Systems And Method For Preventing Air Escape And Maintaining Air Distension

Abstract

A device for preventing air escape and maintaining colonic air distension can include a body, a distal gasket coupled to a distal end of the body, a proximal gasket coupled to a proximal end of the body, and a diaphragm coupled to the proximal gasket. The distal and proximal gaskets can form a fluid-tight seal with a colonoscope positioned within central bores of the distal gasket, the body, and the proximal gasket, and the diaphragm can conform to and form a fluid-tight seal with at least one of an anus and a stoma of a subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for maintaining colonic air distension, comprising:
 a body having a longitudinal axis, an inner surface, an outer surface, a proximal end, and an opposed distal end spaced from the proximal end along the longitudinal axis, wherein the body defines a central bore surrounding the longitudinal axis, wherein the central bore has a diameter;   at least one gasket coupled to the body, wherein each gasket of the at least one gasket defines a central bore, wherein the central bore of each gasket of the at least one gasket has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the central bore of the body; and   a sealing element coupled to the proximal end of the body and extending radially outwardly beyond the outer surface of the body,   wherein, with the entire device outside a body of a subject:
 the device is configured to be advanced over a distal portion of a colonoscope such that portions of the colonoscope pass through the central bores of each gasket of the at least one gasket and the body of the device, 
 the at least one gasket is configured to form a fluid-tight seal with an outer surface of the colonoscope, 
 the device is configured for selective advancement over the colonoscope in a proximal direction toward the subject such that the sealing element of the device is positioned to form a fluid-tight seal with an anus or a stoma of the subject, and wherein the device is configured for movement in a distal direction to break the fluid-tight seal between the sealing element and the anus or stoma of the subject to allow air release from the subject. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one gasket comprises a distal gasket coupled to the distal end of the body of the device. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a proximal gasket coupled to the proximal end of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising at least one internal gasket coupled to the inner surface of the body of the device between the distal and proximal gaskets, wherein the at least one internal gasket is configured to restrict air flow within the device. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the proximal gasket and the sealing element comprise a unitary structure. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the device is substantially tubular. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the device has a longitudinal length ranging from about 4 cm to about 15 cm. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the body of the device is scored or grooved. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element has an outer diameter that decreases moving in the proximal direction. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the sealing element has an outer surface with a convex curvature. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of an underside of the sealing element is inwardly tapered in the distal direction. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the sealing element has a longitudinal length of at least 5 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the sealing element has a maximum outer diameter ranging from about 2 cm to about 6 cm. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the central bore of the body of the device has a diameter ranging from about 12 mm to about 18 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the central bore of each gasket of the at least one gasket has a diameter ranging from about 8 mm to about 14 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one gasket comprises a pliable material. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one spine extending along the longitudinal axis of the body of the device and configured to provide structural support to the body of the device. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element comprises a diaphragm. 
     
     
         19 . A colonoscopy system comprising:
 the device according to  claim 1 ; and   a colonoscope.   
     
     
         20 . The colonoscopy system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one gasket comprises:
 a distal gasket coupled to the distal end of the body of the device; and   a proximal gasket coupled to the proximal end of the body of the device.