Patent US4506544A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4506544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Leakage detector of endoscopes
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1983-03-21
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Granted: 1985-03-26
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Expires: 2003-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A leakage detector of endoscopes inspects cracks and pinholes within an endoscope of the perfect watertight structure by detecting leaked air therefrom while applying compressed air in the endoscope and, when no defect such as cracks and pinholes exists, controls by means of a relief valve so that the rise of air pressure within the endoscope assumes a given value.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshihito Shimizu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:49
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00002; A61B1/00057; A61B1/12; A61B1/121; G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A leakage detector for endoscopes, comprising: a first connector member to be connected to a compressed air source; a second connector member to be connected to a compressed air inlet portion of an endoscope of the perfect watertight structure for feeding compressed air to the inside of said endoscope; a communicating tube for connecting said first and second connector members; and a pressure regulator which is formed in at least one of said first and second connector members and said communicating tube for regulating the pressure of compressed air in said endoscope when said leakage detector is connected between a source of compressed air and an endoscope of the perfect watertight structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A leakage detector for endoscopes, comprising: a first connector member to be connected to a compressed air source; a second connector member to be connected to a compressed air inlet portion of an endoscope of the perfect watertight structure for feeding compressed air to the inside of said endoscope; a communicating tube for connecting said first and second connector members; and a pressure regulator which is formed in at least one of said first and second connector members and said communicating tube for regulating the pressure of compressed air in said endoscope when said leakage detector is connected between a source of compressed air and an endoscope of the perfect watertight structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A leakage detector for endoscopes according to claim 1, wherein said pressure regulator includes a pressure regulating screw in combination with a spring valve for adjusting the pressure in said communicating tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
158 words
A leakage detector for endoscopes comprising: a first connector member to be connected to a compressed air source, said first connector member having a structure substantially identical in shape to a connector which connector is for feeding air and water into said endoscope and is to be connected to a scope socket of a light source apparatus which is provided with an air supplying apparatus; a second connector member to be connected to a compressed air inlet portion of an endoscope of the perfect watertight structure for feeding compressed air into the inside of said endoscope; a communicating tube for connecting said first and second connector members; and a pressure regulator which is formed in at least one of said first and second connector members and said communicating tube for regulating the pressure of compressed air in said endoscope when said leakage detector is connected between said air supplying apparatus and an endoscope of the perfect watertight structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
158 words
A leakage detector for endoscopes comprising: a first connector member to be connected to a compressed air source, said first connector member having a structure substantially identical in shape to a connector which connector is for feeding air and water into said endoscope and is to be connected to a scope socket of a light source apparatus which is provided with an air supplying apparatus; a second connector member to be connected to a compressed air inlet portion of an endoscope of the perfect watertight structure for feeding compressed air into the inside of said endoscope; a communicating tube for connecting said first and second connector members; and a pressure regulator which is formed in at least one of said first and second connector members and said communicating tube for regulating the pressure of compressed air in said endoscope when said leakage detector is connected between said air supplying apparatus and an endoscope of the perfect watertight structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
203 words
A leakage detector for endoscopes, comprising: a first connector member to be connected to a compressed air source; a second connector member to be connected to a compressed air inlet portion of an endoscope of the perfect watertight structure for feeding compressed air to the inside of said endoscope; a communicating tube for connecting said first and second connector members; said second connector member having a compressed air applying portion which has a plurality of communicating holes and a projection which cooperate to allow the insides of said inlet portion and said communicating tube to communicate with each other through said communicating holes when said second connector member is connected to the inlet portion of said endoscope as a result of the fact that said projection pushes in an inlet valve for closing said inlet portion when said second connector is mounted on said compressed air inlet portion of said endoscope; and a pressure regulator which is formed in at least one of said first and second connector members and said communicating tube for regulating the pressure of compressed air in said endoscope when said leakage detector is connected between a source of compressed air and an endoscope of the perfect watertight structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
203 words
A leakage detector for endoscopes, comprising: a first connector member to be connected to a compressed air source; a second connector member to be connected to a compressed air inlet portion of an endoscope of the perfect watertight structure for feeding compressed air to the inside of said endoscope; a communicating tube for connecting said first and second connector members; said second connector member having a compressed air applying portion which has a plurality of communicating holes and a projection which cooperate to allow the insides of said inlet portion and said communicating tube to communicate with each other through said communicating holes when said second connector member is connected to the inlet portion of said endoscope as a result of the fact that said projection pushes in an inlet valve for closing said inlet portion when said second connector is mounted on said compressed air inlet portion of said endoscope; and a pressure regulator which is formed in at least one of said first and second connector members and said communicating tube for regulating the pressure of compressed air in said endoscope when said leakage detector is connected between a source of compressed air and an endoscope of the perfect watertight structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A leakage detector for endoscope according to claim 1, 3 or 4, in which said pressure regulator is formed with a relief valve for automatically regulating the compressed air pressure within the endoscope at a given value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A leakage detector for endoscopes according to claim 1, 3 or 4, wherein said pressure regulator is formed in said first connector member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A leakage detector for endoscopes according to claim 1, 3 or 4, wherein said pressure regulator is formed in said communicating tube approximately halfway between said first and second connector members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A leakage detector for endoscopes according to claim 1, 3 or 4, wherein said pressure regulator is formed in said second connector member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-25 | 1988-09-24 | 1989-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-25 | 1992-09-24 | 1993-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-25 | 1996-09-24 | 1997-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |