Patent US5876331A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5876331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscope with improved flexible insertion tube
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
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Filing: 1996-11-12
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Granted: 1999-03-02
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Expires: 2016-11-12
Abstract
Abstract In a flexible endoscope having a flexible insertion tube comprising a tubular, biocompatible elastomeric outer covering thereabout which encloses an interior space, the improvement according to the present invention comprises a vapor barrier between the outer covering and the interior space. Thus, vapor, such as hydrogen peroxide or other sterilants, passing through the outer covering from an atmosphere thereabout is prevented from entering the interior space by the vapor barrier. Further, the vapor is thus prevented from interacting with substances, such as lubricants, within the interior space to produce agents harmful to the elastomeric covering.
Inventors
- 👤 Su-Syin Wu
- 👤 Nancy S. Chu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/12; A61B1/121; G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2476
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
In a flexible endoscope having a flexible insertion tube comprising a tubular, biocompatible elastomeric outer covering thereabout which encloses an interior space, the improvement wherein the outer covering is vapor transmissive of oxidative sterilant vapors and wherein the insertion tube further comprises a vapor barrier, which is impermeable by and non-absorptive of oxidative sterilant vapors, between the outer covering and the interior space whereby vapor passing through the outer covering from an atmosphere thereabout is prevented from entering the interior space by the vapor barrier, and further whereby the vapor is thus prevented from interacting with substances within the interior space to produce agents harmful to the elastomeric covering.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a flexible endoscope having a flexible insertion tube comprising a tubular, biocompatible elastomeric outer covering thereabout which encloses an interior space, the improvement wherein the outer covering is vapor transmissive of oxidative sterilant vapors and wherein the insertion tube further comprises a vapor barrier, which is impermeable by and non-absorptive of oxidative sterilant vapors, between the outer covering and the interior space whereby vapor passing through the outer covering from an atmosphere thereabout is prevented from entering the interior space by the vapor barrier, and further whereby the vapor is thus prevented from interacting with substances within the interior space to produce agents harmful to the elastomeric covering.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A flexible endoscope according to claim 1 wherein the vapor barrier is formed of a material impervious to the vapor phase of sterilizing substances selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, ethylene dioxide, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flexible endoscope according to claim 2 wherein the elastomeric outer covering is formed of polyurethane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A flexible endoscope according to claim 1 wherein the vapor barrier is formed of a material impervious to vapor phase hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flexible endoscope according to claim 4 wherein the elastomeric outer covering is formed of polyurethane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A flexible endoscope according to claim 4 wherein the vapor barrier comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, fluorinated polyolefins, polyvinyldene chloride, polyvinyldene fluoride, and fluro-chloro polymers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A flexible endoscope according to claim 4 wherein the vapor barrier comprises a tubular film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flexible endoscope according to claim 7 wherein the film comprises a polymer coating on an inner surface of the elastomeric outer covering.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A flexible endoscope according to claim 7 wherein the film comprises a polymer co-extruded with the outer covering.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for protecting a biocompatible elastomeric coating on a flexible endoscope insertion tube from the effects of exposing the insertion tube to a sterilizing chemical vapor, the method comprising the steps of: enclosing an interior space of the insertion tube with a tubular, biocompatible elastomeric outer covering which is permeable to the sterilizing chemical vapor; exposing the insertion tube to the sterilizing chemical vapor; and placing a vapor barrier which is impermeable to and non-absorptive of the sterilizing chemical vapor between the outer covering and the interior space, thereby preventing any of the chemical vapor which passes through the outer covering from entering the interior space, whereby the chemical vapor is thus prevented from interacting with substances within the interior space to produce agents harmful to the elastomeric covering.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for protecting a biocompatible elastomeric coating on a flexible endoscope insertion tube from the effects of exposing the insertion tube to a sterilizing chemical vapor, the method comprising the steps of: enclosing an interior space of the insertion tube with a tubular, biocompatible elastomeric outer covering which is permeable to the sterilizing chemical vapor; exposing the insertion tube to the sterilizing chemical vapor; and placing a vapor barrier which is impermeable to and non-absorptive of the sterilizing chemical vapor between the outer covering and the interior space, thereby preventing any of the chemical vapor which passes through the outer covering from entering the interior space, whereby the chemical vapor is thus prevented from interacting with substances within the interior space to produce agents harmful to the elastomeric covering.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein the elastomeric outer covering is formed of polyurethane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein the vapor barrier comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, fluorinated polyolefins, polyvinyldene chloride, polyvinyldene fluoride, and fluoro-chloro polymers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein the vapor barrier is formed as a tubular film.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 13 and further comprising the step of coating a polymer onto an inner surface of the elastomeric outer covering to form the film.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 13 and further comprising the step of co-extruding a polymer with the outer covering to form the film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-01 | 2002-08-31 | 2003-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-01 | 2006-08-31 | 2007-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-01 | 2010-08-31 | 2011-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |