Apparatus for delivering a device to a hollow organ

Abstract

An apparatus for delivery of a device into a hollow organ and a method of delivery are provided. The apparatus includes an elongated tube having proximal and distal openings and being configured for carrying the device on a distal portion thereof. The apparatus further includes a tubular cover for covering at least a portion of the device when mounted on the elongated tube, the tubular cover being radially elastic and axially non-elastic. The tubular cover is retrievable into the elongated tube through the distal opening, such that when the device is mounted on the elongated tube and covered by the tubular cover, retrieval of the tubular cover into the elongated tube uncovers the device for delivery into the hollow organ.

1 . An apparatus for delivery of a device into a hollow organ comprising:
 (a) an elongated tube having proximal and distal openings and being configured for carrying the device on a distal portion thereof; and   (b) a tubular cover for covering at least a portion of the device when mounted on said elongated tube, said tubular cover being radially elastic and axially non-elastic;   said tubular cover being retrievable into said elongated tube through said distal opening, such that when the device is mounted on said elongated tube and covered by said tubular cover, retrieval of said tubular cover into said elongated tube uncovers the device for delivery into the hollow organ.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an additional elongated tube positioned within said elongated tube and being attached to said tubular cover structure, wherein said tubular cover is retrievable into said elongated tube by pulling said additional elongated tube against said elongated tube. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated tube includes a hollow nose cone forming said distal opening. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said tubular cover is fabricated from an elastic material having non-elastic axial elements. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said elastic material is an elastic polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a proximal end of each of said elongated tube and said additional elongated tube is attached to a user-operable handle. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device is mounted on a distal portion of said elongated tube. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid conduit for delivering friction-reducing composition to a distal portion of said elongated tube. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said conduit is removably attached to said elongated tube. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein a distal opening of said fluid conduit is positioned such that said friction-reducing composition is delivered between said tubular cover and the device when the device is mounted on said elongated tube. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method of delivering a device into a hollow organ comprising:
 (a) delivering into the hollow organ an elongated tube having proximal and distal openings, said elongated tube having the device mounted thereupon and being at least partially covered by a tubular cover being radially elastic and axially non-elastic;   (b) retrieving said tubular cover into said elongated tube through said distal opening thereby uncovering said device; and   (c) pulling said elongated tube in a proximal direction to thereby deliver the device to the hollow organ.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said tubular cover is attached to an additional elongated tube positioned within said elongated tube and further wherein (b) is effected by pulling said additional elongated tube against said elongated tube. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said tubular cover is fabricated from an elastic material having non-elastic axial elements. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the device is a tubular sleeve having at least one toroidal balloon and further wherein said toroidal balloon is inflated to anchor said tubular sleeve in the hollow organ prior to, or following (c). 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the hollow organ is a colon and said tubular sleeve is at least 200 mm in length. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the hollow organ is a colon and further wherein (a) is effected by delivering said tubular sleeve through said anal orifice. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one toroidal balloon is inflated via an inflation conduit having an inflation port positioned outside the body. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising delivering a friction-reducing composition to a distal portion of said elongated tube prior to (b). 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said delivering is effected via a fluid conduit having a distal opening positioned at said distal portion of said elongated tube. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein a distal opening of said fluid conduit is positioned such that said friction-reducing composition is delivered between said tubular cover and the device. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled)