US5938587A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible inner liner for the working channel of an endoscope
Assignee: Confluent Medical Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1996-11-07
•
Granted: 1999-08-17
•
Expires: 2016-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A tubular member useful as an inner liner for the working channel of a flexible endoscope has a distal portion which is specially treated to make it highly flexible and resistant to kinking or collapsing when it bends with the flexible section of the endoscope. The tubular member is also useful as a catheter device or as a component of a catheter device or catheter system. A multiplicity of external ridges on the distal portion of the tubular member reinforce the tubing wall and prevent kinking or buckling of the wall or collapsing of the inner lumen. The external ridges may be formed by convolutions of the tubing wall or by external threads which are formed on the exterior of the tubing wall within the flexible distal portion. An outer helical reinforcing coil may be added between the external ridges to further reinforce the flexible distal portion of the tubular member from kinking or collapsing. The flexible distal portion of the tubular member may be coated with a layer of a flexible polymer to fill in the spaces between the external ridges and to cover the helical reinforcing coil. Manufacturing methods for the tubular member are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Taylor
- 👤 Phil Pesta
- 👤 Will Dubrul
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/012; A61B1/018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A collapse-resistant and kink-resistant, flexible tubing construction comprising: a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, said tubular member having a tubular wall having a generally smooth interior surface surrounding said at least one lumen, said tubular member having a wall thickness, at least a first portion of said tubular member having a multiplicity of external ridges for allowing said first portion of said tubular member to flex without kinking or buckling of said tubular wall and without collapsing said at least one lumen, said multiplicity of external ridges being formed by varying said wall thickness.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A collapse-resistant and kink-resistant, flexible tubing construction comprising: a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, said tubular member having a tubular wall having a generally smooth interior surface surrounding said at least one lumen, said tubular member having a wall thickness, at least a first portion of said tubular member having a multiplicity of external ridges for allowing said first portion of said tubular member to flex without kinking or buckling of said tubular wall and without collapsing said at least one lumen, said multiplicity of external ridges being formed by varying said wall thickness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tubing construction of claim 1 wherein said first portion of said tubular member has external troughs and wherein said external troughs are filled with a soft, flexible material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tubing construction of claim 3 wherein said multiplicity of external ridges are formed by sequential turns of at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall within said first portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tubing construction of claim 3 wherein said at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall is formed by at least one external helical thread integrally formed with said tubular wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tubing construction of claim 4 wherein said external helical thread has a semicircular profile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tubing construction of claim 3 further comprising a helical reinforcing member positioned within an external trough between subsequent turns of said at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tubing construction of claim 6 wherein said helical reinforcing member has an approximately rectangular cross section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tubing construction of claim 6 wherein said external trough between subsequent turns of said at least one helical external ridge is filled with a soft, flexible material covering said helical reinforcing member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tubing construction of claim 1 wherein said tubular member further comprises a relatively inflexible second portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The tubing construction of claim 9 wherein said first portion of said tubular member has a first internal diameter and said second portion of said tubular member has a second internal diameter, said first internal diameter being approximately equal to said second internal diameter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The tubing construction of claim 10 wherein said first portion of said tubular member has a first external diameter and said second portion of said tubular member has a second external diameter, said first external diameter being approximately equal to said second external diameter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
123 words
In combination: an endoscope or borescope having at least one scope lumen extending therethrough; and a tubular member positioned within said scope lumen, said tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one internal lumen having a generally smooth interior surface extending therebetween, said tubular member having a tubular wall surrounding said at least one internal lumen, said tubular member having a wall thickness, at least a first portion of said tubular member having multiplicity of external ridges for allowing said first portion of said tubular member to flex without kinking or buckling of said tubular wall and without collapsing said at least one internal lumen, said multiplicity of external ridges being formed by varying said wall thickness.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
123 words
In combination: an endoscope or borescope having at least one scope lumen extending therethrough; and a tubular member positioned within said scope lumen, said tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one internal lumen having a generally smooth interior surface extending therebetween, said tubular member having a tubular wall surrounding said at least one internal lumen, said tubular member having a wall thickness, at least a first portion of said tubular member having multiplicity of external ridges for allowing said first portion of said tubular member to flex without kinking or buckling of said tubular wall and without collapsing said at least one internal lumen, said multiplicity of external ridges being formed by varying said wall thickness.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 12 wherein said first portion of said tubular member has external troughs and wherein said external troughs are filled with a soft, flexible material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 14 wherein said multiplicity of external ridges are formed by sequential turns of at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall within said first portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 14 further comprising a helical reinforcing member positioned within an external trough between subsequent turns of said at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 15 wherein said external trough between subsequent turns of said at least one helical external ridge is filled with a soft, flexible material covering said helical reinforcing member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 12 wherein said tubular member further comprises a relatively inflexible second portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tubing construction of claim 2 wherein said tubular member has a generally smooth exterior surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tubing construction of claim 8 wherein said tubular member has a generally smooth exterior surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tubing construction of claim 1 wherein said multiplicity of external ridges has a spacing between adjacent ridges and wherein said spacing is approximately equal along said first portion of said tubular member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tubing construction of claim 13 wherein said tubular member has a generally smooth exterior surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
128 words
A collapse-resistant and kink-resistant, flexible tubing construction comprising: a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, said tubular member having a tubular wall having a generally smooth interior surface surrounding said at least one lumen, at least a first portion of said tubular member having a multiplicity of external ridges for allowing said first portion of said tubular member to flex without kinking or buckling of said tubular wall and without collapsing said at least one lumen, wherein said tubular member has a wall thickness and wherein said multiplicity of external ridges are formed by varying said wall thickness and by sequential turns of at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall within said first portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
128 words
A collapse-resistant and kink-resistant, flexible tubing construction comprising: a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, said tubular member having a tubular wall having a generally smooth interior surface surrounding said at least one lumen, at least a first portion of said tubular member having a multiplicity of external ridges for allowing said first portion of said tubular member to flex without kinking or buckling of said tubular wall and without collapsing said at least one lumen, wherein said tubular member has a wall thickness and wherein said multiplicity of external ridges are formed by varying said wall thickness and by sequential turns of at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall within said first portion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tubing construction of claim 22 wherein said first portion of said tubular member has external troughs and wherein said external troughs are filled with a soft, flexible material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tubing construction of claim 22 wherein said at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall is formed by at least one external helical thread integrally formed with said tubular wall.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tubing construction of claim 22 further comprising a helical reinforcing member positioned within an external trough between subsequent turns of said at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tubing construction of claim 25 wherein said helical reinforcing member has an approximately rectangular cross section.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tubing construction of claim 25 wherein said external trough between subsequent turns of said at least one helical external ridge is filled with a soft, flexible material covering said helical reinforcing member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
123 words
A collapse-resistant and kink-resistant, flexible tubing construction consisting of: a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, said tubular member having a tubular wall surrounding said at least one lumen, at least a first portion of said tubular member having a multiplicity of external ridges for allowing said first portion of said tubular member to flex without kinking or buckling of said tubular wall and without collapsing said at least one lumen, wherein said tubular member has a wall thickness and wherein said multiplicity of external ridges are formed by varying said wall thickness and by sequential turns of at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall within said first portion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
123 words
A collapse-resistant and kink-resistant, flexible tubing construction consisting of: a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, said tubular member having a tubular wall surrounding said at least one lumen, at least a first portion of said tubular member having a multiplicity of external ridges for allowing said first portion of said tubular member to flex without kinking or buckling of said tubular wall and without collapsing said at least one lumen, wherein said tubular member has a wall thickness and wherein said multiplicity of external ridges are formed by varying said wall thickness and by sequential turns of at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall within said first portion.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tubing construction of claim 28 wherein an interior surface of said tubular wall is generally smooth.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
149 words
A collapse-resistant and kink-resistant, flexible tubing construction consisting of: a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, said tubular member having a tubular wall surrounding said at least one lumen, at least a first portion of said tubular member having a multiplicity of external ridges for allowing said first portion of said tubular member to flex without kinking or buckling of said tubular wall and without collapsing said at least one lumen, wherein said tubular member has a wall thickness and wherein said multiplicity of external ridges are formed by varying said wall thickness and by sequential turns of at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall within said first portion, and wherein said at least one helical external ridge forms external troughs on said tubular member, said external troughs being filled with a soft, flexible material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
149 words
A collapse-resistant and kink-resistant, flexible tubing construction consisting of: a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, said tubular member having a tubular wall surrounding said at least one lumen, at least a first portion of said tubular member having a multiplicity of external ridges for allowing said first portion of said tubular member to flex without kinking or buckling of said tubular wall and without collapsing said at least one lumen, wherein said tubular member has a wall thickness and wherein said multiplicity of external ridges are formed by varying said wall thickness and by sequential turns of at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall within said first portion, and wherein said at least one helical external ridge forms external troughs on said tubular member, said external troughs being filled with a soft, flexible material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
148 words
A collapse-resistant and kink-resistant, flexible tubing construction consisting of: a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, said tubular member having a tubular wall surrounding said at least one lumen, at least a first portion of said tubular member having a multiplicity of external ridges for allowing said first portion of said tubular member to flex without kinking or buckling of said tubular wall and without collapsing said at least one lumen, wherein said tubular member has a wall thickness and wherein said multiplicity of external ridges are formed by varying said wall thickness and by sequential turns of at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall within said first portion, and a helical reinforcing member positioned within an external trough between subsequent turns of said at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
148 words
A collapse-resistant and kink-resistant, flexible tubing construction consisting of: a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, said tubular member having a tubular wall surrounding said at least one lumen, at least a first portion of said tubular member having a multiplicity of external ridges for allowing said first portion of said tubular member to flex without kinking or buckling of said tubular wall and without collapsing said at least one lumen, wherein said tubular member has a wall thickness and wherein said multiplicity of external ridges are formed by varying said wall thickness and by sequential turns of at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall within said first portion, and a helical reinforcing member positioned within an external trough between subsequent turns of said at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
169 words
A collapse-resistant and kink-resistant, flexible tubing construction consisting of: a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, said tubular member having a tubular wall surrounding said at least one lumen, at least a first portion of said tubular member having a multiplicity of external ridges for allowing said first portion of said tubular member to flex without kinking or buckling of said tubular wall and without collapsing said at least one lumen, wherein said tubular member has a wall thickness and wherein said multiplicity of external ridges are formed by varying said wall thickness and by sequential turns of at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall within said first portion, and a helical reinforcing member positioned within an external trough between subsequent turns of said at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall, and wherein said external troughs on said tubular member are filled with a soft, flexible material covering said helical reinforcing member.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
169 words
A collapse-resistant and kink-resistant, flexible tubing construction consisting of: a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, said tubular member having a tubular wall surrounding said at least one lumen, at least a first portion of said tubular member having a multiplicity of external ridges for allowing said first portion of said tubular member to flex without kinking or buckling of said tubular wall and without collapsing said at least one lumen, wherein said tubular member has a wall thickness and wherein said multiplicity of external ridges are formed by varying said wall thickness and by sequential turns of at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall within said first portion, and a helical reinforcing member positioned within an external trough between subsequent turns of said at least one helical external ridge on said tubular wall, and wherein said external troughs on said tubular member are filled with a soft, flexible material covering said helical reinforcing member.
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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) | 2002-08-16 | 2003-02-15 | 2003-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-16 | 2007-02-15 | 2007-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-16 | 2011-02-15 | 2011-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |