Patent ID: 11918190
Assignee: NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 4:
5. A method of accessing an orifice, comprising the steps of:
providing a sleeve comprising a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular member formed of an expandable material having a length, an internal surface, and an exterior surface; and opposing inflatable pouches formed of an expandable material laterally positioned lengthwise on the exterior surface of the tubular member, such that each inflatable pouch extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the tubular member; wherein the sleeve has a cross-sectional area comprising a cross-section of the tubular member and a cross-section of each of the opposing inflatable pouches, and wherein the opposing inflatable pouches are configured to expand the cross-sectional area of the sleeve in only lateral directions;
providing a speculum having blades sized to fit within the sleeve;
fitting the blades into the sleeve;
inserting the blades and the sleeve into an orifice;
expanding the blades and the sleeve within the orifice; and
inflating the inflatable pouches.