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US4593682A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Endoscope

Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
•
Filing: 1984-09-24
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Granted: 1986-06-10
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Expires: 2004-09-24
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Abstract

Abstract The endoscope for the observation and examination of bodily cavities is equipped with uninterrupted image and light ducts and divided into a rigid distal longitudinal member equipped with a handle, and a flexible longitudinal member joined thereto and comprising an eyepiece and a light duct connector. A pair of closely spaced image ducts may be provided connected to respective objectives and eyepieces to allow for stereoscopic observation.

Inventors

  • 👤 Helmut Heckele

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 21:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/233

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 108 words
In an endoscope having continuous image and light ducts for the observation and examination of body cavities, in particular prefrontal sinuses, the improvements comprising said endoscope being divided into a first relatively rigid distal longitudinal member forming a unit with a handle and having a distal end and a second relatively flexible longitudinal member proximally joined to the handle of the unit and comprising an eyepiece joined to the image duct and a connector for the light duct so that as said handle controls movement of the distal end of the unit into a body cavity, the second flexible member allows relative movement between the handle and eyepiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 108 words
In an endoscope having continuous image and light ducts for the observation and examination of body cavities, in particular prefrontal sinuses, the improvements comprising said endoscope being divided into a first relatively rigid distal longitudinal member forming a unit with a handle and having a distal end and a second relatively flexible longitudinal member proximally joined to the handle of the unit and comprising an eyepiece joined to the image duct and a connector for the light duct so that as said handle controls movement of the distal end of the unit into a body cavity, the second flexible member allows relative movement between the handle and eyepiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
In an endoscope according to claim 1, in which the distal end of the first longitudinal member is angled over.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
In an endoscope according to claim 1, in which the first and second longitudinal members of the endoscope form an indivisible unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 30 words
In an endoscope according to claim 1, in which the first and second longitudinal members of the endoscope are releasably coupled to each other in the area of the handle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 48 words
In an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said image duct has a distal objective lens and in which at least one open ended passage having an outlet opening situated in the area of the objective lens extends parallel to the image and light ducts traversing the endoscope.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 27 words
In an endoscope according to claim 5, in which the coupling connectors of the light duct and for at least one passage are secured on the handle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 28 words
In an endoscope according to claim 5, in which coupling connectors for the light duct and at least one passage are secured to a section of the eyepiece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 51 words
In an endoscope according to claim 1, in which for the purpose of steroscopic observation, the endoscope has two image ducts extending with small spacings from each other, each of the two image ducts having a respective objective lens at the distal side and a respective eyepiece at the proximal side.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 113 words
In an endoscope having continuous image and light ducts for observation and examination of body cavities, in particular prefrontal sinuses, the improvements comprising said endoscope being divided into first and second units, said first unit having a handle with a first relatively rigid longitudinal member extending therefrom and terminating in a distal end of the endoscope, and said second unit comprising a second relatively flexible longitudinal member connected to the handle and extending to a connector for the light duct and to an eyepiece optical joined to the image duct so that both the eyepiece and connector can be moved relative to the handle without disturbing the distal end in a body cavity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 113 words
In an endoscope having continuous image and light ducts for observation and examination of body cavities, in particular prefrontal sinuses, the improvements comprising said endoscope being divided into first and second units, said first unit having a handle with a first relatively rigid longitudinal member extending therefrom and terminating in a distal end of the endoscope, and said second unit comprising a second relatively flexible longitudinal member connected to the handle and extending to a connector for the light duct and to an eyepiece optical joined to the image duct so that both the eyepiece and connector can be moved relative to the handle without disturbing the distal end in a body cavity.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3677262A Cited
US3776222A Cited
US3889662A Cited
US4430996A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1989-06-09 1989-12-09 1990-06-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1993-06-09 1993-12-09 1994-06-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1997-06-09 1997-12-09 1998-06-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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