NATURAL ORIFICE TRANSLUMINAL ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY OVERTUBE AND METHOD OF INTRODUCING MULTIPLE ENDOSCOPES

摘要

An endoscopic overtube and method for achieving safe and effective endoscope passage and maintenance of pneumoperitoneum, thereby facilitating natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) in a body cavity is provided. The endoscopic overtube is designed to facilitate simultaneous use of at least two endoscopes and includes an sheath that has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a passageway extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. A cuff is coupled to the distal portion of the sheath and is inflatable. When the cuff is inflated, a distally facing surface of the cuff contacts an inner lumenal wall, and a proximally facing surface of the cuff contacts an outer peritoneal wall. An inflation lumen is connected to the cuff to deliver inflation fluid to inflate and/or deflate the cuff. A closure device is also provided with the endoscopic overtube for closing an incision in a tissue wall.