Sheath with channel for endoscope
A sheath assembly ( 100 ) for an invasive probe. The sheath assembly ( 100 ) includes an internal sheath ( 102 ) for covering a probe and at least one channel tube ( 112 ) external to the internal sheath ( 102 ), the channel tube ( 112 ) being foldable into a closed state in which the tube does not define a channel, or openable into an open state in which the tube defines a channel that extends along a portion of the sheath assembly ( 100 ).
1 . A sheath assembly for an invasive probe, comprising:
an internal sheath for covering a probe; and
at least one channel tube external to the internal sheath, the channel tube being foldable into a closed state in which the tube does not define a channel, or openable into an open state in which the tube defines a channel that extends along at least a portion of the sheath assembly.
2 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the channel tube when in a closed state does not unfold from the closed state absent an external force.
3 . A sheath assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the channel tube is folded in an unorganized manner in the closed state.
4 . A sheath assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the channel tube is folded in an organized manner in the closed state.
5 . A sheath assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the channel tube is pleated in the closed state.
6 . A sheath assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the channel tube is folded over the internal sheath, in the closed state.
7 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the channel tube is self-collapsible, such that it does not remain in the open state, without a force not due to the channel tube that holds it in the open state.
8 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the channel tube does not self-collapse out of the open state, unless an external force is applied to the channel tube.
9 . A sheath assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the channel tube is deformed in a manner which prevents self-collapsing out of the open state.
10 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the channel tube is heat-set in the closed state so as to remain in the closed state until being moved to the open state.
11 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the channel tube is held in the closed state by an adhesive so as to remain in the closed state until being moved to the open state.
12 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the channel tube surrounds the internal sheath.
13 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the tube does not surround the internal sheath.
14 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the channel tube is directly attached to the internal sheath.
15 . A sheath assembly according to claim 14 , wherein over most of the length of the sheath assembly the external sheath is not attached to the internal sheath.
16 . A sheath assembly according to claim 14 , wherein over most of the length of the sheath assembly the external sheath is attached to the internal sheath along at least one longitudinal line.
17 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the channel tube and the internal sheath are connected, separately, to a proximal connector.
18 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the channel tube is formed with an internal notch adapted to receive a dovetail of a working tube.
19 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the channel tube does not have an aperture at its distal end.
20 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the channel tube has an aperture leading out of the sheath assembly, along its length.
21 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the channel tube is formed with a foldable lobe of a limited axial extent relative to the channel tube, mounted on the channel tube and open to the channel defined by the channel tube.
22 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , comprising an electrode mounted on an external surface of the channel tube.
23 . A sheath assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel tube extends over at least 50% of the internal sheath.
24 . An invasive tool, comprising:
an elongate probe; and
at least one flexible channel tube, for coupling to the elongate probe, the channel tube being foldable into a closed state in which the tube does not define a channel, or openable into an open state in which the tube defines a channel that extends along at least a portion of the sheath assembly,
wherein the channel tube is held in the closed state, absent a force that moves the channel tube to the open state.
25 . An invasive tool according to claim 24 , wherein the channel tube is heat set in the closed state.
26 . An invasive tool according to claim 24 , wherein the channel tube is fixed in the closed state by an adhesive.
27 . An invasive tool according to claim 24 , comprising an internal sheath slid over the elongate probe and wherein the at least one channel tube is attached to an external surface of the internal sheath.
28 . An invasive tool according to claim 24 , comprising an electrode mounted on an external surface of the channel tube.
29 . An invasive tool according to claim 24 , wherein the channel tube is non-elastic.
30 . A channel add-on for an invasive probe, comprising:
at least one channel tube, for coupling to an invasive probe, which is foldable into a closed state in which the tube does not define a channel, or openable into an open state in which the tube defines a channel; and
means for opening the tube into the open state while the tube is within the patient.
31 . A channel according to claim 30 , wherein the means for opening the tube comprise means for dissolving an adhesive.
32 . A channel according to claim 30 , wherein the means for opening the tube comprise means for injecting a fluid into the tube.
33 . A method of providing an endoscopic channel, comprising:
inserting into a patient, a probe with a sheath assembly including a channel tube being foldable into a closed state in which the tube does not define a channel, or openable into an open state in which the tube defines a channel that extends along at least a portion of the sheath assembly; and
opening the tube into the open state while the tube is within the patient.
34 . A method according to claim 33 , wherein opening the tube into the open state comprises inserting a working tube or a tool into the tube.
35 . A method according to claim 33 , wherein opening the tube into the open state comprises dissolving an adhesive holding the tube folded.
36 . A method according to claim 33 , wherein opening the tube into the open state comprises injecting a fluid into the tube.
37 . A method according to claim 33 , wherein inserting the probe comprises inserting while the channel tube is held in the closed state.
38 . A method according to claim 33 , wherein inserting the probe comprises inserting while the channel tube is not held in any specific state.
39 . A method according to claim 33 , wherein the channel tube surrounds the probe.
40 . A method according to claim 33 , wherein inserting the probe comprises inserting a probe surrounded by an internal sheath.
41 . A method according to claim 33 , wherein the channel tube dopes not remain in the open state, unless an external force keeps it in the open state.
42 . A method according to claim 33 , wherein the channel tube does not self-collapse out of the open state, unless an external force is applied to the channel tube.
43 . A sheath assembly for a probe, comprising:
an internal sheath configured to isolate a probe from body fluids; and
an external sheath surrounding the internal sheath, the internal and external sheaths being directly connected to each other.
44 . A sheath assembly according to claim 43 , wherein the internal and external sheaths are connected to each other over at least one axial line extending over a segment of the length of the sheaths.
45 . A sheath assembly according to claim 44 , wherein the internal and external sheaths are connected over at least two longitudinal lines, so as to define a plurality of separate channels between the sheaths.
46 . A sheath assembly according to claim 43 , wherein the internal and external sheaths are connected non-symmetrically radially.
47 . A sheath assembly according to claim 43 , wherein the internal and external sheaths are connected radially symmetrically.
48 . A sheath assembly according to claim 43 , wherein the internal and external sheaths are connected substantially only at a plurality of circumferential points at a distal end of the external sheath.
49 . A sheath assembly according to claim 43 , wherein the internal and external sheaths coextend at their distal ends, such that their distal ends extend to a same point.
50 . A sheath assembly according to claim 43 , wherein the internal sheath extends beyond the distal end of the external sheath.
51 . A sheath assembly for a probe, comprising:
an intermediate sheath configured to define a first channel between the probe and the intermediate sheath; and
an external sheath adapted to define a second channel between the intermediate sheath and the external sheath.
52 . A sheath assembly according to claim 51 , comprising a proximal port connected to the first channel.
53 . A sheath assembly according to claim 51 , comprising an internal sheath configured to isolate the probe from body fluids.
54 . A sheath assembly according to claim 51 , wherein at least one of the intermediate sheath and the external sheath is stretchable so as to define the respective channel.
55 . A sheath assembly according to claim 51 , wherein at least one of the intermediate sheath and the external sheath includes loose material that can be unfolded to define the respective channel.
56 . A sheath assembly for a probe, comprising:
an internal sheath for covering an elongate probe;
a channel tube with a variable transverse extent, external to the internal sheath; and
a nozzle connected to the distal end of the channel tube.
57 . A sheath assembly according to claim 56 , wherein the channel tube comprises a foldable channel.
58 . A sheath assembly according to claim 56 , wherein the channel comprises a stretchable channel.
59 . A sheath assembly according to claim 56 , wherein the nozzle is directed in a direction substantially different from the main axis of the distal end of the channel.
60 . A sheath assembly according to claim 56 , comprising a window at the distal end of the internal sheath and wherein the nozzle is directed in a direction suitable for flushing the window.
61 . A sheath assembly for a probe, comprising:
an internal sheath for covering an elongate probe; and
a channel tube with a variable transverse extent, external to the internal sheath, the channel tube not having an aperture at its distal end.
62 . A sheath assembly according to claim 61 , comprising one or more holes along an axial length of the channel tube.
63 . A sheath assembly, comprising:
an endoscopic tube defining a channel with a variable transverse extent, including a longitudinal notch formed in the tube; and
a working tube comprising a protrusion adapted to fit into the notch.
64 . A sheath assembly according to claim 63 , wherein the protrusion has a dovetail shape.
65 . A sheath assembly according to claim 63 , wherein the tube comprises a foldable tube.
66 . A sheath assembly according to claim 63 , wherein the tube comprises an inflatable tube.
67 . A method of inserting a working tube into a channel, comprising:
providing a guide wire within the channel; and
inserting the working tube into the channel along the guide wire, while the channel is within a patient.
68 . A method according to claim 67 , wherein providing the guide wire comprises providing the guide wire in the channel before the channel is inserted into the patient.
69 . A method according to claim 67 , wherein providing the guide wire comprises providing the guide wire in the channel after the channel is inserted into the patient.
70 . A method according to claim 67 , wherein providing the guide wire comprises providing the guide wire such that both ends of the guide wire extend out of a proximal end of the channel.
71 . A method according to claim 67 , wherein providing the guide wire comprises providing a guide wire that is anchored to a distal end of the channel.
72 . A method according to claim 67 , wherein providing the guide wire comprises providing a guide wire that is threaded through a distal end of the channel.