US4745908A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inspection instrument fexible shaft having deflection compensation means
Assignee: ACMI Corp
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Filing: 1987-05-08
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Granted: 1988-05-24
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Expires: 2007-05-08
Abstract
Abstract An inspection instrument for accessing a target area has a shaft with a structural core of flexible material. The core has sufficient rigidity to provide a continuous frame for the shaft, but also allows the shaft to be flexible for deflection. The core has a conduit means which passes through the core along a non-straight path to act as a deflection compensation means for conduit means deformation during shaft bending or deflection.
Inventors
- 👤 John L. Wardle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051; G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/26; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4407; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S600/00; Y10S600/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape for accessing a target area, the instrument having a proximal region thereof, a distal region thereof, and a shaft therebetween, said shaft comprising: structural core means of a substantially flexible material with a first longitudinal axis and a first pre-determined length, said core means comprising a channel means at least partially offset from said first longitudinal axis and having a second pre-determined length; and deflection compensation means to compensate for channel means deformation in said core caused by shaft deflection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
An instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape for accessing a target area, the instrument having a proximal region thereof, a distal region thereof, and a shaft therebetween, said shaft comprising: structural core means of a substantially flexible material with a first longitudinal axis and a first pre-determined length, said core means comprising a channel means at least partially offset from said first longitudinal axis and having a second pre-determined length; and deflection compensation means to compensate for channel means deformation in said core caused by shaft deflection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An instrument as in claim 1 wherein said core means is an extruded polymer material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An instrument as in claim 1 wherein said channel means is offset from said first longitudinal axis proximate said distal region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An instrument as in claim 1 wherein said compensation means comprises said channel means being at least partially spiralled about said first longitudinal axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An instrument as in claim 1 wherein said compensation means comprises said channel means being non-straight relative to said first longitudinal axis and having a first cross-sectional position on said core at a first longitudinal position and a second cross-sectional position on said core at a second longitudinal position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An instrument as in claim 1 wherein said channel means second pre-determined length is relatively longer than said core first pre-determined length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An instrument as in claim 1 wherein said core means is twisted along at least a portion of said first longitudinal axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
An instrument as in claim 7 further comprising a twist retention means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An instrument as in claim 1 further comprising bundles of light transmitting fibers located with said conduit means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
An instrument as in claim 1 further comprising distal end deflection means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
An instrument as in claim 1 further comprising shaft torque stabilizer means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
An instrument as in claim 11 wherein said shaft torque stabilizer means is selectively connected to said core means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
An instrument as in claim 1 wherein said shaft is about 10 French in circumference.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of manufacturing a core for use in an instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape for accessing a target area, the method comprising the steps of: forming a flexible structural core of a resilient material having a first longitudinal axis and a first pre-determined length, said core comprising a first channel means at least partially offset from said first longitudinal axis; and twisting said core about said first longitudinal axis to thereby spiral said first channel means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of manufacturing a core for use in an instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape for accessing a target area, the method comprising the steps of: forming a flexible structural core of a resilient material having a first longitudinal axis and a first pre-determined length, said core comprising a first channel means at least partially offset from said first longitudinal axis; and twisting said core about said first longitudinal axis to thereby spiral said first channel means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 14 wherein said channel means is spiralled about said first longitudinal axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 14 wherein said channel means has a second pre-determined length relatively shorter than said first pre-determined length after said step of twisting.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 14 further comprising the step of connecting a shaft torque stabilizer means to said core.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of manufacturing a shaft for use in an instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape for accessing a target area, the method comprising the steps of: forming a flexible structural core of a resilient material having a first longitudinal axis and a first pre-determined length, said core comprising a first channel means at least partially offset from said first longitudinal axis and having a first cross-sectional position on said core at a first longitudinal position and a second cross-sectional position on said core at a second longitudinal position; and positioning a distal end deflection means in said channel means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of manufacturing a shaft for use in an instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape for accessing a target area, the method comprising the steps of: forming a flexible structural core of a resilient material having a first longitudinal axis and a first pre-determined length, said core comprising a first channel means at least partially offset from said first longitudinal axis and having a first cross-sectional position on said core at a first longitudinal position and a second cross-sectional position on said core at a second longitudinal position; and positioning a distal end deflection means in said channel means.
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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) | 1991-05-24 | 1991-11-23 | 1992-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-24 | 1995-11-23 | 1996-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-24 | 1999-11-23 | 2000-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |