Abstract: Provided are devices and methods to provide access to the colon and small bowel of a patient. The devices comprise a tubular member that is releasably attachable to a colonoscope for insertion into the colon. The devices are useful for treating and monitoring colorectal diseases, and diseases of the small bowel.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a fecal impaction from a patient's rectum is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a shaft which is inserted into the patient's rectum. Coupled to the shaft is a plurality of flexible spines. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for bowing at least one of the spines away from the shaft in order to cut through the fecal mass and define a volume that includes at least a portion of the fecal impaction to be removed. In one aspect, the mechanism for bowing at least one of the spines away from the shaft is a fixed collar which defines a plurality of flexible spine orifices. Each of the flexible spines passes a predetermined length through one of the spine orifices. In another aspect, the mechanism for bowing the spines is a collar slideably mounted to the shaft. In this aspect, each one of the plurality of flexible spines is coupled to the slideable collar.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved nasogastric tube having a coupled or integrally formed flexible tip which facilitates insertion and advancement of the tube through a nasopharynx and into a stomach of a patient while reducing the risk of trauma to the nasal cavity and perforation of the esophagus and other soft tissue. Geometry and material of the tip and tube body are selected so that the tip preferentially buckles before the tube body upon meeting body structure during advancement of the tube. Buckling of the tip passively steers the tip and tube body through the nasal cavity along the esophageal lumen, unlike conventional nasogastric tubes which tend to displace or perforate proximate body structure. Tip geometries include those which are cylindrical, frustoconical, tapered, bulbous, pleated and necked. Tips may be hollow or solid, symmetrical or asymmetrical, and may include a reinforcement member to modify the column strength thereof.

Abstract: A medical device, and related method of use, for supporting a patient's colon during a colonoscopy includes a wrap which embraces the patient's abdomen and defines a palpation aperture. The wrap is able to be seemed snugly around the patient's abdomen with a closing mechanism. The wrap includes at least one inflatable bladder which may be inflated to apply to a force to the patient's abdomen, thereby compressing the colon. The palpation aperture exposes a section of the patient's abdomen which allows that section of the patient's abdomen to be palpated during insertion of the colonoscope to verify proper insertion of the scope tip.