US5236423A — Facilitating endoscopy

Claim 1

Independent Claim 109 words

A method for inserting an instrument into the large intestine of a mammal, comprising emplacing at least a portion of a flexible liner to form within the intestine an inner tube within an outer tube, said 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 during emplacing, preventing said instrument from entering said lumen more than an insubstantial amount, and thereafter passing said instrument into the intestine throuqh said lumen via its said distal end and causing a portion of said instrument to pass beyond a proximal end of said lumen.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 109 words

A method for inserting an instrument into the large intestine of a mammal, comprising emplacing at least a portion of a flexible liner to form within the intestine an inner tube within an outer tube, said 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 during emplacing, preventing said instrument from entering said lumen more than an insubstantial amount, and thereafter passing said instrument into the intestine throuqh said lumen via its said distal end and causing a portion of said instrument to pass beyond a proximal end of said lumen.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said flexible liner is emplaced by eversion.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 2 wherein said eversion is achieved by folding one end of said liner back upon itself to form said inner and outer tubes connected along an annular fold, and introducing said fold into the anal opening.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 1 further comprising pressurizing a space enclosed between said inner and outer tubes.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 4 in which said space is pressurized at pressures no greater than 10 pounds per square inch.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 5 in which said space is pressurized at pressures less than 3 pounds per square inch.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 1 in which said inner and outer tubes are collapsed against each other prior to said instrument being passed into said lumen.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 7 wherein said tubes are collapsed by reducing pressure in the space enclosed between said tubes.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 1 further comprising passing a proximal tip of said instrument through said lumen and beyond a proximal end of said emplaced flexible liner.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 54 words

The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to the emplacing step, said inner tube is at least partially gathered on a storage device, and during emplacing the withdrawal of portions of said liner from said storage device is aided by applying mechanical force to said inner liner to free it from said storage device.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 10 wherein said mechanically applied force is applied only intermittently.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 9 wherein a space between said inner tube and said outer tube is subjected to varying pressure in coordination with said intermittently applied mechanical force.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 12 wherein said pressure is decreased when said mechanical force is being applied.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 10 wherein said storage device comprises an internal passage and an external wall supporting said liner, and said force is mechanically applied by means of a tool passed via said storage device passage.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 10 wherein said storage device comprises an internal passage and an external wall supporting said liner, and said force is mechanically applied by inflating a balloon against a wall of said liner.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 137 words

Apparatus for inserting an instrument into the large intestine of a mammal, comprising an elongate evertible liner, a liner support chamber having a proximal port and a distal port, opposite ends of said liner being attached respectively to said ports, at least a portion of said liner being gathered in the space between said ports, said liner defining a lumen between said ports, a rigid guide tube lying within said lumen and between said ports to provide an unobstructed passage for said instrument within at least a portion of said lumen, a portion of said liner being gathered along and supported by an outside wall of said guide tube, and a mechanism located in the vicinity of one end of the guide tube for contacting the liner and aiding withdrawal of the liner from the guide tube.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 137 words

Apparatus for inserting an instrument into the large intestine of a mammal, comprising an elongate evertible liner, a liner support chamber having a proximal port and a distal port, opposite ends of said liner being attached respectively to said ports, at least a portion of said liner being gathered in the space between said ports, said liner defining a lumen between said ports, a rigid guide tube lying within said lumen and between said ports to provide an unobstructed passage for said instrument within at least a portion of said lumen, a portion of said liner being gathered along and supported by an outside wall of said guide tube, and a mechanism located in the vicinity of one end of the guide tube for contacting the liner and aiding withdrawal of the liner from the guide tube.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 61 words

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said mechanism comprises a roller whose outer surface contacts the liner and a support for the roller, the support having a structure for permitting the roller to turn when the liner is being withdrawn from the guide tube, while resisting the turning of the roller when the liner is being moved in the opposite direction.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 141 words

Apparatus for inserting an instrument into the large intestine of a mammal, comprising an elongate evertible liner, a liner support chamber having a proximal port and a distal port, said liner having its two ends attached respectively at said ports, a pressurizer for increasing a pressure within said chamber to cause said liner to be everted, said 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 2 and a wall thickness to diameter ratio and a 100% strain modulus of elasticity whose product is greater than 0.5 lb/inch 2 , and a walled passage connected to said distal port for bridging a distance from said distal port to the anal sphincter of the mammal, said walled passage having walls made of a pliable material.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 141 words

Apparatus for inserting an instrument into the large intestine of a mammal, comprising an elongate evertible liner, a liner support chamber having a proximal port and a distal port, said liner having its two ends attached respectively at said ports, a pressurizer for increasing a pressure within said chamber to cause said liner to be everted, said 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 2 and a wall thickness to diameter ratio and a 100% strain modulus of elasticity whose product is greater than 0.5 lb/inch 2 , and a walled passage connected to said distal port for bridging a distance from said distal port to the anal sphincter of the mammal, said walled passage having walls made of a pliable material.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 91 words

A method for inserting an instrument into the large intestine of a mammal, comprising emplacing at least a portion of a flexible liner to form within the intestine an inner tube within an outer tube, said 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, said emplacing proceeding without passing said instrument substantially into said intestine, and only thereafter passing said instrument substantially into the intestine through said lumen via its said distal end.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 91 words

A method for inserting an instrument into the large intestine of a mammal, comprising emplacing at least a portion of a flexible liner to form within the intestine an inner tube within an outer tube, said 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, said emplacing proceeding without passing said instrument substantially into said intestine, and only thereafter passing said instrument substantially into the intestine through said lumen via its said distal end.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 181 words

Apparatus for emplacing a flexible liner into a body cavity, comprising a housing for storing the liner in a chamber thereof, said housing comprising a port through which said liner passes during emplacement, a guide member disposed within said housing, said guide member having an exterior surface adapted to have the liner at least partially gathered thereon, said guide member being adapted to receive fluid and apply said fluid between said exterior surface and said liner to aid in removal of said liner from said guide member during emplacement, said housing being adapted to receive fluid in said chamber to cause said liner to be withdrawn from said member and advanced out of said port into the body cavity by everting said liner, said guide member comprising a hollow tube for receiving said fluid, an aperture being disposed in a wall of said tube for coupling said fluid from the hollow tube to said exterior surface, said tube tapering from a first diameter at a first end thereof to a reduced diameter at a second end thereof adjacent to said port.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 181 words

Apparatus for emplacing a flexible liner into a body cavity, comprising a housing for storing the liner in a chamber thereof, said housing comprising a port through which said liner passes during emplacement, a guide member disposed within said housing, said guide member having an exterior surface adapted to have the liner at least partially gathered thereon, said guide member being adapted to receive fluid and apply said fluid between said exterior surface and said liner to aid in removal of said liner from said guide member during emplacement, said housing being adapted to receive fluid in said chamber to cause said liner to be withdrawn from said member and advanced out of said port into the body cavity by everting said liner, said guide member comprising a hollow tube for receiving said fluid, an aperture being disposed in a wall of said tube for coupling said fluid from the hollow tube to said exterior surface, said tube tapering from a first diameter at a first end thereof to a reduced diameter at a second end thereof adjacent to said port.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said tube is removable from said housing at an end opposite to said port.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 191 words

Apparatus for inserting a liner into a body cavity, comprising a housing for storing said liner, an inserter to which said housing is mounted and adapted to be disposed adjacent to the body cavity during insertion of said liner, said inserter being adapted to attach to and end of the liner and having an inlet for receiving fluid, said housing including a member that is adapted to have the liner gathered thereon, said member comprising a hollow tube having an end that includes an inlet for receiving fluid from said inserter inlet, said hollow tube including a slot in a wall thereof that provides a path for said fluid to flow from the inlet of said hollow tube out of said hollow tube to urge said liner off of said tube during said insertion and cause said liner to be withdrawn from said housing and advanced by eversion into said body cavity, said housing being removable from said inserter, whereby after said liner is inserted into the body cavity and said housing is removed an instrument can be inserted directly through said inserter and into the body cavity through said liner.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 191 words

Apparatus for inserting a liner into a body cavity, comprising a housing for storing said liner, an inserter to which said housing is mounted and adapted to be disposed adjacent to the body cavity during insertion of said liner, said inserter being adapted to attach to and end of the liner and having an inlet for receiving fluid, said housing including a member that is adapted to have the liner gathered thereon, said member comprising a hollow tube having an end that includes an inlet for receiving fluid from said inserter inlet, said hollow tube including a slot in a wall thereof that provides a path for said fluid to flow from the inlet of said hollow tube out of said hollow tube to urge said liner off of said tube during said insertion and cause said liner to be withdrawn from said housing and advanced by eversion into said body cavity, said housing being removable from said inserter, whereby after said liner is inserted into the body cavity and said housing is removed an instrument can be inserted directly through said inserter and into the body cavity through said liner.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 232 words

Apparatus for inserting a liner into a body cavity, comprising a housing for storing said liner, an inserter to which said housing is mounted and adapted to be disposed adjacent to the body cavity during insertion of said liner, said inserter being adapted to attach to an end of the liner, an inlet in said inserter for receiving fluid to cause said liner to be withdrawn from said housing and advanced by eversion into said body cavity, said housing being removable from said inserter, whereby after said liner is inserted into the body cavity and said housing is removed an instrument can be inserted directly through said inserter and into the body cavity through said liner, a fitting adapted to be secured to said inserter in place of said housing and to receive said instrument, said fitting being substantially fluid-tight so that as said instrument is inserted fluid that is disposed within said liner is inhibited from escaping through said inserter, said fitting comprising a port for receiving said instrument, and a tube disposed within said inserter when said fitting is in place on said inserter, said tube having a first, open end secured to said fitting in communication with said port, and a second end adapted to fit snugly around said instrument when said instrument is inserted therethrough via said port to inhibit said fluid from escaping through said second end.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 232 words

Apparatus for inserting a liner into a body cavity, comprising a housing for storing said liner, an inserter to which said housing is mounted and adapted to be disposed adjacent to the body cavity during insertion of said liner, said inserter being adapted to attach to an end of the liner, an inlet in said inserter for receiving fluid to cause said liner to be withdrawn from said housing and advanced by eversion into said body cavity, said housing being removable from said inserter, whereby after said liner is inserted into the body cavity and said housing is removed an instrument can be inserted directly through said inserter and into the body cavity through said liner, a fitting adapted to be secured to said inserter in place of said housing and to receive said instrument, said fitting being substantially fluid-tight so that as said instrument is inserted fluid that is disposed within said liner is inhibited from escaping through said inserter, said fitting comprising a port for receiving said instrument, and a tube disposed within said inserter when said fitting is in place on said inserter, said tube having a first, open end secured to said fitting in communication with said port, and a second end adapted to fit snugly around said instrument when said instrument is inserted therethrough via said port to inhibit said fluid from escaping through said second end.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said tube includes a band of elastic material disposed around said second end.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 125 words

Apparatus for inserting an instrument into the large intestine of a mammal, comprising an elongate evertible liner, a liner support chamber having a proximal port and a distal port, opposite ends of said liner being attached respectively to said ports, at least a portion of said liner being gathered in the space between said ports, said liner defining a lumen between said ports, a rigid guide tube lying within said lumen and between said ports to provide an unobstructed passage for said instrument within at least a portion of said lumen, and a walled passage connected to said distal port for bridging a distance from said distal port to the anal sphincter of a human, said walled passage having walls made of a pliable material.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 125 words

Apparatus for inserting an instrument into the large intestine of a mammal, comprising an elongate evertible liner, a liner support chamber having a proximal port and a distal port, opposite ends of said liner being attached respectively to said ports, at least a portion of said liner being gathered in the space between said ports, said liner defining a lumen between said ports, a rigid guide tube lying within said lumen and between said ports to provide an unobstructed passage for said instrument within at least a portion of said lumen, and a walled passage connected to said distal port for bridging a distance from said distal port to the anal sphincter of a human, said walled passage having walls made of a pliable material.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 129 words

Apparatus for inserting an instrument into the intestine of a mammal, comprising an elongate evertible liner, a liner support chamber, said chamber having a distal port and a proximal port, a tube extending distally from said distal port, said liner having its opposite ends attached respectively to said ports, the end of said liner attached to said distal port being everted over and gathered along said tube, a pressurizer for increasing the pressure within said liner during eversion to aid the gathered portion of said liner to slide along and be released from said tube, and a walled passage connected to said distal port for bridging a distance from said distal port to the anal sphincter of a human, said walled passage having walls made of a pliable material.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 129 words

Apparatus for inserting an instrument into the intestine of a mammal, comprising an elongate evertible liner, a liner support chamber, said chamber having a distal port and a proximal port, a tube extending distally from said distal port, said liner having its opposite ends attached respectively to said ports, the end of said liner attached to said distal port being everted over and gathered along said tube, a pressurizer for increasing the pressure within said liner during eversion to aid the gathered portion of said liner to slide along and be released from said tube, and a walled passage connected to said distal port for bridging a distance from said distal port to the anal sphincter of a human, said walled passage having walls made of a pliable material.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-08-16	1997-02-15	1997-08-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-08-16	2001-02-15	2001-08-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-08-16	2005-02-15	2005-08-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Facilitating endoscopy

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