Endoscope having a guide tube

Abstract

An endoscope having a guide tube is described herein. The assembly has an endoscope which is slidably insertable within the lumen of a guide tube. The guide tube is configured to be rigidizable along its entire length from a relaxed configuration. The endoscope has a steerable distal portion to facilitate the steering of the device through tortuous paths. In the relaxed configuration, a portion of the guide tube is able to assume the shape or curve defined by the controllable distal portion of the endoscope. Having assumed the shape or curve of the endoscope, the guide tube may be rigidized by the physician or surgeon to maintain that shape or curve while the endoscope is advanced distally through the tortuous path without having to place any undue pressure against the tissue walls.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for advancing an endoscope through a tortuous path, comprising: 
 an endoscope shaft having a steerable distal end and a length proximal of the steerable distal end;    an elongate guide tube having a length defining a lumen therethrough, the lumen being adapted to slidingly receive the endoscope shaft; and    at least one actuation member connected to the guide tube for rigidizing at least a portion of the guide tube length,    wherein at least a section of the guide tube is further adapted to conform to a shape defined by the steerable distal end and to maintain the shape when a force is imparted to the actuation member.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the endoscope shaft comprises a conventional endoscope shaft.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the endoscope shaft comprises an elongate body having a plurality of interconnected segments, the elongate body defining at least one lumen therethrough.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the guide tube comprises a plurality of segments which are connected adjacently, wherein at least a majority of the segments are movable relative to one another.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of additional actuation members connected to the guide tube.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein each of the actuation members are located circumferentially relative to one another about the guide tube.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a tubular covering disposed over at least a majority of an outer surface of the guide tube.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a covering disposed over a distal end of the guide tube lumen.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the covering is adapted to extend distally from the distal end of guide tube.  
     
     
         10 . A method of advancing an endoscope through a tortuous path, comprising: 
 manipulating a controllable distal end of the endoscope to assume an arbitrary shape to traverse the tortuous path;    conforming a portion of a guide tube disposed about the controllable distal end to assume the arbitrary shape of the endoscope;    rigidizing the portion of the guide tube such that the arbitrary shape is maintained by the guide tube; and    advancing the endoscope through the rigidized guide tube.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising advancing an endoscope shaft along the tortuous path until a curve in the path is encountered prior to conforming the portion of the guide tube.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein advancing the endoscope comprises advancing the endoscope until a second curve in the path is encountered.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising relaxing the guide tube.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising advancing the guide tube over the endoscope while the guide tube is in a relaxed state.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the guide tube is advanced over the endoscope until a distal end of the guide tube is located adjacent with, just proximally, or just distally of the distal end of the endoscope.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein manipulating the controllable distal end of the endoscope comprises manually controlling the distal end to assume the arbitrary shape.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein advancing the guide tube comprises extending an a traumatic covering over a distal end of the guide tube.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10  wherein rigidizing the portion of the guide tube comprises tensioning at least one actuation member connected to the guide tube.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10  wherein rigidizing the portion of the guide tube comprises tensioning at least three actuation members connected to the guide tube.