US4216767A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscope with closed pressurized inner cavity
Assignee: Machida Endoscope Co Ltd
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Filing: 1978-02-15
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Granted: 1980-08-12
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Expires: 1998-02-15
Abstract
Abstract An endoscope comprising one or plural fluid inlets at the grip end of the endoscope or at the feeding pipe which contains an air-feeding pipe and a light-transmitting optical fiber. For washing and sterilization of endoscope which does not have a water-proof structure, compressed air or liquid is infused through the fluid inlet, raising the inner pressure of the endoscope to prevent the permeation of the cleanser and disinfectant into the innerside of the endoscope. For washing and sterilization of an endoscope which has a water-proof structure, the compressed air or the liquid is infused through the fluid inlet to detect a pin hole on the surface of a flexible sheath.
Inventors
- 👤 Hisatake Aoshiro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/12; A61B1/121; A61B1/125; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
An endoscope comprising a grip end, an elongated sheath adapted to fit into a body orifice having a distal end and a proximal end, a fiber optic bundle extending from said proximal end to said distal end of said sheath, said grip end connected with said sheath and said sheath terminating in an examining end, said endoscope including said sheath having a closed inner cavity portion, the portions of said endoscope forming the walls of said closed cavity being non-expandable, said cavity extending along a major portion of said sheath, said sheath being flexible gas inlet means communicating with said closed inner cavity portion of said endoscope, a source of pressurized gas connected to said gas inlet means to introduce pressurized gas into said closed inner cavity portion to be contained therein coupling means for enabling repeated connection between said source of pressurized gas and the gas inlet means for repeatedly pressurizing the inner cavity portion, whereby said pressurized gas prevents cleansing liquid on the outside of said endoscope from permeating said sheath and highlights pinholes in said sheath by the production of gas bubbles thereat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
An endoscope comprising a grip end, an elongated sheath adapted to fit into a body orifice having a distal end and a proximal end, a fiber optic bundle extending from said proximal end to said distal end of said sheath, said grip end connected with said sheath and said sheath terminating in an examining end, said endoscope including said sheath having a closed inner cavity portion, the portions of said endoscope forming the walls of said closed cavity being non-expandable, said cavity extending along a major portion of said sheath, said sheath being flexible gas inlet means communicating with said closed inner cavity portion of said endoscope, a source of pressurized gas connected to said gas inlet means to introduce pressurized gas into said closed inner cavity portion to be contained therein coupling means for enabling repeated connection between said source of pressurized gas and the gas inlet means for repeatedly pressurizing the inner cavity portion, whereby said pressurized gas prevents cleansing liquid on the outside of said endoscope from permeating said sheath and highlights pinholes in said sheath by the production of gas bubbles thereat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas inlet means is connected at said grip end to be in gas communication with the closed inner cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An invention as claimed in claim 2, wherein said grip end comprises said gas inlet means, said gas inlet means comprising a plurality of gas inlets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas inlet means comprises a plurality of said gas inlet couplings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein said source of pressurized gas comprises a source of pressurized air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas inlet means is formed in said grip end.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-12 | 1984-02-11 | 1984-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-12 | 1988-02-11 | 1988-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-12 | 1992-02-11 | 1992-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |