One aspect is a method for inserting an instrument into the gastrointestinal tract of a mammal, by emplacing at least a portion of a flexible liner to form within the intestine an inner tube within an outer tube, the inner tube defining a lumen lying within the intestine and having a distal end accessible via the anal opening from outside the body of the mammal, and thereafter passing the instrument into the lumen via its distal end. Another aspect is the combination of an elongate evertible liner, a liner support chamber having a proximal port and a distal port, the liner having its two ends attached respectively at the ports, and a pressurizer for increasing the pressure within the chamber to cause the liner to be everted, the liner comprising a material characterized by having a wall thickness to diameter ratio and a zero strain elasticity modulus whose product is less than 4.0 lb/inch.sup.2, preferably less than 1.0 lb/inch.sup.2, and a wall thickness to diameter ratio and a 100% strain modulus of elasticity whose product is greater than 0.5 lb/inch.sup.2, preferably greater than 2.0 lb/inch.sup.2. In another aspect, a layer of lubricous material, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), is directly bonded to a surface of a layer of elastomeric material (such as polyurethane) without the use of adhesive materials between the layers. The resultant PVP-coated sheet is formed into the flexible liner. Yet another aspect is several devices for emplacing the liner in the intestine.
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/536,205, filed Jun. 11, 1990, now abandoned, which is a continuation is part of Ser. No. 07/284,067, filed Dec. 13, 1988, now abandoned.
A roll-back tube system, preferably for an endoscope, for moving an inner shaft which is guided in a roll-back tube of the type that is rolled back at both ends. The tube is driven via a number of friction wheels, suction cups or tracks which act on an inner tube section in order to drive the system in a continuous movement. In order to seal off the gap between the shaft and the inner tube section, front and rear turn-back areas in each case form a bead which bears sealingly on the shaft. The admission of lubricant into the gap between shaft and inner tube section takes place via an essentially radial shaft bore in the area of the roll-back tube, which shaft bore is either connected to an external admission line via the shaft cavity or an inner line, or else via a rear clamping piece by means of a lubricant injection shoe adapted to the shaft surface.
A drive mechanism for moving a shaft or rod along its central axis that utilizes a flexible eversion tube surrounding a portion of and slidingly engaged to the outer surface of the shaft or rod. The drive mechanism uses at least one wheel group having two or more drive wheels that are coplanar with each other and, along the shaft's axis of movement, are aligned with each other and spaced apart. The drive wheels are in compressive contact with a central portion of the flexible eversion tube. The at least one wheel group is supported and located around the central portion by a sleeve that surrounds the central portion of the eversion tube. The sleeve contains slits that permit the individual wheels to contact the central portion of the tube and a casing having two pivotally connected halves that when clamped together, seal the wheel groups and sleeve within its cavity and enable a drive source to drive the wheels.
An apparatus for moving an endoscope along a canal-shaped cavity includes an endoscope having a movable distal end for entry into the cavity and a stationary operating end which remains outside of the cavity. A first portion of the endoscope is contained in a turnout tube which has a turnout area for entry into the cavity, and which also has a fixed end which remains outside of the cavity. A second portion of the endoscope extends from the fixed end of the turnout tube to the operating end of the endoscope. A first drive assembly is operable to move the endoscope and the turnout tube in unison, and a second drive assembly is operable to move the endoscope independently of the turnout tube. A lubricant may be applied through the fixed end of the turnout tube to the portions of the endoscope which are disposed within the turnout tube. Portions of the turnout tube and endoscope are disposed in a bend so as to allow the operating end of the endoscope to remain stationary while at the same time allowing the distal end of the endoscope and the turnout area of the turnout tube to be advanced and/or retracted into and out of the cavity.
A method of delivering a substance to a fallopian tube of a patient which includes obtaining transcervical access to a fallopian tube with an everting catheter. Access to the fallopian tube is obtained by everting an everting element of the everting catheter in the fallopian tube. A substance selected from the group consisting of biological material and cytotoxic agents is then delivered through the everting catheter to the fallopian tube to deposit the substance in the fallopian tube.
An everting tube structure comprises: a flexible collapsible tube having a first open end and a second open end, the flexible collapsible tube having a first portion proximate the first open end and a second portion, the first portion having a first part adjacent the first open end and a second part adjacent the second portion, the second portion having been folded at an angle to the first portion and wound around the second part of the first portion to form a hollow cylinder; and a tube member having an open end, the first open end of the tube being fluid-tightly, circumferentially attached to the open end of the tube member. Thus, the present invention provides an everting tube structure of simple construction, which can be easily produced, which allows easy and/or self-administration, and which has an enhanced self-guiding ability.
