comprises bipolar electrodes. 
     
     
         14 . The cap of  claim 10 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are connected by a hinge. 
     
     
         15 . A method of securing a cap to a distal end of an endoscope, the method comprising:
 positioning a first portion of a proximal portion of a tubular body against the distal end of the endoscope;   moving a second portion of the proximal portion of the tubular body in proximity to the first portion;   joining the first portion and the second portion together with a connector; and   securing the proximal portion of the tubular body to the endoscope so that a distal portion of the tubular body extends distal to the distal end of the endoscope.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising positioning a pad portion on an interior wall of the first portion of the second portion before securing the tubular body to the distal end of the endoscope. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising moving the second portion in proximity to the first portion using a hinge movably connecting the first portion to the second portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising securing the first portion to the second portion with the connector having a snap-fit connection. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing an electrode portion on the cap configured to ablate tissue. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing a plurality of ligating bands on the distal portion of the tubular body.