Patent ID: 9586040
Date: 2017-03-07
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61N

Claim:
1. A flexible device insertion tool, comprising: a linear rigid-body shank having a handle end and an opposite insertion end, a suction channel extending between the handle and insertion ends, suction ports located between the handle and insertion ends and in fluidic communication with the suction channel, and a connector port at the handle end in fluidic communication with the suction ports via the suction channel; and a vacuum connector having a first port adapted to connect to a vacuum source, a second port in fluidic communication with the first port, and means for mounting the handle end of the rigid-body shank on the vacuum connector so that the connector port of the rigid-body shank is aligned with the second port, and the first port is in fluidic communication with the suction ports, whereby, upon connecting a vacuum source to the first port, mounting the rigid-body shank on the vacuum connector, and activating the vacuum source, an elongated flexible device positioned adjacent the suction ports is releasably attached alongside and parallel to the rigid-body shank by a suction force exerted by the suction ports during insertion, wherein the rigid-body shank includes support ribs distributed along the suction channel so that the suction ports are formed therebetween.