There is provided a colon cleaning device comprising: a tube through which liquid and fecal matter are removed from a colon of a patient, the tube having a longitudinal axis; a cleaning head positioned at the distal end of the tube, the cleaning head having at least one opening coaxial with the longitudinal axis, the at least one opening sized for fecal matter to enter the interior of the cleaning head from the colon; at least one disassembly element disposed within the cleaning head; and an actuating mechanism which actuates the disassembly element to perform sweeping displacement inside the cleaning head so that the at least one disassembly element rotates around the longitudinal axis to slice through the fecal matter; wherein the cleaning head and the tube are sized and shaped to be displaced along the colon of a patient.

Disclosed herein is a fecalith treatment system for the removal of an impacted fecalith from a formed diverticula. The fecalith treatment system having an endoscopic device having a steerable line configured to be introduced into a patient via the endoscopic device; and an articulable fecalith treatment device coupled to a distal end of a treatment conduit that is configured to be received therein the steerable line to be delivered to an operative position within the patient. Subsequently, the fecalith treatment device is configured to allow for the removal of the impacted fecalith without damaging the underlying diverticula tissue.

Disclosed herein is a fecalith treatment system for the removal of an impacted fecalith from a formed diverticula. The fecalith treatment system having an endoscopic device having a steerable line configured to be introduced into a patient via the endoscopic device; and an articulable fecalith treatment device coupled to a distal end of a treatment conduit that is configured to be received therein the steerable line to be delivered to an operative position within the patient. Subsequently, the fecalith treatment device is configured to allow for the removal of the impacted fecalith without damaging the underlying diverticula tissue.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using peristalsis to force a polymer plug through a mammalian lumen, thereby removing any calculi and/or calculi fragments present in the lumen. In one embodiment, the method is used as an alternative to conventional lithotripsy. In another embodiment, the method is used in conjunction with lithotripsy, thereby removing the small calculi fragments that result from such procedures.

Disclosed herein is a fecalith treatment system for the removal of an impacted fecalith from a formed diverticula. The fecalith treatment system having an endoscopic device having a steerable line configured to be introduced into a patient via the endoscopic device; and an articulable fecalith treatment device coupled to a distal end of a treatment conduit that is configured to be received therein the steerable line to be delivered to an operative position within the patient. Subsequently, the fecalith treatment device is configured to allow for the removal of the impacted fecalith without damaging the underlying diverticula tissue.

There is provided a colon cleaning device comprising: a tube through which liquid and fecal matter are removed from a colon of a patient, the tube having a longitudinal axis; a cleaning head positioned at the distal end of the tube, the cleaning head having at least one opening coaxial with the longitudinal axis, the at least one opening sized for fecal matter to enter the interior of the cleaning head from the colon; at least one disassembly element disposed within the cleaning head; and an actuating mechanism which actuates the disassembly element to perform sweeping displacement inside the cleaning head so that the at least one disassembly element rotates around the longitudinal axis to slice through the fecal matter; wherein the cleaning head and the tube are sized and shaped to be displaced along the colon of a patient.

A manually manipulatable tool for removing a fecal impaction, the tool is adapted for insertion into a patient's rectum to engage and penetrate the impaction. The tool is fitted with flexible, arcuately configured elements collapsible at least partially during insertion into the rectum and penetration of the fecal impaction, withdrawal of the tool deploying the elements to exert traction on the impaction thus facilitating withdrawal of at least portions of the impaction. A body member of the tool is preferably elongated and can optionally be provided with a longitudinally extending lumen for introduction of an enema solution concurrently with or independently of impaction removal.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and method for treating a bowel obstruction. An example apparatus includes a first tong element and a second tong element forming a pair of tong elements pivotally connected at a junction point and movable between an opened position and a closed position. Each tong element defines a distal end and a proximal end and a body extending therebetween. The distal end of the first tong element defines a first collection half element and the distal end of the second tong element defines a second collection half element. The first collection half element and the second collection half element form a collection element when the pair of tong elements are in the closed position, which defines an inwardly facing cavity. At least one of an interior of the first collection half element or an interior of the second collection half element define a plurality of grasping teeth.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and method for treating a bowel obstruction. An example apparatus includes first and second tong elements forming a pair of tong elements pivotally connected at a junction point and movable between an opened and a closed position. Each tong element defines a distal end and a proximal end and a body extending therebetween. The distal end of the first tong element defines a first collection half element and the distal end of the second tong element defines a second collection half element. The first and second collection half element form a collection element when the pair of tong elements are in the closed position, which defines an inwardly facing cavity. A plurality of laterally extending substantially parabolic grasping teeth span an interior of the first and second collection half elements and define a laterally extending substantially parabolic grasping edge.