Abstract: An endoscope insertion assembly for performing endoscopy, including an endoscope insertion tube operative for passage through a body cavity, and an optical assembly operative for inspection of the body cavity, the optical assembly being selectably insertable within the endoscope insertion tube.

Abstract: An enhanced flexibility auxiliary endoscope assembly for use with an endoscope, the assembly including at least one flexible elongate element and a flexible sleeve having a first lumen for accommodating a distal portion of an endoscope capable of assuming at least a first curvature and a second lumen for accommodating the at least one flexible elongate element, the second lumen being configured to allow the at least one flexible elongate element to assume the at least first curvature as well as at least a second curvature about the first curvature, thereby to enhance flexibility of the auxiliary endoscope assembly.

Abstract: A catheter including a tube having at least one lumen, at least one elongate element, the at least one elongate element having a bendable portion at a predetermined bendable portion location therealong forward of a distal end of the tube and at least one selectably inflatable balloon communicating with at least one of the at least one lumen, the at least one selectably inflatable balloon having a forward end and a rearward end, the rearward end of the balloon being located rearwardly of the predetermined bendable portion location.

Abstract: Apparatus for fluid supply to the interior of a portion of a tubular body portion including a locomotive endoscope head extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first selectably radially extendible sealing element and a second selectably radially extendible sealing element, wherein at least one of the first and second selectably radially extendible sealing elements is axially displaceable with respect to the other, a fluid passageway operative for supplying fluid intermediate the first and second selectably radially extendible sealing elements and a locomotive endoscope head controller controlling the operation of the locomotive endoscope head and being operative for controlling selectable extension of the first and second selectably radially extendible sealing elements, axial displacement of the at least one of the first and second selectably radially extendible sealing elements, and fluid introduction through the fluid passageway.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly including an endoscope, a selectably inflatable balloon mounted onto a distal portion of the endoscope and an external tube extending alongside the endoscope and traversing the selectably inflatable balloon.

Abstract: An enhanced flexibility auxiliary endoscope assembly for use with an endoscope, the assembly including at least one flexible elongate element and a flexible sleeve having a first lumen for accommodating a distal portion of an endoscope capable of assuming at least a first curvature and a second lumen for accommodating the at least one flexible elongate element, the second lumen being configured to allow the at least one flexible elongate element to assume the at least first curvature as well as at least a second curvature about the first curvature, thereby to enhance flexibility of the auxiliary endoscope assembly.

Abstract: A locomotive endoscope assembly including a locomotive endoscope head, including a main portion extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first selectably inflatable balloon associated therewith and a selectably positionable portion, selectably axially positionable along the main portion and having a second selectably inflatable balloon associated therewith and a locomotive endoscope head controller controlling the operation of the locomotive endoscope head and being operative for controlling positioning of the selectably positionable portion relative to the main portion and selectable inflation of the first and second selectably inflatable balloons.

Abstract: A locomotive endoscope assembly including a locomotive endoscope head, including a main portion extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first selectably inflatable balloon associated therewith and a selectably positionable portion, selectably axially positionable along the main portion and having a second selectably inflatable balloon associated therewith and a locomotive endoscope head controller controlling the operation of the locomotive endoscope head and being operative for controlling positioning of the selectably positionable portion relative to the main portion and selectable inflation of the first and second selectably inflatable balloons.

Abstract: A locomotive endoscope assembly including a locomotive endoscope head, including a main portion extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first selectably inflatable balloon associated therewith and a selectably positionable portion, selectably axially positionable along the main portion and having a second selectably inflatable balloon associated therewith and a locomotive endoscope head controller controlling the operation of the locomotive endoscope head and being operative for controlling positioning of the selectably positionable portion relative to the main portion and selectable inflation of the first and second selectably inflatable balloons.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for attaching and forming enclosed inflatable members on an endoscope assembly (10) with a disposable sheath (103) are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a flexible and resilient cuff member (100) that is positioned on the outer surface of the disposable sheath and sealably and fixedly bonded to the sheath cover material (130) at the cuff edges to form an annular space (136) capable of being inflated. The inflatable member (100) formed thereby is inflated through a lumen (122) internal to the sheath that has an opening (134) into the interior annular space. The inflatable member may be inflated to exert a longitudinal force on the insertion tube (101), thereby moving the endoscope assembly along a body passage. Alternately, a sheath may include a plurality of inflatable cuffs that may be inflated to create an isolated space therebetween within the body passage.

Abstract: A locomotive endoscope assembly including a locomotive endoscope head (102) including a main portion extending along a longitudinal axis and having a first selectively inflatable balloon (500) associated therewith and a selectably positionable portion, selectably axially positionable along the main portion and having a second selectably inflatable balloon (502) associated therewith and a locomotive endoscope head controller (100) controlling the operation of the locomotive endoscope head (102) and being operative for controlling positioning of the selectably positionable portion relative to the main portion and selectable inflation of the first and second selectably inflatable balloons (500, 502).