Balloon access device for endoscope

1. A balloon access device for use with an endoscope, wherein the endoscope comprises an instrument channel and a visualization channel, the device including:

a catheter having a distal end;

a balloon expandable from a deflated shape to an inflated shape, the balloon having a proximal end and a distal end having a dome portion, wherein the proximal end of the balloon includes a collar coupled to a distal end of the catheter;

wherein the collar projects proximally and is configured to expand within the instrument channel to seal with the instrument channel and to lock the balloon to the end of the endoscope; and

wherein at least a portion of the proximal end of the balloon is configured for positioning over the visualization channel when the collar is sealed with the instrument channel and when at least a portion the catheter is positioned within the instrument channel such that imaging using the endoscope visualization channel includes the transmission of light through the proximal and distal ends of the balloon; and

a cap having a proximal end configured to be coupled to a distal end of the endoscope and a distal end having an elastomeric portion defining a distal opening, wherein the distal end of the balloon is movable through the distal opening of the cap in a proximal direction and a distal direction and wherein a sealing surface of the balloon circumferentially engages the distal end of the cap while the collar is locked within the instrument channel.

2. The balloon access device according to claim 1 , wherein the inflated shape includes a non-pressurized shape and a fully inflated shape.

3. The balloon access device according to claim 1 , wherein the cap includes an endoscope receptacle extending into the cap through the proximal end of the cap for receiving the distal end of the endoscope.

4. The balloon access device according to claim 1 , wherein the cap includes a stop that engages a front face of the endoscope when the endoscope is received within the cap, and wherein an opening is provided through the stop, adjacent to the distal opening of the cap, to distally expose at least one of a light, opening or optics on the front face of the endoscope.

5. The balloon access device according to claim 1 , wherein the cap includes a balloon sealing portion proximate a distal end of the cap, the balloon sealing portion including a circular groove that retains and seals with a circular rib of the balloon.

6. The balloon access device according to claim 1 , wherein the cap includes an outwardly flaring balloon sealing portion that is flexible outwardly relative to a body of the cap to create a seal with the balloon.

7. The balloon access device according to claim 6 , wherein the outwardly flaring balloon sealing portion prevents the balloon from being unseated from the cap.

8. The balloon access device according to claim 1 , wherein the cap includes a rib on an interior portion of the cap, and wherein the sealing surface of the balloon contacts with a receptacle of a balloon sealing portion and with the rib.

9. The balloon access device according to claim 1 , wherein the dome portion is hemispherical or ellipsoidal in shape.

10. The balloon access device according to claim 1 , wherein the balloon includes a distally located guide tip on a distal portion of the dome portion for guiding an operator in parting and spreading non-insufflated gastrointestinal tissue during operation.

11. The balloon access device according to claim 1 , wherein the balloon is a transparent hollow balloon.

12. The balloon access device according to claim 1 , further including a lock mechanism for securing the catheter relative to the endoscope to maintain a sealing contact between the balloon and the cap.

13. The balloon access device according to claim 1 , further including a balloon insertion tube for receiving the balloon when the balloon is in the deflated state, the balloon insertion tube having a length greater than a y-portion of an operative channel within the endoscope to guide the balloon into and beyond the y-portion.

14. The balloon access device according to claim 1 in combination with an endoscope, wherein the proximal end of the cap is coupled to the distal end of the endoscope.

15. The balloon access device according to claim 1 , wherein the cap is integral with the endoscope.

16. A balloon access device for use with an endoscope, wherein the endoscope comprises an instrument channel and a visualization channel, the device including:

a catheter having a distal end, the catheter being configured to be inserted into the instrument channel of the endoscope;

a balloon expandable from a deflated shape to an inflated shape, the balloon having a proximal end and a distal end having a dome portion, wherein the proximal end of the balloon includes a collar coupled to a distal end of the catheter, wherein the collar projects proximally and is configured to expand within the instrument channel to seal with the instrument passage and to lock the balloon to the end of the endoscope;

wherein at least a portion of the proximal end of the balloon is configured for positioning over the visualization channel when the collar is sealed with the instrument channel such that imaging using the endoscope visualization channel includes the transmission of light through the proximal and distal ends of the balloon;

a cap having a proximal end configured to be coupled to a distal end of an endoscope and a distal end having an elastomeric portion defining an opening, wherein the distal end of the balloon is movable through the opening in a proximal direction and a distal direction and wherein a sealing surface of the balloon circumferentially engages the distal end of the cap while the collar is locked within the instrument channel; and

a balloon insertion tube for receiving the balloon when the balloon is in the deflated state, the balloon insertion tube having a length greater than a y-portion of an operative channel within the endoscope to guide the balloon into and beyond the y-portion.