Patent ID: 7798957

Claim:
A method of using an endoscope and a guide having a rigid elongated body member with a handle at a proximal end to perform a colonoscopy in a colon, the method comprising the steps of: a) inserting a tip of the endoscope into the colon through the anus; b) advancing the endoscope in the colon; c) introducing a distal end of the body member into the rectum generally along the endoscope with an inner side of said body member substantially adjacent or against the endoscope; d) advancing the inner side of the body member along the endoscope; e) tilting the body member of the guide while said body member is disposed in the rectum to exert leftward force against the endoscope in the rectum so as to direct the endoscope towards the descending colon; and f) advancing the endoscope against the body member in the colon while the body member is tilted to perform the colonoscopy; wherein the advancing of step d) does not advance said body member beyond the rectum.