Medical systems, devices, and related methods

Abstract

A medical system includes an insertion device including a delivery shaft with an internal lumen, a coupling tube coupled to the delivery shaft and configured to receive a medical device, and a liner tube inserted through the internal lumen of the delivery shaft.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 inserting a delivery shaft of an insertion device and a coupling tube to a treatment site, the coupling tube being coupled to an exterior of the delivery shaft of the insertion device, and the coupling tube being in a collapsed configuration during insertion;   inserting a liner tube through a lumen in the delivery shaft via a port in a handle of the insertion device;   inserting a medical device through the coupling tube, wherein inserting the medical device through the coupling tube transitions the coupling tube from the collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration with a lumen that at least partially surrounds the medical device;   delivering energy through the medical device to break up a kidney stone or a hardened mass;   delivering fluid through the lumen of the coupling tube;   applying suction through the liner tube; and   breaking up a clog or blockage that forms within the lumen of the delivery shaft or within the liner tube.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of breaking up the clog or blockage that forms within the lumen of the delivery shaft or within the liner tube includes at least one of:
 extending the liner tube distally via a plunger coupled to a handle of the insertion device; or   extending a shaft of a stylet through the liner tube.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising coupling the coupling tube is to the delivery shaft via a fitting. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein a coupling tube plunger is coupled to a proximal end of the coupling tube and wherein the fitting includes a fitting housing with a spring biasing the coupling tube plunger. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein an adapter configured to form a one-way seal around the medical device is coupled to a proximal end of the coupling tube plunger. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling tube includes a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the coupling tube is configured to transition to the expanded configuration upon receiving the medical device, and wherein the coupling tube is configured to transition to the expanded configuration during delivery of a fluid and to transition to the collapsed configuration during delivery of suction. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fitting housing includes a slot, and wherein the coupling tube plunger includes a pin configured to move within the slot. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the coupling tube includes a distal flap, and further including a loop surrounding a distal portion of the delivery shaft and the distal flap. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the coupling tube includes a skived portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion of the coupling tube is coupled to a tube insert, and wherein the tube insert is positioned within a distal opening of the delivery shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the coupling tube comprises a tube insert positioned within the distal portion of the coupling tube, wherein the tube insert is more rigid than the coupling tube. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion device includes a port, the method comprising inserting the liner tube through and coupled to the port via a connector that forms a seal around the port. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 coupling a coupling tube to a delivery shaft of an insertion device;   inserting the delivery shaft of the insertion device to a treatment site   inserting a medical device through the coupling tube, wherein inserting the medical device through the coupling tube transitions the coupling tube from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration;   delivering energy through the medical device to break up a hardened mass; and   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising breaking up a clog or blockage that forms within a lumen of the delivery shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising inserting a liner tube through the lumen in the delivery shaft via a port in a handle of the insertion device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising extending the liner tube distally via a plunger coupled to the handle of the insertion device to break up the clog or blockage. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising extending a shaft of a stylet through the liner tube to or within the liner tube. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising coupling the coupling tube is to the delivery shaft via a fitting. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a coupling tube plunger is coupled to a proximal end of the coupling tube and wherein the fitting includes a fitting housing with a spring biasing the coupling tube plunger. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein an adapter configured to form a one-way seal around the medical device is coupled to a proximal end of the coupling tube plunger. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the coupling tube includes a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the coupling tube is configured to transition to the expanded configuration upon receiving the medical device, and wherein the coupling tube is configured to transition to the expanded configuration during delivery of a fluid and to transition to the collapsed configuration during delivery of suction. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the coupling tube comprises a tube insert positioned within the distal portion of the coupling tube, wherein the tube insert is more rigid than the coupling tube.