US5167220A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Systems and methods for maintaining a clear visual field during endoscopic procedures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-08-09
•
Granted: 1992-12-01
•
Expires: 2010-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A nasal sinus endoscope system and method. The system comprises a nasal sinus endoscope having a distal viewing window. A resilient tube is attached to the endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to the distal viewing window of the endoscope, and a syringe is connected to the proximal end of the resilient tube for selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof. The distal end of the resilient tube preferably forms an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube, and the resilient tube is attached to the endoscope such that the oblique opening formed by the distal end of the tube substantially faces the endoscope. The resilient tube is attached to the endoscope by means of suitable fasteners, such as, for example, elastic bands which encircle both the tube and the endoscope.
Inventors
- 👤 Cathy K. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/12; A61B1/233; A61B1/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A system for maintaining a clear visual field during endoscopic procedures, the system comprising: a substantially rigid endoscope having a distal viewing window; a resilient tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being attached to said endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to said distal viewing window of the endoscope; and means connected to the proximal end of the resilient tube for selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A system for maintaining a clear visual field during endoscopic procedures, the system comprising: a substantially rigid endoscope having a distal viewing window; a resilient tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being attached to said endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to said distal viewing window of the endoscope; and means connected to the proximal end of the resilient tube for selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the distal end of the resilient tube forms an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as defined in claim 2 wherein the resilient tube is attached to said endoscope such that the oblique opening formed by the distal end of the tube substantially faces the endoscope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the resilient tube has an outside diameter of approximately two millimeters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the resilient tube is formed of a silastic plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the resilient tube is attached to the endoscope by means of elastic bands which encircle both the tube and the endoscope.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for selectively forcing fluid through the tube comprises a syringe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as defined in claim 7 wherein the syringe has a fluid capacity within the range of from approximately twenty to approximately thirty cubic centimeters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as defined in claim 7 wherein the resilient tube has a resilient socket on the proximal end thereof and wherein the syringe is connected to said resilient socket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system, comprising: a substantially rigid nasal sinus endoscope having a distal viewing window; a resilient tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being attached to the endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to the distal viewing window of the endoscope; and a syringe connected to the proximal end of the resilient tube for selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system, comprising: a substantially rigid nasal sinus endoscope having a distal viewing window; a resilient tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being attached to the endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to the distal viewing window of the endoscope; and a syringe connected to the proximal end of the resilient tube for selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system as defined in claim 10 wherein the nasal sinus endoscope .is a forward oblique endoscope.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system as defined in claim 10 wherein the distal end of the resilient tube forms an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system as defined in claim 12 wherein the resilient tube is attached to said endoscope such that the oblique opening formed by the distal end of the tube substantially faces the endoscope.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system as defined in claim 13 wherein the resilient tube is attached to the endoscope by means of elastic bands which encircle both the tube and the endoscope.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system as defined in claim 14 wherein the resilient tube has an outside diameter of approximately two millimeters.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system as defined in claim 15 wherein the syringe has a fluid capacity within the range of from approximately twenty to approximately thirty cubic centimeters.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for maintaining a clear visual field during endoscopic procedures, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a resilient tube to a substantially rigid endoscope, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end and the endoscope having a distal viewing window, the tube being attached to the endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to the distal viewing window of the endoscope without obstructing said viewing window; and selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof so as to clear the distal viewing window of the endoscope.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for maintaining a clear visual field during endoscopic procedures, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a resilient tube to a substantially rigid endoscope, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end and the endoscope having a distal viewing window, the tube being attached to the endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to the distal viewing window of the endoscope without obstructing said viewing window; and selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof so as to clear the distal viewing window of the endoscope.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 17 wherein the endoscope is a nasal sinus endoscope.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as defined in claim 17 wherein the distal end of the resilient tube forms an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube and wherein the step of attaching the tube to the endoscope comprises positioning the tube such that the oblique opening formed by the distal end of the tube substantially faces the endoscope.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 17 wherein the resilient tube has an outside diameter of approximately two millimeters.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 17 wherein the step of attaching the resilient tube to the endoscope comprises placing at least one elastic band around both the tube and the endoscope.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined in claim 21 wherein one said elastic band is placed within the range of from approximately five millimeters to approximately six millimeters from the distal viewing window of the endoscope.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 22 wherein a second said elastic band is placed approximately three and one-half centimeters from the distal viewing window of the endoscope.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as defined in claim 17 wherein the step of selectively forcing fluid through the tube comprises the steps of: connecting a syringe to the proximal end of the tube; filling the syringe with fluid; and selectively actuating the syringe so as force fluid from the syringe and through the tube.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
100 words
A system for maintaining a clear visual field adjacent a distal viewing window of an endoscope, the system comprising: a resilient tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being attached to said endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to said distal viewing window of ht endoscope, and the tube being attached to the endoscope by means of fasteners which at least partially encircle the endoscope; and means connected to the proximal end of the resilient tube for selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
100 words
A system for maintaining a clear visual field adjacent a distal viewing window of an endoscope, the system comprising: a resilient tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being attached to said endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to said distal viewing window of ht endoscope, and the tube being attached to the endoscope by means of fasteners which at least partially encircle the endoscope; and means connected to the proximal end of the resilient tube for selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
140 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system, comprising: a nasal sinus endoscope having a distal viewing window; a resilient tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being attached to the endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity tot he distal viewing window of the endoscope, the distal end of the tube forming an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube, the tube being attached to said endoscope such that the oblique opening formed by the distal end of the tube substantially faces the endoscope, and the tube being attached to the endoscope by means of fasteners which at least partially encircle the endoscope; and a syringe connected to the proximal end of the resilient tube for selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
140 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system, comprising: a nasal sinus endoscope having a distal viewing window; a resilient tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being attached to the endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity tot he distal viewing window of the endoscope, the distal end of the tube forming an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube, the tube being attached to said endoscope such that the oblique opening formed by the distal end of the tube substantially faces the endoscope, and the tube being attached to the endoscope by means of fasteners which at least partially encircle the endoscope; and a syringe connected to the proximal end of the resilient tube for selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system as defined in claim 26 wherein the resilient tube has an outside diameter of approximately two millimeters.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system as defined in claim 27 wherein the syringe has a fluid capacity within the range of from approximately twenty to approximately thirty cubic centimeters.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for maintaining a clear visual field during endoscopic procedures, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a resilient tube to an endoscope, said attaching step comprising placing at least one fastener around both the tube and the endoscope, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end and the endoscope, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end and the endoscope having a distal viewing window, the tube being attached to the endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to the distal viewing window of the endoscope without obstructing said viewing window; and selectively forming fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof so as to clear the distal viewing window of the endoscope.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for maintaining a clear visual field during endoscopic procedures, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a resilient tube to an endoscope, said attaching step comprising placing at least one fastener around both the tube and the endoscope, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end and the endoscope, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end and the endoscope having a distal viewing window, the tube being attached to the endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to the distal viewing window of the endoscope without obstructing said viewing window; and selectively forming fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof so as to clear the distal viewing window of the endoscope.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 29 wherein one said fastener is placed within the range of from approximately five millimeters to approximately six millimeters from the distal viewing window of the endoscope.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 30 wherein a second said fastener is placed approximately three and one-half centimeters form the distal viewing window of the endoscope.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for maintaining a clear visual field adjacent a distal viewing window of an endoscope, the system comprising: a resilient tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being attached to said endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to said distal viewing window of the endoscope, and the tube being attached to the endoscope by means of elastic bands which encircle both the tube and the endoscope; and means connected to the proximal end of the resilient tube for selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for maintaining a clear visual field adjacent a distal viewing window of an endoscope, the system comprising: a resilient tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being attached to said endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to said distal viewing window of the endoscope, and the tube being attached to the endoscope by means of elastic bands which encircle both the tube and the endoscope; and means connected to the proximal end of the resilient tube for selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
142 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system, comprising: a nasal sinus endoscope having a distal viewing window; a resilient tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being attached to the endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to the distal viewing window of the endoscope, the distal end of the tube forming an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube, the tube being attached to said endoscope such that the oblique opening formed by the distal end of the tube substantially faces the endoscope, and the tube being attached to the endoscope by means of elastic bands which encircle both the tube and the endoscope; and a syringe connected to the proximal end of the resilient tube for selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
142 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system, comprising: a nasal sinus endoscope having a distal viewing window; a resilient tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being attached to the endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to the distal viewing window of the endoscope, the distal end of the tube forming an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube, the tube being attached to said endoscope such that the oblique opening formed by the distal end of the tube substantially faces the endoscope, and the tube being attached to the endoscope by means of elastic bands which encircle both the tube and the endoscope; and a syringe connected to the proximal end of the resilient tube for selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system as defined in claim 33 wherein the resilient tube has an outside diameter of approximately two millimeters.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
A nasal sinus endoscope system as defined in claim 34 wherein the syringe has a fluid capacity within the range of from approximately twenty to approximately thirty cubic centimeters.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for maintaining a clear visual field during endoscopic procedures, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a resilient tube to an endoscope, said attaching step comprising placing at least one elastic band around both the tube and the endoscope, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end and the endoscope having a distal viewing window, the tube being attached to the endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to the distal viewing window of the endoscope without obstructing said viewing window; and selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof so as to clear the distal viewing window of the endoscope.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for maintaining a clear visual field during endoscopic procedures, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a resilient tube to an endoscope, said attaching step comprising placing at least one elastic band around both the tube and the endoscope, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end and the endoscope having a distal viewing window, the tube being attached to the endoscope such that the distal end of the tube is in proximity to the distal viewing window of the endoscope without obstructing said viewing window; and selectively forcing fluid through the tube and out of the distal end thereof so as to clear the distal viewing window of the endoscope.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined in claim 36 wherein one said elastic band is placed within the range of from approximately five millimeters to approximately six millimeters from the distal viewing window of the endoscope.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 37 wherein a second said elastic band is placed approximately three and one-half centimeters from the distal viewing window of the endoscope.
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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) | 1995-12-01 | 1996-06-01 | 1996-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-01 | 2000-06-01 | 2000-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-01 | 2004-06-01 | 2004-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |