Patent US4796604A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4796604A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Endoscope and a light guide thereof and a method for manufacturing the light guide
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1988-02-08
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Granted: 1989-01-10
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Expires: 2008-02-08
Abstract
Abstract An endoscope comprises an insertion section and a light guide contained in the internal space of the insertion section and adapted to guide an illumination light. The light guide includes a number of elongated optical fibers having individual distal end portions, which are bound into a bundle and bonded together. At least one spacing member is contained in the distal end portion of the bundle of optical fibers, with the optical fibers kept loose on the proximal-end side of the distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle to provide gaps among the optical fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiro Kawashima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165; A61B1/00064; A61B1/0011; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S600/00; Y10S600/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An endoscope comprising: an insertion section having an internal space; light guide means contained in the internal space of the insertion section and adapted to guide a illumination light, said light guide means including a number of elongated optical fibers having individual distal end portions bound into a bundle and bonded together; and spacing means contained in the distal end portion of the bundle of optical fibers, with the optical fibers kept loose on the proximal-end side of the distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle to provide gaps among the optical fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An endoscope comprising: an insertion section having an internal space; light guide means contained in the internal space of the insertion section and adapted to guide a illumination light, said light guide means including a number of elongated optical fibers having individual distal end portions bound into a bundle and bonded together; and spacing means contained in the distal end portion of the bundle of optical fibers, with the optical fibers kept loose on the proximal-end side of the distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle to provide gaps among the optical fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said spacing means includes a spacer for securing a predetermined space within the distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said spacer is formed of a rod-shaped member which has a circular cross section and is shorter than the bonded distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said spacer is formed of a rod-shaped member which has an oval cross section and is shorter than the bonded distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said insertion section includes a multi-lumen tube, said light guide means being contained in one of the lumens of said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
A light guide of an endoscope, comprising: a number of elongated optical fibers for guiding an illumination light, the respective distal end portions of said optical fibers being tightly bound into a bundle and bonded together; and spacing means contained in the distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle, with the optical fibers of the optical fiber bundle kept loose on the proximal-end side of the distal end portion to provide gaps among the optical fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
A light guide of an endoscope, comprising: a number of elongated optical fibers for guiding an illumination light, the respective distal end portions of said optical fibers being tightly bound into a bundle and bonded together; and spacing means contained in the distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle, with the optical fibers of the optical fiber bundle kept loose on the proximal-end side of the distal end portion to provide gaps among the optical fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The light guide according to claim 6, wherein said spacing means includes a spacer for securing a predetermined space within the distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The light guide according to claim 7, wherein said spacer is formed of a rod-shaped member which has a circular cross section and is shorter than the bonded distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The light guide according to claim 7, wherein said spacer is formed of a rod-shaped member which has an oval cross section and is shorter than the bonded distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for manufacturing a light guide of an endoscope, comprising the steps of: binding a plurality of optical fibers into a bundle; inserting spacing means into the distal end portion of the bundle of optical fibers, with the optical fibers kept loose on the proximal-end side of the distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle to provide gaps among the optical fibers.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for manufacturing a light guide of an endoscope, comprising the steps of: binding a plurality of optical fibers into a bundle; inserting spacing means into the distal end portion of the bundle of optical fibers, with the optical fibers kept loose on the proximal-end side of the distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle to provide gaps among the optical fibers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein said spacing means includes a spacer for securing a predetermined space within the distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
104 words
The method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of: previously fixing one end portion of a wire, for use as the spacer, in the distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle; inserting the other end portion of the wire into the internal space of an endoscope insertion section; introducing the optical fiber bundle into the internal space while simultaneously pulling the other end portion of the wire; fixing the distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle to a distal-end opening portion of the internal space; and cutting off that portion of the wire which projects from the distal-end opening portion.
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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) | 1992-01-10 | 1992-07-11 | 1993-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-10 | 1996-07-11 | 1997-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-10 | 2000-07-11 | 2001-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |