Patent US5191878A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5191878A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Endoscope device
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1991-04-09
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Granted: 1993-03-09
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Expires: 2011-04-09
Abstract
Abstract An endoscope device has an endoscope provided with a front end portion where a nozzle and a sucking opening are formed. A first passage and a fluid supply pump are connected to the nozzle to supply fluid to it. A second passage and a suction pump are connected to the sucking opening. Connected to the first and second passages are a third passage and a pump for circulating the fluid in such a way that it is sucked through the sucking opening and jetted through the nozzle.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshihiro Iida
- 👤 Jin Kira
- 👤 Yutaka Ohshima
- 👤 Toshiyuki Takara
- 👤 Koji Yamaya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00066; A61B1/00068; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00091; A61B1/012; A61B1/015; A61B1/12; A61B1/126; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/71; A61M1/77
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An endoscope device comprising: an endoscope having a front end portion provided with a nozzle and a sucking opening; fluid supply means haivng a first passage connected to the nozzle for supplying a fluid to said nozzle; suction means having a second passage connected to said sucking opening; fluid circulating means having a fluid circulation pump attached to a third passage, said third passage being in fluid communication with both said first and second passages, said fluid circulation means circulating a sucked-in fluid through said third passage such that said sucked-in fluid is sucked in through said sucking opening and said second passage and expelled as a jet stream through said first passage and said nozzle; and a vessel attached to said third passage, said vessel being in fluid communication with a discharge side of said circulation pump, said vessel separating a gas from said sucked in fluid flowing through said third passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
An endoscope device comprising: an endoscope having a front end portion provided with a nozzle and a sucking opening; fluid supply means haivng a first passage connected to the nozzle for supplying a fluid to said nozzle; suction means having a second passage connected to said sucking opening; fluid circulating means having a fluid circulation pump attached to a third passage, said third passage being in fluid communication with both said first and second passages, said fluid circulation means circulating a sucked-in fluid through said third passage such that said sucked-in fluid is sucked in through said sucking opening and said second passage and expelled as a jet stream through said first passage and said nozzle; and a vessel attached to said third passage, said vessel being in fluid communication with a discharge side of said circulation pump, said vessel separating a gas from said sucked in fluid flowing through said third passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The endoscope device according to claim 1, further comprising: an observation window positioned at said front end portion of said endoscope; and wherein: said nozzle has an opening directed toward said observation window.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The endoscope device according to claim 1, further comprising: a by-pass passage for circulating said sucked in fluid flowing in said third passage without expelling said sucked in fluid through said nozzle; and change-over means for changing a fluid communication of said third passage to communicate with at least one of siad first and second passages and said by-pass passage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein: said fluid supply means ocmprises a fluid supply pump in fluid communication with said first passage; and said suction means comprises a suction pump in fluid communication with said second passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The endoscope device according to claim 4, further comprising: means for supplying a quantity of gas through said first passage; and means for stopping siad fluid circulation means after a supply of gas is started by a gas supply means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The endoscope device according to claim 4, further comprising: detector means for detecting an amount of fluid sucked in by said suction means; and means for adjusting a sucking force of said suction pump responsive to said amount of sucked in fluid detected by said detector means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The endoscope device according to claim 4, further comprising means for driving said fluid circulation pump in a reverse direction when said sucking opening is closed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The endoscope device according to claim 4, further comprising means for closing said third passage when said suction means is providing a sucking force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The endoscope device according to claim 4, further comprising control means including stopper means for stopping said fluid circulating means during a sucking operation of said suction means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The endoscope device according to claim 4, wherein said fluid supply means comprises means for supplying at least one of a quantity of air and a quantity of water to said first fluid passage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The endoscope device according to claim 10, further comprising control emans for controlling said quantity of air to be circulated into said first passage by said circulation pump and for controlling said quantity of water to be supplied into said first passage by a water supply means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The endoscope device according to claim 10, further comprising means for closing said third passage when said quantity of water is supplied into said first passage by a water supply means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The endoscope device according to claim 10, further comprising means for driving both a water supply means and said fluid circulating means when said suction means is providing a sucking force.
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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) | 1996-03-08 | 1996-09-07 | 1997-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-03-08 | 2000-09-07 | 2001-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-03-08 | 2004-09-07 | 2005-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |