US5058567A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible tube of endoscope and method of and apparatus for producing the same
Assignee: Pentax Corp
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Filing: 1990-03-30
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Granted: 1991-10-22
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Expires: 2010-03-30
Abstract
Abstract An elongated flexible tube that constitutes an insert part of an endoscope. The flexible tube comprises: a spiral tube made of a precipitation hardening metal and having a groove which is recessed inwardly from the outer surface of the tube, the groove extending in a straight line along the axis of the tube, the spiral tube being subjected to age hardening process after a solid solution treatment; a braided-wire tube formed by weaving fine metal wires into a braid, the braided-wire tube being closely fitted over the outer surface of the spiral tube; and a flexible skin closely and watertightly fitted over the outer surface of the braided-wire tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Nagashige Takahashi
- 👤 Teruo Ouchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:43
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L9/00; F16L9/02; A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0011; A61B1/005; B; B21; B21C; B21C37/00; B21C37/06; B21C37/15; B21C37/154; F16L9/006; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/4981; Y10T29/49812; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49861; Y10T29/49906; Y10T29/49908; Y10T29/49925; Y10T29/49927; Y10T29/49929
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An elongated flexible tube that constitutes an insert part of an endoscope, comprising: a spiral rube having an outer surface with a periphery, and being made of a precipitation hardening metal and including a discontinuous portion in the periphery of the outer surface of said tube, said discontinuous portion extending along the axis of said tube, said spiral tube having been subjected to age hardening after a solid solution treatment; a braided-wire tube formed by weaving fine metal wires into a braid, said braided-wire tube being closely fitted over the outer surface of said spiral tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An elongated flexible tube that constitutes an insert part of an endoscope, comprising: a spiral rube having an outer surface with a periphery, and being made of a precipitation hardening metal and including a discontinuous portion in the periphery of the outer surface of said tube, said discontinuous portion extending along the axis of said tube, said spiral tube having been subjected to age hardening after a solid solution treatment; a braided-wire tube formed by weaving fine metal wires into a braid, said braided-wire tube being closely fitted over the outer surface of said spiral tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A flexible tube of an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said spiral tube is made of copper-beryllium alloy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A flexible tube of an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said braided-wire tube is made of the same precipitation hardening metal as that for said spiral tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A flexible tube of an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said spiral tube comprises a plurality of spiral tube elements assembled together in close contact with each other, said spiral tube elements being different from each other in the direction of spiral winding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
A spiral tube for an elongated flexible tube that constitutes an insert part of an endoscope, said tube being made of a precipitation hardening metal and having a discontinuous portion in the periphery of said tube, said discontinuous portion extending in a straight line along the axis of said tube, said spiral tube having been subjected to age hardening after a solid solution treatment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A spiral tube for an elongated flexible tube that constitutes an insert part of an endoscope, said tube being made of a precipitation hardening metal and having a discontinuous portion in the periphery of said tube, said discontinuous portion extending in a straight line along the axis of said tube, said spiral tube having been subjected to age hardening after a solid solution treatment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1994-10-21 | 1995-04-22 | 1995-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-21 | 1999-04-22 | 1999-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-21 | 2003-04-22 | 2003-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |