Patent ID: 7775969

Claim:
A method for using an endoscope including a working channel having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface, an optical fiber having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface, and a flexible sleeve in a body, said method comprising the steps of: a) embedding the optical fiber in the flexible sleeve in a first operational state and locating the distal end of the optical fiber inside the flexible sleeve, the flexible sleeve covering the distal end of the optical fiber, the distal end of the optical fiber positioned proximally of a distal tip of the flexible sleeve; b) introducing the flexible sleeve with the optical fiber embedded therein into a working channel of the endoscope and extending the distal tip of the flexible sleeve from the distal end of the working channel; c) retracting the flexible sleeve relative to the optical fiber and relative to the working channel so that the distal end of the optical fiber extends from the distal tip of the flexible sleeve and from the distal end of the working channel to form a lumen between the inner surface of the working channel and the outer surface of at least one of the optical fiber and the flexible sleeve, wherein the step of retracting the flexible sleeve further comprises retracting the flexible sleeve substantially completely from the working channel in a second operational state so that only the optical fiber is located within the working channel, and the method further comprises the step of reintroducing the flexible sleeve into the working channel prior to removing the flexible sleeve with the fiber located therein from the body; d) using the lumen for at least one purpose selected from the group consisting of a diagnostic purpose, a therapeutic purpose, delivery of fluid, and collection of fluid, and e) removing the flexible sleeve with the fiber located therein from the body.