Protective Sheath for an Endoscope

Abstract

A protective sheath for an endoscope includes an elongated shaft with a longitudinal bore extending from a proximal opening at the shaft proximal end to a distal opening at the shaft distal end. The longitudinal bore is sized for receiving an endoscope tube inserted axially into the bore. The shaft distal end includes a hood having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining a hood interior space. The hood proximal portion has a width that is greater than a maximum width of the shaft at the bore distal opening. The hood proximal portion defines an opening to the hood interior space, which opening is laterally offset from the shaft distal end and is configured to receive a portion of a surgical instrument within the hood interior space.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective sheath for an endoscope, the sheath comprising:
 an elongated shaft disposed along a shaft axis and including a distal end and a proximal end and having a longitudinal bore extending from a bore proximal opening at the shaft proximal end to a bore distal opening at the shaft distal end;   wherein the longitudinal bore is sized for receiving an endoscope tube inserted axially therein; and   a hood disposed at the shaft distal end, wherein the hood comprises a hood proximal portion and a hood distal portion and defines a hood interior space; and   wherein the hood proximal portion has an opening to the hood interior space, which opening is laterally offset from the shaft distal end and is configured to receive a portion of a surgical instrument within the hood interior space.   
     
     
         2 . The sheath of  claim 1  wherein the hood includes a sidewall disposed generally perpendicular to a hood cover. 
     
     
         3 . The sheath of  claim 2  wherein the hood cover includes a sloped surface that extends longitudinally toward and terminates at a forward-projecting edge. 
     
     
         4 . The sheath of  claim 3  wherein the forward-projecting edge is disposed generally perpendicular to the shaft axis and extends for a distance that is greater than a maximum width of the bore distal opening at the shaft distal end. 
     
     
         5 . The sheath of  claim 1  wherein one or more surfaces of the hood are adapted for retracting soft tissue during a surgical procedure. 
     
     
         6 . The sheath of  claim 3  wherein the forward-projecting edge is adapted for cutting muscle, fat or other soft tissue. 
     
     
         7 . The sheath of  claim 1  further comprising a clip disposed at the shaft proximal end, wherein the clip is configured for attachment to an endoscopic camera. 
     
     
         8 . The sheath of  claim 2  wherein the opening to the hood interior space comprises a slot that extends from the hood cover to a sidewall rim opposite the hood cover. 
     
     
         9 . A protective sheath for an endoscope, the sheath comprising:
 an elongated shaft disposed along a shaft axis and including a distal end and a proximal end and having a longitudinal bore extending from a bore proximal opening at the shaft proximal end to a bore distal opening at the shaft distal end;   wherein the longitudinal bore is sized for receiving an endoscope tube inserted axially into the bore from the shaft proximal end; and   a hood disposed at the shaft distal end, wherein the hood comprises:
 a hood cover and a pair of opposing sidewalls that define a hood interior space; 
 a hood distal portion comprising a generally flat surface terminating in a forward-projecting cutting edge adapted for cutting muscle, fat or other soft tissue; and 
 a hood proximal portion having a width that is greater than a maximum width of the shaft at the bore distal opening; 
 wherein the hood proximal portion defines an opening to the hood interior space, and the hood proximal opening is laterally offset from the shaft distal end and is configured to receive a portion of a surgical instrument within the hood interior space. 
   
     
     
         10 . The sheath of  claim 9  wherein the hood further comprises a generally planar flange including a rib that projects outwardly beyond an outermost portion of one of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         11 . The sheath of  claim 10  wherein the forward-projecting cutting edge is disposed generally parallel to the planar flange and generally perpendicular to the shaft axis, and the forward-projecting cutting edge has a extends for a distance greater than a maximum width of the bore distal opening at the shaft distal end. 
     
     
         12 . The sheath of  claim 9  further comprising a clip disposed at the shaft proximal end, wherein the clip is configured for attachment to an endoscopic camera. 
     
     
         13 . The sheath of  claim 9  wherein at least one of the sidewalls comprises a light-reflective surface. 
     
     
         14 . The sheath of  claim 9  wherein the hood includes one or more surfaces adapted for retracting soft tissue during a surgical procedure. 
     
     
         15 . The sheath of  claim 9  wherein the opening to the hood interior space comprises a slot that extends from the hood cover to a rim of one of the sidewalls wherein the rim is opposite the hood cover. 
     
     
         16 . A protective sheath for an endoscope comprising:
 an elongated shaft disposed along a shaft axis and including a distal end and a proximal end and having a bore extending longitudinally from a bore proximal opening at the shaft proximal end to a bore distal opening at the shaft distal end;   wherein the longitudinal bore is sized for receiving an endoscope tube inserted axially therein;   wherein the shaft distal end includes a shovel-shaped hood having an interior space and comprising:
 a hood cover and a sidewall extending from the cover to a rim that includes a generally planar flange disposed opposite the hood cover, wherein the flange comprises a rib disposed generally parallel to the shaft axis and projecting outwardly beyond an outermost portion of the sidewall; 
 a hood distal portion comprising a generally flat surface disposed generally parallel to the shaft axis and having a forward-projecting distal edge disposed generally perpendicular to the shaft axis; and 
 a hood proximal portion having a width that is greater than a maximum width of the shaft at the bore distal opening; 
 wherein the hood proximal portion defines an opening to the hood interior space, which opening is laterally offset from the shaft distal end and is configured to receive a portion of a surgical instrument within the hood interior space. 
   
     
     
         17 . The sheath of  claim 16  wherein the hood proximal opening comprises a slot. 
     
     
         18 . The sheath of  claim 17  wherein the slot extends from the hood cover to the sidewall rim. 
     
     
         19 . The sheath of  claim 16  wherein the hood forward-projecting distal edge extends for a distance that is greater than the maximum width of the bore distal opening at the shaft distal end.