EP0721763B1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for cleaning of an endoscope using a spray module
Assignee: Adachi Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1995-12-18
•
Granted: 2002-11-27
•
Expires: 2015-12-18
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Saburo Adachi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
Method of cleaning or removing deposits at an open end
of an axially extending channel of an elongated flexible
tubular member (3) of a fiberscope using a spray module (7) wherein said spray
module (7) comprises a pressure-resistant container
filled with a compressed gas, a spray nozzle (33)
capable of advancing inwardly with respect to said
pressure-resistant container, a valve mechanism (35) for
ejecting the compressed gas from said spray nozzle (33)
in association with the inward displacement of the spray
nozzle (33), and an adapter (8) which can be connected
to an operator means (2) for the elongated flexible
tubular member (3) of the fiberscope, said adapter (8)
being provided with a bore (42) for communicating said
spray nozzle (33) with the channel of the tubular member
(3) through a fluid passageway (23) formed in said
operator means (2), the method comprising ejecting a compressed gas from the
spray nozzle (33) of said spray module (7) to the open
end of the channel axially extending in the elongated
flexible tubular member (3) of the fiberscope, wherein the adapter (8) can be connected to a mounting
part of the operator means (2), and the mounting part
comprises a mounting recess formed in the operator means
(2) and adapted to accept the adapter (8).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
Method according to claim 1, wherein the adapter (8) is
detachably mounted on the spray nozzle (33).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
Method according to claim 1, wherein the adapter (8) is
provided with a control means which precludes the
movement of the spray nozzle (33) in an axially outward
direction and driving said spray nozzle (33) inwardly
with respect to the pressure-resistant container in
association with the application of a pressing force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
123 words
Method according to claim 1, wherein the valve mechanism
(35) comprises a first cylindrical valve member having a
collar at one end and a throughhole at the other end for
the spray nozzle (33), a second cylindrical valve member
housing said first cylindrical valve member in an
axially reciprocable manner and adapted to lock or
support the spray nozzle (33) extending through the
first cylindrical valve member at the bottom thereof, a
sealing means for sealing the part between said first
cylindrical valve member and the spray nozzle at the
both ends of said first cylindrical valve member, and a
first spring disposed between said first cylindrical
valve member and said second cylindrical valve member
for biasing the spray nozzle (33) axially outwardly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
Method according to claim 4, wherein the adapter (8) is
secured to the outer end of the spray nozzle (33) and
comprises a base integral with said spray nozzle (33)
and having a flange, a casing accommodating slidably
said flange and having an inside wall for restricting
the movement of said flange inwardly with respect to
said spray nozzle (33), and a second spring disposed in
said casing and having a larger biasing force than the
first spring for biasing said flange outwardly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
Method according to claim 1, wherein said channel of the
tubular member (3) comprises a gas-subchannel and a
water-subchannel which are met or jointed each other on
the way of the channel to form the channel extending to
an open end of the tubular member (3), and said fluid
passageway comprises a gas sub-passageway which is
communicable with a gas supply tube extending from a
light guide unit and the gas subchannel of the channel,
and a water sub-passageway which is communicable with a
water supply tube extending from the light guide unit
and a water subchannel of the channel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2797965A
Cited
EP0437229A1
Cited
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