Systems and methods for generating a fluid bearing for an operative procedure

Abstract

Systems and methods discussed herein are related to the formation of a fluid bearing between an interior surface of an aperture and an outside surface of an endoscopic device. The fluid bearing is formed via various fluid paths created in an annular space between an inside surface of a sheath and an outside surface of an endoscope telescoped within the sheath. The fluid bearing reduces the friction between the interior surface of an aperture and the outside surface of an endoscopic device by allowing the interior surface of the aperture to rest on the fluid bearing during insertion of a portion of the distal tip of the endoscopic device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a sheath including an elongated shaft that defines a central axis, a proximal end, and a distal end;   an endoscope configured for telescopic reception at least partially within the sheath to form an endoscope-sheath combination, the endoscope defining a working channel and an optical channel along a length thereof;   a view port defined on a proximal end of the endoscope;   a visualization conduit configured to extend through the optical channel and into the view port;   a fluid path defined by an annular space between an interior surface of the sheath and an exterior surface of the endoscope when the endoscope is telescopically received within the sheath, the fluid path configured to direct a fluid therethrough; and   a fluid port defined on the proximal end of the sheath, at least a first portion of the fluid port in fluid communication with the fluid path, and at least a second portion of the fluid port adapted to fluidly couple to a discharge port of a fluid pump configured to supply the fluid to the fluid path, wherein, upon introduction of the fluid into the fluid path, the fluid establishes a fluid bearing for supporting the endoscope-sheath combination.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid port further comprises perforations extending through a portion of the distal end of the elongated shaft of the sheath. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the perforations are disposed radially around a circumference at the distal end of the elongated shaft and along a predetermined axial length of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the perforations include straight through-holes, angled through-holes, or tapered through-holes. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fluid bearing cooperates with a distal portion of the endoscope extending beyond a distal tip of the sheath and a discharge outlet from the fluid path circumscribing an outside diameter of the endoscope to support the endoscope-sheath combination. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a coupling configured to selectively engage the discharge port of the fluid pump and the fluid port of the sheath and a suction port of the fluid pump and the fluid port. 
     
     
         7 . A system, comprising:
 a sheath including an elongated shaft that defines a proximal end and a distal end;   an endoscope configured to telescope at least partially within the sheath to form an endoscope-sheath combination;   a fluid path defined by an annular space between an interior surface of the sheath and an exterior surface of the endoscope; and   a fluid port defined at the proximal end of the elongate shaft, the fluid port in fluid communication with the fluid path, wherein, upon introduction of a fluid into the fluid path, the fluid establishes a fluid bearing for supporting the endoscope-sheath combination.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid port further includes perforations extending through a portion of the distal end of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the perforations are arranged radially around a circumference of the distal end of the elongate shaft and along a predetermined axial length of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the perforations further include straight through-holes, angled through-holes, or tapered through-holes. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid port includes a distal portion of the endoscope extending beyond a distal tip of the sheath, and a discharge outlet from the fluid path circumscribing an outside diameter of the endoscope. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid port is fluidly coupled to a discharge port of a fluid pump. 
     
     
         13 . A system, comprising:
 a sheath including an elongated shaft that defines a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a lumen;   an endoscope configured to telescope at least partially within the lumen of the sheath;   a fluid path defined by an annular space between an interior surface of the sheath and an exterior surface of the endoscope;   a fluid port defined at the proximal end portion of the elongate shaft, the fluid port in fluid communication with the fluid path; and   a plurality of perforations formed radially around a circumference of the distal end portion of the elongate shaft, the plurality of perforations in fluid communication with the fluid path,   wherein the perforations of the plurality of perforations are configured to form a fluid bearing substantially continuously around the distal end portion of the elongated shaft.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the perforations of the plurality of perforations are arranged along a predetermined length of the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of perforations further includes straight through-holes, angled through-holes, or tapered through-holes. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein a distal portion of the endoscope is extendable beyond a distal tip of the sheath. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , further including a suction port formed at the proximal end portion of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the fluid port is configured to operate as the suction port.