Balloon access device for endoscope

Abstract

Provided is a balloon access device having a cap coupleable to an endoscope and a balloon for sealing with the cap when expanded. The balloon access device allows a physician to both separate collapsed tissue and visualize the path of the endoscope without administering insufflation gas to the collapsed area of a patient.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for performing a gastrointestinal endoscopic imaging procedure within a non-insufflated gastrointestinal lumen of a subject, comprising:
 providing a gastrointestinal endoscope, wherein the gastrointestinal endoscope comprises a distal end having distal face;   providing an elastomeric seal cap having a proximal end and a distal end defining a distal opening;   positioning the proximal end of the elastomeric seal cap about the distal end of the endoscope such that the distal end of the elastomeric seal cap extends distally relative to the distal endoscope face;   providing an inflatable balloon, wherein the inflatable balloon comprises an outer surface and includes a proximal side and distal side;   inflating, at least partially, the inflatable balloon;   seating the at least partially inflated balloon within the seal cap such that the seal cap circumferentially contacts the outer surface of the balloon while at least a portion of the proximal side of the at least partially inflated inflatable balloon contacts the distal face of the endoscope such that imaging using the endoscope occurs through at least a portion of the balloon; and   moving the gastrointestinal endoscope within the non-insufflated gastrointestinal lumen while the at least partially inflated balloon is in contact with the elastomeric seal cap and distal endoscope face to image portions of the gastrointestinal lumen wall along a length of the gastrointestinal lumen and though at least a portion of the inflated balloon.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the gastrointestinal endoscopic imaging procedure is a colonoscopy procedure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the gastrointestinal endoscopic imaging procedure is a small bowel enteroscopy procedure. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the non-insufflated gastrointestinal lumen is part of the upper gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the non-insufflated gastrointestinal lumen is part of the lower gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the elastomeric seal cap further comprises;
 a wall defining a circular lumen,   a proximal portion, the proximal portion comprising a cylindrical endoscope receptacle having a first, proximal end and a second, distal end,   an outwardly flaring distal portion extending distally away from the second end of the endoscope receptacle, and   wherein the method further comprises retracting the endoscope within the non-insufflated bowel, wherein retracting the endoscope causes the outwardly flaring distal portion of the seal cap to flatten luminal folds of the surrounding tissue.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the wall at the second end of the endoscope receptacle is wider than the seal cap wall of the outwardly flaring distal portion. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the outwardly flaring distal portion meets the second end of the endoscope receptacle at an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the proximal side of the inflatable balloon comprises a proximally extending collar. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the gastrointestinal endoscope further comprises an instrument channel and a catheter extending through the instrument channel, and wherein the proximally extending collar is coupled to a distal end of the catheter and configured to expand within the instrument channel to seal with the instrument channel and to lock the balloon to the end of the endoscope. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the inflatable balloon is inflated using a fluid. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the inflatable balloon is inflated using air or gas. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the inflatable balloon is transparent and hollow. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the distal side of the inflatable balloon comprises a distal dome. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the distal dome comprises a tip.