In-line gas adaptor for endoscopic apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides an adaptor that is suitable for attachment to an endoscopic device for delivery of a secondary gas. The adaptor generally comprises an adaptor body with first and second fluid transport components and can include a gas inlet on one of the fluid transport components suitable for attachment to a secondary gas source. A scaling member can be included to prevent leakage of any fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) that is transported through channels extending through the fluid transport components. The adaptor may be used in endoscopy methods and is particularly useful for adding a secondary gas source in an endoscopy procedure.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . An adaptor for an endoscopic device, the adaptor comprising an adaptor body having: a first fluid transport component in a non-fluid connection with a second fluid transport component, the first and second fluid transport components each having walls with exterior surfaces and interior surfaces defining respective first and second channels extending therethrough, each fluid transport component having a flared end and a tapered end; and an inlet port extending outward from the exterior surface of the first or second fluid transport component and having a central passage in fluid connection with the channel formed in the component. 
     
     
         32 . The adaptor of  claim 31 , further comprising a sealing member located at the interior surface of one or both of the flared ends of the first and second fluid transport components. 
     
     
         33 . The adaptor of  claim 31 , wherein the inlet port comprises a luer connector. 
     
     
         34 . The adaptor of  claim 31 , wherein the inlet port is substantially perpendicular to the exterior surface of the fluid transport component. 
     
     
         35 . The adaptor of  claim 31 , wherein the adaptor body is a single, monolithic structure. 
     
     
         36 . The adaptor of  claim 31 , wherein the channel in the first fluid transport component is a liquid channel, the channel in the second fluid transport component is a gas channel, and the inlet port extends outward from the second fluid transport component such that the central passage in the inlet port is in fluid connection with the gas channel. 
     
     
         37 . The adaptor of  claim 36 , wherein the internal diameter of the gas channel at the tapered end of the channel is greater than the internal diameter of the liquid channel at the tapered end of the channel. 
     
     
         38 . The adaptor of  claim 36 , wherein the external diameter of the flared end of the first fluid transport component is greater than the external diameter of the flared end of the second fluid transport component. 
     
     
         39 . The adaptor of  claim 31 , wherein the tapered ends of the first and second fluid transport components are shaped to engage receptacles in a water source connector. 
     
     
         40 . The adaptor of  claim 39 , wherein the tapered ends are shaped to facilitate a press-fit, sealed engagement with the water source connector receptacles without secondary engaging means. 
     
     
         41 . The adaptor of claim  1 , wherein the adaptor body comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         42 . The adaptor of  claim 41 , wherein the polymeric material is chemical resistant, heat resistant, or both chemical resistant and heat resistant. 
     
     
         43 . The adaptor of claim  1 , wherein each of the first and second fluid transport components comprises a central body between the tapered end and the flared end. 
     
     
         44 . The adaptor of  claim 43 , wherein the external diameter of the central body is greater than the external diameter of each of the tapered ends of the first and second fluid transport components, and wherein the external diameter of the central body is less than the external diameter of each of the flared ends of the first and second fluid transport components. 
     
     
         45 . The adaptor of  claim 31 , wherein the tapered end of the first or second transport components comprises a metallic material, and wherein the remaining portion of the adaptor body comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         46 . The adaptor of  claim 31 , further comprising a shroud extending radially outwardly from the exterior surfaces of the first and second fluid transport components, the shroud further extending axially with respect to the first and second fluid transport components so as to at least partially surround the tapered end of the first and/or second fluid transport component. 
     
     
         47 . The adapter of  claim 46 , wherein the shroud comprises a wall extending circumferentially about the first and second fluid transport components so as to define an opening for at least partially receiving the tapered end of the first and/or second fluid transport component. 
     
     
         48 . The adaptor of  claim 46 , wherein the shroud extends axially such that the tapered end of the second fluid transport component is completely surrounded by the shroud, and wherein the tapered end of the first fluid transport component is not completely surrounded by the shroud. 
     
     
         49 . A method of performing an endoscopic procedure, the method comprising using an assembly including an endoscopic device, a water source, a gas source, and an adaptor according to  claim 31 . 
     
     
         50 . A method for supplying a secondary gas in an endoscopic procedure, the method comprising: using an endoscope device having attached thereto a water source with a connector; affixing between the water source connector and the endoscope device an adaptor comprising: an adaptor body having: a liquid transport component in a non-fluid connection with a gas transport component, the liquid and gas transport components each having walls with exterior surfaces and interior surfaces forming respective first and second channels extending therethrough, each transport component having a flared end and a tapered end; and a gas inlet port extending outward from the exterior surface of the gas transport component and having a central passage in fluid connection with the channel formed in the component; and supplying a secondary gas to the endoscope device via the gas inlet port on the adaptor.