Instrument with sealing device and methods of advancing fluid therethrough
Embodiments of the invention include a medical instrument with a sealing device. In embodiments, the medical instrument is an endoscopic device having a seal between an elongate shaft member and/or on a portion of a handle to, for example, prevent flow communication between a lumen of the elongate member and the external environment.
1. A medical device comprising:
a handle portion;
an end effector assembly;
an elongate member connecting the handle portion to the end effector assembly; and
a sealing device associated with at least one of the handle portion and the elongate member to substantially prevent flow communication between a lumen of the elongate member and an environment external to the device;
wherein a distal-most end of the sealing device which is closest to the end effector assembly has a radially inner surface disposed radially outward of a radially outer surface of the elongate member,
wherein the distal-most end of the sealing device comprises at least one of a silicone, a rubber, and a plastic,
wherein the handle portion includes protrusions contacting the sealing device, and
wherein the handle portion includes a tube in flow communication with the elongate member.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sealing device is configured to substantially prevent fluid flow through a gap between the tube and the elongate member.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the sealing device is disposed around the elongate member and the tube.
4. The device of claim 2 , wherein the sealing device is configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal with the elongate member.
5. The device of claim 2 , wherein the sealing device is configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal with the tube.
6. The device of claim 2 , wherein the sealing device is configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the elongate member and the tube.
7. The device of claim 3 , wherein the sealing device is configured to allow longitudinal movement of the tube relative to the elongate member.
8. The device of claim 3 , wherein a tip of the sealing device is configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal with the tube.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sealing device is disposed between an inner surface of the handle portion and an outer surface of the elongate member.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sealing device is configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the sealing device and a proximal end of the elongate member.
11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sealing device is an elastic sleeve.
12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tube is configured to be in flow communication with the environment external to the device via a proximal end of the tube.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the sealing device is disposed on the tube.
14. The device of claim 12 , wherein the sealing device is a cap at the proximal end of the tube.
15. The device of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the sealing device which extends over the elongate member has a length, and an outer diameter of the sealing device along the length is substantially constant.
16. The device of claim 1 , wherein a proximal end of the sealing device has a first outer diameter and a distal end of the sealing device has a second outer diameter, and
wherein the first outer diameter is smaller than the second outer diameter.
17. The device of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the sealing device which extends over the elongate member consists essentially of at least one of a silicone, a rubber, and a plastic.
18. A medical device comprising:
a handle portion;
an end effector assembly;
an elongate member connecting the handle portion to the end effector assembly; and
a sealing device associated with at least one of the handle portion and the elongate member to substantially prevent flow communication between a lumen of the elongate member and an environment external to the device, the sealing device extending proximally of a proximal-most end of the elongate member which is farthest from the end effector assembly;
wherein the sealing device is compressed between an inner surface of the handle portion and an outer surface of the elongate member,
wherein a portion of the sealing device comprises at least one of a silicone, a rubber, and a plastic, the portion being compressed between the inner surface of the handle portion and the outer surface of the elongate member, and
wherein the handle portion includes a tube in flow communication with the elongate member.
19. A medical device comprising:
a handle portion;
an end effector assembly;
an elongate member connecting the handle portion to the end effector assembly; and
a sealing device associated with at least one of the handle portion and the elongate member to substantially prevent flow communication between a lumen of the elongate member and an environment external to the device;
wherein a distal-most end of the sealing device which is closest to the end effector assembly has a radially inner surface disposed radially outward of a radially outer surface of the elongate member,
wherein the distal-most end of the sealing device comprises at least one of a silicone, a rubber, and a plastic,
wherein the handle portion includes protrusions contacting the sealing device, and
wherein the end effector assembly includes biopsy forceps jaws.
20. A medical device comprising:
a handle portion;
an elongate member extending in a distal direction from the handle portion; and
a sealing device associated with at least one of the handle portion and the elongate member to substantially prevent flow communication between a lumen of the elongate member and an environment external to the device;
wherein a distal-most end of the sealing device which is closest to a distal end of the elongate member has a radially inner surface disposed radially outward of a radially outer surface of the elongate member,
wherein the distal-most end of the sealing device comprises at least one of a silicone, a rubber, and a plastic,
wherein a proximal end of the sealing device has a first outer diameter and a distal end of the sealing device has a second outer diameter,
wherein the first outer diameter is smaller than the second outer diameter, and
wherein the handle portion includes a tube in flow communication with the elongate member.
21. The device of claim 20 , wherein the sealing device is configured to substantially prevent fluid flow through a gap between the tube and the elongate member.
22. The device of claim 21 , wherein the sealing device is disposed around the elongate member and the tube.
23. The device of claim 21 , wherein the sealing device is configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal with the elongate member.
24. The device of claim 21 , wherein the sealing device is configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal with the tube.
25. The device of claim 21 , wherein a tip of the sealing device is configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal with the tube.
26. The device of claim 20 , wherein the sealing device is disposed between an inner surface of the handle portion and an outer surface of the elongate member.
27. The device of claim 11 , wherein the sealing device is compressed between an inner surface of the handle portion and an outer surface of the elongate member.
28. The device of claim 20 , wherein the sealing device is configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the sealing device and a proximal end of the elongate member.
29. The device of claim 20 , wherein the sealing device is an elastic sleeve.
30. The device of claim 20 , wherein the tube is configured to be in flow communication with the environment external to the device via a proximal end of the tube.
31. The device of claim 30 , wherein the sealing device is disposed on the tube.
32. The device of claim 30 , wherein the sealing device is a cap at the proximal end of the tube.
33. The device of claim 11 , wherein the handle portion includes protrusions contacting the sealing device.
34. The device of claim 20 , wherein a portion of the sealing device which extends over the elongate member has a length, and an outer diameter of the sealing device along the length is substantially constant.