Transparent Dilator Device and Method of Use (END-900)

Abstract

A medical device for use with an endoscope is provided. The medical device can include a tube with a first channel for receiving the endoscope. A transparent segment can extend from the distal end of the tube, and the transparent segment can have a first outer diameter sized for providing dilation of a portion of a body lumen. The medical device can also include a tapered tip attached to the distal end of the transparent segment that narrows from the first outer diameter to a distal terminating end. The endoscope is used to view the body lumen through the medical device while in use to dilate a stricture under direct visualization.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of dilating a body lumen with a medical instrument comprising the steps of:
 providing a medical device having at least one outer surface portion sized for providing dilation of a body lumen;   inserting said outer surface portion into said lumen;   advancing said outer surface portion in said lumen to dilate said lumen; and   viewing dilation of said lumen through said outer surface portion of said medical device.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said step of viewing comprises positioning a visualization device within the medical device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  comprising positioning an endoscope within a channel disposed in the medical device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of viewing markings associated with outer surface portion to determine the position of the outer surface portion relative to a portion of the lumen. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of viewing markings associated with the outer surface portion to position a desired diameter of the outer surface portion with respect to a portion of the lumen. 
     
     
         23 . A method of dilating a body lumen with a medical instrument comprising the steps of:
 providing a medical device comprising transparent segment, the transparent segment having a plurality of outer diameters sized for providing sequential dilation of a body lumen;   inserting said transparent segment into said lumen; and   advancing said transparent segment into said lumen to dilate said lumen while viewing said lumen through said transparent segment.   
     
     
         24 . A method of dilating a portion of the gastro intestinal tract comprising the steps of:
 providing an endoscope;   providing a dilator having a transparent segment with an internal passageway sized to receive the endoscope;   inserting the endoscope into the dilator;   inserting the dilator into the gastro intestinal tract through a naturally occurring body orifice; and   viewing the portion of the gastro intestinal tract to be dilated through the transparent segment of the dilator while advancing the dilator in the gastro intestinal tract.