US5536244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscopic instrument with improved closure window
Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
•
Filing: 1994-06-27
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Granted: 1996-07-16
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Expires: 2014-06-27
Abstract
Abstract An endoscopic instrument includes an elongate shaft with an optical system arranged therein. The shaft is closed off at least its distal end by a window which is firmly and tightly connected to the shaft. The closure window is constructed of spinel or yttrium-aluminum-garnet. The spinel may be cubic monocrystalline spinel or polycrystalline spinel, and the yttrium-aluminum-garnet may be undoped or neodymium-doped. Similar closure windows of the same materials may be provided at other openings in the endoscope shaft, such as a proximal end ocular or eyepiece or a lateral light guide window. The closure window may optionally be in the form of a lens to function as part of the optical system.
Inventors
- 👤 Werner Muller
- 👤 Bernd Pfitzenmeier
- 👤 Ralf Thiehofe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L29/00; A61L29/02; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00096; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
In an endoscopic instrument including an elongated shaft, an optical observation system arranged therein, and at least one closure window, the shaft having at least one opening closed by said closure window which is firmly and tightly connected with the shaft, the improvement comprising the closure window being constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of spinel and yttrium-aluminum-garnet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
In an endoscopic instrument including an elongated shaft, an optical observation system arranged therein, and at least one closure window, the shaft having at least one opening closed by said closure window which is firmly and tightly connected with the shaft, the improvement comprising the closure window being constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of spinel and yttrium-aluminum-garnet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein the optical observation system is hermetically sealed by said at least one closure window.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein the material of said at least one closure window comprises cubic monocrystalline spinel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein the material of said at least one closure window comprises polycrystalline spinel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein the material of said at least one closure window comprises undoped yttrium-aluminum-garnet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein the material of said at least one closure window comprises neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, further comprising at least one metallic frame, the material of said at least one window being connected into said metallic frame by a solder joint, and said frame being connected to the instrument shaft by a weld seam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 7, wherein the solder joint is formed by high vacuum soldering.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 7, wherein said frame is in the form of an annulus having an L-shaped cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 7, further comprising a capillary gap between an edge of said window and said frame, said gap being filled with solder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 7, further comprising a V-shaped groove between an upper region of said frame and an edge of said window for receiving a solder material which forms said solder joint.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 11, wherein said solder joint is formed of said solder material which has flowed from said groove into a capillary gap between an edge of said window and said frame by means of high vacuum soldering.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein the material of said at least one window has a metallic coating at an edge of the window and the window is connected into the instrument by a solder joint.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein said closure window is a lens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein the shaft has a distal end opening, and the closure window seals the distal end of the shaft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein the shaft has a proximal end opening, and the closure window forms part of an eyepiece which closes the proximal end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein the shaft has a lateral opening for a light guide, and the closure window seals the lateral opening.
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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) | 1999-07-16 | 2000-01-15 | 2000-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-16 | 2004-01-15 | 2004-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-16 | 2008-01-15 | 2008-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |