Abstract: A device and its method of operation for assisting in the advancement of an endoscope through the colon or other body passage. The device includes a sleeve having an annular chamber defined in part by an outer wall of elastomeric material. A multiplicity of resilient hollow protrusions are formed in the wall and expand outwardly and rearwardly when the chamber is filled with a suitable fluid under pressure and which retract inwardly and forwardly when the pressure of the fluid is reduced. The device extends about and is secured to the distal end portion of an endoscope and, upon repetitious expansion and retraction of the protrusions by reason of pulsing pressure fluctuations within the chamber, such device helps to advance the scope along a body passage.

Abstract: A needle endoscope includes a hollow needle of about 18-gauge, a lens system within the needle, an image transmitting bundle of flexible fiber-optic rods within the needle, a plurality of illumination transmitting fiber-optic rods within the needle, an operative channel within the needle, and apparatus to shift the image transmitting bundle with respect to the lens system and needle to provide focus adjustment for focusing the endoscope on objects at various distances from the end of the needle. The channel is adapted to receive an electrode having an end which, when extended beyond the needle, can be microscopically viewed and supervised through the needle during application of radiofrequency pulses to the spinal cord's nerve tracts or nerve cells, for example. Both medical and industrial uses are contemplated.