Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
A device for facilitating intubation of a distal end of a shaft of an endoscope within the upper gastrointestinal tract, comprising: a hood for shielding and carrying the distal end of the endoscope, the hood having a pocket for receiving the distal end of the endoscope, the pocket being defined by a plurality of deformable leaves, the pocket having inner dimensions generally corresponding to the outer dimensions of the distal end of the endoscope; and, an elongated hood control means joined to the hood for external manipulation of the hood, the length of the control means being coextensive with at least the length of the shaft so that a proximal end of the control means may protrude out of a patient's mouth; such that an endoscopist may insert the hood on the shaft by seating the distal end within the pocket, upon intubating the shaft and achieving selected positioning of the shaft within the esophagus the endoscopist draws on the proximal end of the control means while maintaining the shaft in a stationary position to cause movement of the hood along the shaft in an orad direction, such orad directional movement of the hood causes the leaves to deform and retract thereby opening the pocket and exposing the distal end, continued drawing on the control means in the orad direction causes a complete withdrawal of the hood from the distal end of the shaft.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
234 words
A device for facilitating intubation of a distal end of a shaft of an endoscope within the upper gastrointestinal tract, comprising: a hood for shielding and carrying the distal end of the endoscope, the hood having a pocket for receiving the distal end of the endoscope, the pocket being defined by a plurality of deformable leaves, the pocket having inner dimensions generally corresponding to the outer dimensions of the distal end of the endoscope; and, an elongated hood control means joined to the hood for external manipulation of the hood, the length of the control means being coextensive with at least the length of the shaft so that a proximal end of the control means may protrude out of a patient's mouth; such that an endoscopist may insert the hood on the shaft by seating the distal end within the pocket, upon intubating the shaft and achieving selected positioning of the shaft within the esophagus the endoscopist draws on the proximal end of the control means while maintaining the shaft in a stationary position to cause movement of the hood along the shaft in an orad direction, such orad directional movement of the hood causes the leaves to deform and retract thereby opening the pocket and exposing the distal end, continued drawing on the control means in the orad direction causes a complete withdrawal of the hood from the distal end of the shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein at least the hood is made from shape retentive, deformable and biologically inert material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said material may be selected from the group consisting of silicon, red rubber and latex rubber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 wherein a distal end of the hood includes a guide tip for deflecting and parting esophageal tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the guide tip includes an elongated generally tapered end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the guide tip includes a parabolic shaped end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said hood control means includes a conduit generally conforming to the circumference of the shaft of the endoscope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said conduit is made from a biologically inert non-extendable material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the proximal end of the hood control means includes a gripping means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 9 wherein the gripping means includes an annular member.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of atraumatic intubation of a distal end of an endoscope in the upper gastrointestinal tract comprising the steps of: shielding the distal end in deformable hood means; intubating the shielded distal end within the esophagus until such point that the distal end of the endosco traverses the cricopharyngeal sphincter; withdrawing the deformable hood means from the distal end of the endoscope; and, removing the deformable hood means from the patient.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of atraumatic intubation of a distal end of an endoscope in the upper gastrointestinal tract comprising the steps of: shielding the distal end in deformable hood means; intubating the shielded distal end within the esophagus until such point that the distal end of the endosco traverses the cricopharyngeal sphincter; withdrawing the deformable hood means from the distal end of the endoscope; and, removing the deformable hood means from the patient.