Patent ID: 7721742
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for accessing an interior of a cavity of a mammal, said method comprising: positioning an elongated flexible conduit to extend from an exterior of the mammal through a natural orifice into and along at least a portion of the digestive tract to a target wall segment in the digestive tract; forming an incision in said target wall segment; advancing a distal end of said flexible conduit so that the distal end of said conduit extends through said wall; after forming said incision and advancing the distal end of said flexible conduit through said wall, anchoring said distal end with respect to said wall; advancing an endoscope through said conduit so that a distal end of said endoscope is disposed adjacent or distal to said distal end of said conduit; viewing at least one of a tissue and an organ within said cavity; releasing said anchor; withdrawing said conduit and said endoscope through said wall; and closing said incision, further comprising, after said forming an incision and before said advancing said conduit, dilating said incision to facilitate passage of said conduit therethrough, wherein said dilating comprises dilating with an inflatable balloon.