US Patent 7060024 Apparatus for guiding an instrument used with an endoscope

An apparatus for guiding an instrument inserted through an endoscope's instrument channel is provided. The apparatus can attach to an endoscope to guide the position of the end of the instrument, such as by constraining the instrument to bend in a predetermined manner, or otherwise guide the distal end of the instrument extending from the distal end of the instrument channel. The apparatus can be used to assist in positioning the instrument to perform useful work on tissue adjacent the perimeter of the endoscope. The apparatus can also be used to provide cooperation between instruments inserted either through or alongside the endoscope.