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US5591202A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Endoscopic instruments having low friction sheath
Assignee: Boston Scientific Miami Corp
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Filing: 1994-04-28
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Granted: 1997-01-07
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Expires: 2014-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A low friction sheath for endoscopic instruments is made from an extrusion grade of high density polyethylene (HDPE). The sheath is formed as an extruded polyethylene tube having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the instrument it will cover. In order to place the sheath over the instrument, a containment sleeve is placed over the sheath and a source of pressurized gas is coupled to one end of the sheath. The endoscopic instrument tube is sealed and inserted into the other end of the sheath. The polyethylene sheath is filled with gas so that it expands against the containment sleeve and the endoscopic instrument tube is pushed into the expanded polyethylene sheath. The gas is released from the polyethylene sheath and it contracts against the outer surface of the endoscopic instrument tube. The sheath is preferably made from a HDPE having a microfractured surface with 10-20 micron fractures.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles R. Slater
- 👤 Kevin W. Smith
- 👤 Matthew A. Palmer
- 👤 Anthony I. Mazzeo
- 👤 George Nunez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/0084
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
An endoscopic instrument comprising: a) a cylindrical member having a proximal end and a distal end; b) at least one end effector coupled to said distal end of said cylindrical member; c) handle means coupled to said proximal end of said cylindrical member; and d) a polyethylene sheath covering substantially all of said cylindrical member between said proximal and distal ends.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
An endoscopic instrument comprising: a) a cylindrical member having a proximal end and a distal end; b) at least one end effector coupled to said distal end of said cylindrical member; c) handle means coupled to said proximal end of said cylindrical member; and d) a polyethylene sheath covering substantially all of said cylindrical member between said proximal and distal ends.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein: said polyethylene sheath comprises high density polyethylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 2, wherein: said polyethylene sheath has a plurality of 10-20 micron fractures on its outer surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 3, further comprising: a lubricant either in or on said polyethylene sheath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 2, wherein: said high density polyethylene is extrusion grade.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein: said polyethylene sheath comprises a mixture of high density polyethylene and low density polyethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 6, wherein: said high density polyethylene is one of blow-molding grade and heat shrinkable grade.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, further comprising: a lubricant either in or on said polyethylene sheath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, further comprising: a fluorethylene polymer sheath at said distal end of said cylindrical member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein: said cylindrical member is a metal coil.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
An endoscopic instrument, comprising: a) a cylindrical member having a proximal end and a distal end; b) at least one end effector coupled to said distal end of said cylindrical member; c) handle means coupled to said proximal end of said cylindrical member; and d) a plastic sheath covering at least a portion of said cylindrical member between said proximal and distal ends, said plastic sheath having a microfractured outer surface, wherein said plastic sheath having a microfractured outer surface causes said endoscopic instrument to be more lubricious when passing through an endoscope than a similar endoscopic instrument covered with a fluorethylene polymer sheath.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
An endoscopic instrument, comprising: a) a cylindrical member having a proximal end and a distal end; b) at least one end effector coupled to said distal end of said cylindrical member; c) handle means coupled to said proximal end of said cylindrical member; and d) a plastic sheath covering at least a portion of said cylindrical member between said proximal and distal ends, said plastic sheath having a microfractured outer surface, wherein said plastic sheath having a microfractured outer surface causes said endoscopic instrument to be more lubricious when passing through an endoscope than a similar endoscopic instrument covered with a fluorethylene polymer sheath.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 11, wherein: said microfractured surface comprises a plurality of longitudinal fractures having a width of between ten and twenty microns.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 11, further comprising: a lubricant either in or on said plastic sheath.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 11, further comprising: a fluorethylene polymer sheath at said distal end of said cylindrical member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 11, wherein: said cylindrical member is a metal coil.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-07 | 2000-07-08 | 2001-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-07 | 2004-07-08 | 2005-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-07 | 2008-07-08 | 2009-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |