Systems, Methods and Devices for Performing Water Aided Endoscopy

Abstract

Systems, methods and devices for performing water aided endoscopy (WAE) are provided herein. The systems include a plurality of devices designed to create a sealed environment within the body cavity, including a multi-functional plug, valves, balloons and pumps. The systems also provide specialized tools configured for operation within a liquid environment which are designed to interface with the multi-functional seal for insertion into the body cavity while maintaining the seal, including an adjustable constant shape snare. Additional features of the systems and methods include specialized fluids for increasing visibility with the body cavity, dyes and other solutions for image-enhancement and diagnostics, and software for increasing the clarity of the image in real-time.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A method of performing water aided endoscopy (WAE) with an endoscopic plug, comprising the steps of:
 inserting a distal end of a plug shaft of the endoscopic plug into a rectum of a patient, wherein the distal end of the plug shaft includes an expandable portion disposed on an outer surface of the plug shaft, and wherein a proximal end of the plug shaft includes a base pad disposed on the outer surface of the plug shaft;   fitting the base pad into an opening between the rectum and an external environment to secure the endoscopic plug in the opening;   inflating the expandable portion at the distal end of the plug shaft to create an internal seal between the inflated expandable portion and an internal surface of the rectum;   inputting a quantity of liquid into the rectum through an opening in the plug shaft;   inserting at least one endoscopic tool through a sealed opening in the plug shaft.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the expandable portion is a balloon. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising inputting the quantity of liquid into the rectum at a location distal to the expandable portion. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising releasing a quantity of the liquid from the body cavity through a pressure valve in an output water opening in the plug. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising monitoring a pressure of the liquid within the body cavity. 
     
     
         12 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a distal portion of the base pad is tapered from a proximal end of the plug shaft toward a distal end of the plug shaft to fit an anatomy of the patient. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the balloon is disposed around an outer circumference of the plug shaft. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the balloon expands away from the outer circumference of the plug shaft in a substantially circular shape. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the balloon is inflated via a separate inflation tube disposed within the circumference of the plug shaft. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising inflating the expandable portion with air. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising inflating the expandable portion with liquid. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the expandable portion is positioned at a fixed distance from the opening of the rectum. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising inputting the quantity of liquid into the rectum through a separate liquid tube disposed within the circumference of the plug shaft. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising inserting the plug shaft into the rectum via an introducer disposed substantially within the plug shaft with a handle portion disposed proximal to the base pad. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising contracting the expandable portion upon completion of an endoscopic procedure.