Patent ID: 8012084
Filing Date: 2011-09-06
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An endoscope device comprising: an endoscope including an insertion portion and a first balloon attached to a distal end of the insertion portion; and an insertion guide that is to be covered on the insertion portion to guide insertion of the insertion portion, the insertion guide comprising a second balloon on its distal end, wherein the insertion portion or the insertion guide is fixed in a body cavity by expanding the first balloon or the second balloon, respectively, wherein the insertion portion has a first insertion tube, and the insertion guide has a second insertion tube which is slidably coupled to the first insertion tube, a balloon controller that controls air pressure of the first and second balloons, wherein the balloon controller supplies air to each of the first and second balloons to expand each of the first and second balloons, and keeps an expanded states of each of the first and second balloons by controlling the air pressures thereof at constant values, the balloon controller suctions the air from each of the first and second balloons to contract each of the first and second balloons, and keeps a contracted states of each of the first and second balloons by controlling the air pressures thereof at constant values, the balloon controller controls the air pressures to become the same supply pressure between the first and second balloons so as to be substantially the same size between the first and second balloons, wherein the first balloon is detachable from an outer surface of the insertion portion, and wherein the first balloon and the second balloon are substantially equal to each other in friction resistance against the body cavity when they are expanded, at least one of the first and second balloons is formed into a roughly cylindrical shape narrowed on both ends thereof, and when supply pressures become substantially equal to each other for the first and second balloons for which internal pressures have values which are at least 26.7 hPa and at most 133.3 hPa, friction resistances for the first and second balloons become substantially equal to each other.