Multi-lumen endoscopic method, accessory, and system

Abstract

The embodiments of the present invention relate to an endoscopic system and accessories. In particular, the various embodiments relate to endoscopic systems in which an accessory comprises a multi-lumen device that is capable of quantitatively delivering at least a catheter, a balloon, and a needle to a site. The accessory is configured to allow for individual, independent control of its components. For example, in some embodiments, the needle and guidewire can be independently controlled. In addition, the needle may be retracted back into an inner lumen of the catheter body. Accordingly, during use, the accessory of the embodiments allows the user to maintain access to an incision site without having to exchange or remove accessories for various parts of the procedure

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 endoscopically introducing a multi-lumen catheter comprising an integral inflatable balloon and housing a hollow needle within a lumen;   puncturing an organ wall, with the hollow needle, to create access to a desired site within the organ;   advancing a guidewire within a lumen of the hollow needle to the desired site;   retracting the hollow needle from the desired site;   advancing the balloon into the desired site along the guidewire;   inflating the balloon; and   removing the multi-lumen catheter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein puncturing the organ wall comprises puncturing a stomach wall via an abdominal cavity of a patient. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein puncturing the organ wall to create access to the desired site within the organ comprises puncturing the organ wall to create access to a cyst within the organ. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein advancing the guidewire comprises attaching the guidewire to the cyst. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising advancing a stent along the guidewire after removing the multi-lumen catheter. 
     
     
         6 . An endoscopic accessory comprising:
 a multi-lumen catheter having a proximal and distal end;   an inflatable balloon affixed to the distal end of the catheter in fluid communication with a first lumen; and   a hollow needle housed within the multi-lumen catheter for independent movement relative to the inflatable balloon;   wherein the hollow needle is configured to be extended and retracted in conjunction with a guidewire at a desired site within a patient.   
     
     
         7 . The accessory of  claim 6 , wherein the inflatable balloon is configured to wrap around the catheter in its deflated state. 
     
     
         8 . The accessory of  claim 6 , wherein the hollow needle ranges from about a 19 gauge to a 23 gauge. 
     
     
         9 . The accessory of  claim 6 , wherein the hollow needle is configured to extend about 8 cm from the distal end. 
     
     
         10 . The accessory of  claim 6 , wherein the guidewire comprises a diameter of approximately 0.035 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The accessory of  claim 6 , wherein the inflatable balloon is radio-opaque. 
     
     
         12 . The accessory of  claim 6 , wherein the inflatable balloon is molded.