Shield for endoscopic instruments

Claim 1

An endoscopic instrument comprising an elongated member, said elongated member having: a. a front end adapted for insertion into the bladder through the urethra, b. a back end having at least one projecting portion extending transverse to the length of the instrument, c. a cavity running substantially the entire length of said elongated member from an opening at said front end to an opening at said back end, the opening at said back end being adapted to receive a viewing instrument, and d. a shield having an end surface, said shield being pivotally mounted at said back end of said elongated member such that said shield is in a non-interfering position when said viewing instrument is in said cavity, and wherein said shield pivots to a position such that said deflecting surface is protectively disposed behind said opening at said back end when said viewing instrument is removed from said cavity e. said shield further comprising a sidewall having a substantially U-shaped cross-section; said end surface being integrally joined to one end of said sidewall; an elastic band having its free ends joined to said sidewalls so as to bridge the opening in said sidewall; said band encircling said instrument and said projection at the rearward end thereof to normally urge said sidewall to abut against the back end of said instrument whereby the curved configuration maintains said sidewall a spaced distance from the back end opening to permit escape of fluids even when said shield is moved over said back end.