Patent ID: 8353860
Filing Date: 2013-01-15
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. An endoscope system for clearing an obstruction in a patient, comprising: an elongated flexible shaft with a proximal end, a distal tip terminating distally at a forward face and having a tapered portion with a narrowest point at the forward face and a widest point proximal to the narrowest point, at least one aspiration lumen, and at least one irrigation lumen; wherein the shaft includes a plurality of irrigation ports functionally connected to the at least one irrigation lumen; and a plurality of aspiration ports functionally connected to the at least one aspiration lumen, wherein the plurality of aspiration ports are positioned around the circumference of the shaft and extend into the distal tip such that the aspiration ports are at least partly open to the side of the shaft and at least partly open to the distal tip, wherein the aspiration ports each have an opening with an edge defining the entire distal circumference of the aspiration port, the edge having a first end situated proximal to the widest point of the tapered portion and a second end situated between the widest point of the tapered portion and the narrowest point of the tapered portion; and wherein the at least one irrigation lumen is adapted to be connected to a source of irrigation and the at least one aspiration lumen is adapted to be connected to a source of aspiration at the proximal end of the shaft and wherein the sources are selectively controlled by a user input device to deliver an irrigant through the at least one irrigation lumen on the endoscope and to aspirate through the at least one aspiration lumen.