Devices and methods for extending a working channel

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for extending a working channel of an endoscope, such as for delivery of a stent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An extension device, comprising:
 a tubular inner member including a lumen extending therethrough;   a tubular outer member including a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen of the outer member configured to receive the inner member, the outer member and inner member slidable relative to each other in a telescoping fashion to a desired position that corresponds to an adjustable length of the extension device;   a locking assembly configured to fix the outer member and the inner member with respect to each other at the desired position;   a proximal connector at a proximal end of the outer member configured to connect to a distal end of a first medical device; and   a distal connector at a distal end of the inner member configured to connect to a proximal end of a second medical device.   
     
     
         2 . The extension device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the first medical device further comprises a shaft extending distally therefrom, and the adjustable length of the extension device is such that the shaft is extendable through the lumen of the outer and inner members of the extension device, through a lumen extending from the proximal end to a distal end of the second medical device, and beyond the distal end of the second medical device a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         3 . The extension device of  claim 2 , wherein the extension device is removable from about the shaft of the first medical device without withdrawing the shaft proximally through the lumens of the inner and outer member. 
     
     
         4 . The extension device of  claim 1 , wherein the desired position includes at least one predetermined fixed position of the locking assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The extension device of  claim 1 , wherein the desired position includes a plurality of predetermined fixed positions of the locking assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The extension device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a channel extending along the inner member, the distal connector, and through to the lumen of the inner member;   a channel extending along the outer member, the proximal connector, and through to the lumen of the outer member, and   wherein the channels of the inner and outer member are configured to align with each other, such that the device may be placed and removed from about a shaft of the first medical device.   
     
     
         7 . The extension device of  claim 6 , wherein one or both of the outer member and the inner member are rotatable with respect to each other, such that the device may be transitioned between an open configuration with the channel of the inner member and the channel of the outer member substantially aligned, and a closed configuration with the channel of the inner member and the channel of the outer member not substantially aligned. 
     
     
         8 . The extension device of  claim 1 , further comprising a pivotable joint disposed at a distal portion of the inner member proximal to the distal connector, wherein the joint has a first longitudinal axis alignable with a longitudinal axis of the second medical device and a portion of the inner member distal to the pivotal joint, and wherein the joint has a second longitudinal axis alignable with a longitudinal axis of a remaining portion of the inner member. 
     
     
         9 . The extension device of  claim 8 , wherein the joint comprises:
 a spherical body at the distal portion of the inner member, the spherical body having a lumen therethrough that is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner member; and   a cupped body at the distal portion of the inner member disposed about the spherical body, the cupped body having a lumen therethrough that is in fluid communication with the lumen of the spherical body; and   wherein the spherical body is pivotable within the cupped body while maintaining the lumens of the inner member, spherical body, and cupped body in fluid communication.   
     
     
         10 . An extension system, comprising:
 an endoscope having a working channel;   a delivery device having;   a shaft extending distally from the delivery device and receivable within the working channel; and   an extension device comprising:
 a tubular inner member including a lumen extending therethrough; 
 a tubular outer member including a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen of the outer member configured to receive the inner member, the outer member and inner member slidable relative to each other in a telescoping fashion to a desired position that corresponds to an adjustable length of the extension device; 
 a locking assembly configured to fix the outer member and the inner member with respect to each other at the desired position; 
 a proximal connector at a proximal end of the outer member configured to connect to a distal end of the delivery device; and 
 a distal connector at a distal end of the inner member configured to connect to a proximal end of the endoscope. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the adjustable length of the extension device is such that the shaft is extendable through the lumen of the outer and inner members of the extension device, through the working channel extending from the proximal end to a distal end of the endoscope, and beyond the distal end of the endoscope a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the extension device is removable from about the shaft of the delivery device without withdrawing the shaft proximally through the lumens of the inner and outer member. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the locking assembly has a predetermined fixed position coinciding with a length of the shaft between the proximal end of the endoscope and the distal end of the delivery device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a channel extending along the inner member, the distal connector, and through to the lumen of the inner member; and   a channel extending along the outer member, the proximal connector, and through to the lumen of the outer member,   wherein the channels of the inner and outer member are configured to align with each other, such that the extension device may be removed from about the shaft of the delivery device while the shaft is in the working channel.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein one or both of the outer member and the inner member are rotatable with respect to each other, such that the extension device may be transitioned between an open configuration with the channel of the inner member and the channel of the outer member substantially aligned, and a closed configuration with the channel of the inner member and the channel of the outer member not substantially aligned. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a pivotable joint disposed at a distal portion of the inner member proximal to the distal connector, wherein the joint has a first longitudinal axis alignable with a longitudinal axis of the endoscope and a portion of the inner member distal to the pivotable joint, and wherein the joint has a second longitudinal axis alignable with a longitudinal axis of a remaining portion of the inner member. 
     
     
         17 . A method of extending a length of a working channel, comprising:
 inserting an endoscope having a working channel into a patient;   inserting a catheter into the patient through the working channel;   placing an extension device having a lumen extending therethrough about a shaft of the catheter;   attaching the extension device to a proximal end of the working channel;   attaching the catheter to a proximal end of the extension device;   adjusting the extension device to a desired position that corresponds to an adjustable length of the extension device; and   locking the extension device at the desired position.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein adjusting the extension device to a desired position is such that a distal tip of the catheter extends at most 8 centimeters from a distal end of the endoscope. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising removing the extension device from about the shaft of the catheter while the catheter remains within the working channel of the endoscope. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the placing step comprises placing the extension device about the shaft after inserting the catheter into the patient.