SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NAVIGATING A TOOL WITHIN A BODY CONDUIT
Apparatus and method for navigating surgical tools within a body cavity. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for displacing a surgical tool within a body conduit such as an intestine. Embodiments comprise a balloon catheter having a shaft, and a surgical tool operable to slide along that shaft. In some embodiments the surgical tool comprises a second balloon catheter.
1 . An apparatus for navigating a surgical tool within a body, comprising:
(a) a first catheter having
(i) a distal head which comprises a first expandable element; and
(ii) a proximal shaft, and
(b) a first tool operable to slide along at least a portion of the shaft.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first expandable element is an inflatable balloon.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first tool is slidably connected to the shaft.
4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first tool comprises an attachment mechanism for connecting the first tool to the shaft.
5 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first tool comprises an attachment mechanism for attaching a second tool to the shaft.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the attachment mechanism is slidably connectable to the shaft and rigidly connectable to a second tool.
7 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the attachment mechanism is a sleeve which comprises a binding for rigidly attaching the second tool to the attachment mechanism, and further comprises a lumen through which the catheter shaft may be inserted.
8 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first tool is an endoscope.
9 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the second tool is an endoscope.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first catheter, attachment mechanism, and endoscope are packaged as a kit.
11 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first catheter is insertable in a working channel of the endoscope.
12 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the catheter is insertable through a conduit connectable to the endoscope.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the conduit is less than 20 cm long.
14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the conduit is less than 10 cm long.
15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the conduit is less than 2 cm long.
16 . The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the conduit is comprised within a disposable sheath into which an endoscope may be inserted.
17 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the second tool is a second catheter which comprises a second inflatable balloon.
18 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first tool comprises a second catheter which comprises a second inflatable balloon.
19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the second catheter is slidably connected to the first catheter and external thereto.
20 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the second catheter is connectable to the first catheter by means of an attachment mechanism.
21 - 50 . (canceled)