US4784464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscope optical fiber bundle
Assignee: Pentax Corp
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Filing: 1987-02-04
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Granted: 1988-11-15
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Expires: 2007-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic endoscope in which a bundle of optical fibers are sealed in a flexible cover tube with a lubricant. The cross section of the central part of the cover tube is about 62% of the cross section of the optical fibers when tightly bundled.
Inventors
- 👤 Teruo Ouchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:42
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/26; A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
An optical fiber endoscope, comprising: a flexible outer tube; a flexible cover tube inserted in said outer tube and having a middle substantially circular portion of sectional area S; a plurality of optical fibers inserted and sealed over substantially their entire length in said cover tube; and a lubricant sealed in said cover tube; wherein a sectional area s of said plurality of optical fibers when tightly bundled satisfies the relation 0.55S≦s≦0.69S.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
An optical fiber endoscope, comprising: a flexible outer tube; a flexible cover tube inserted in said outer tube and having a middle substantially circular portion of sectional area S; a plurality of optical fibers inserted and sealed over substantially their entire length in said cover tube; and a lubricant sealed in said cover tube; wherein a sectional area s of said plurality of optical fibers when tightly bundled satisfies the relation 0.55S≦s≦0.69S.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An endoscope as recited in claim 1, wherein said relation is restricted to 0.59S≦s≦0.64S.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An endoscope as recited in claim 1, wherein a density of said lubricant at an operating end of said cover tube is greater than a density of said lubricant in a remaining portion of said cover tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An endoscope as recited in claim 2, wherein a density of said lubricant at an operating end of said cover tube is greater than a density of said lubricant in a remaining portion of said cover tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
An endoscope as recited in claim 1, wherein densities of said lubricant in both end portions of said cover tube are greater than a density of said lubricant in an intermediate portion of said cover tube between said end portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An endoscope as recited in claim 2, wherein densities of said lubricant in both end portions of said cover tube are greater than a density of said lubricant in an intermediate portion of said cover tube between said end portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An endoscope as recited in claim 1, wherein said optical fibers are coated with said lubricant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An endoscope as recited in claim 2, wherein said optical fibers are coated with said lubricant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An endoscope as recited in claim 1, further comprising two rings each fixing said plurality of optical fibers with cross sectional areas substantially equal to s and sealingly held by ends of said cover tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An endoscope as recited in claim 2, further comprising two rings each fixing said plurality of optical fibers with cross sectional areas substantially equal to s and sealingly held by ends of said cover tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An endoscope as recited in claim 1, wherein said lubricant is coated on said fibers.
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) | 1991-11-15 | 1992-05-16 | 1992-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-15 | 1996-05-16 | 1996-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-15 | 2000-05-16 | 2000-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |