Patent US5984860A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5984860A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pass-through duodenal enteroscopic device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1998-03-25
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Granted: 1999-11-16
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Expires: 2018-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A pass-through duodenal enteroscopic device utilizes the natural contraction wave of the small intestine to propel the device through the small intestine at about the same speed as any other object therein. The exterior of the device is streamlined over the greater portion thereof with a video camera and illumination source at the forward end of the device. Covering the camera lens and illumination source is a transparent inflatable balloon adapted to gently expand the small intestine immediately forward the camera for better viewing. A small diameter communication and power cable is wound within the device and unwinds through an aperture in the rear of the device as the device moves through the small intestine. Upon completion of movement through the small intestine the cable is automatically separated from the device permitting the cable to be withdrawn through the stomach and intestine. The device continues through the large intestine and passes from the patient through the rectum.
Inventors
- 👤 Yansong Shan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/04; A61B1/041; A61B1/313; A61B1/3132; A61B1/05; A61B1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An enteroscope comprising a generally oblong body having a viewing end and a tail end, said viewing end having camera means and illumination means adapted to view and illuminate a small intestine interior, a cable storable in the body and adapted to unreel as the body moves through the small intestine, said cable enclosing electrical means connected to the body, and said body sized and shaped for movement through the small intestine in response to the natural wave of the small intestine in moving objects therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An enteroscope comprising a generally oblong body having a viewing end and a tail end, said viewing end having camera means and illumination means adapted to view and illuminate a small intestine interior, a cable storable in the body and adapted to unreel as the body moves through the small intestine, said cable enclosing electrical means connected to the body, and said body sized and shaped for movement through the small intestine in response to the natural wave of the small intestine in moving objects therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The enteroscope of claim 1 including an inflatable transparent membrane covering at least a portion of the viewing end of the body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The enteroscope of claim 2 including means on the body to inflate and deflate the membrane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The enteroscope of claim 2 including tubular means connectable to the body to inflate the membrane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The enteroscope of claim 4 wherein the tubular means is adapted to release the body for movement through the small intestine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The enteroscope of claim 2 wherein the camera means is covered by the membrane and adapted to gather light transmitted through the membrane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The enteroscope of claim 6 wherein the illumination means is covered by the membrane and adapted to transmit light through the membrane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The enteroscope of claim 1 including automatic coupling means engageable to prevent unreeling of the cable in response to misalignment of the body in the small intestine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The enteroscope of claim 2 including automatic termination means adapted to cause deflation of the membrane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The enteroscope of claim 1 including automatic termination means adapted to detach the cable upon completion of viewing of the small intestine.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
100 words
The method of inspecting the interior of the small intestine comprising the steps of: placing a body having a video camera and illumination means therein at the entrance to the small intestine, allowing the entire body to be propelled through the small intestine in response to the natural contraction wave of the small intestine, viewing the interior of the small intestine as the entire body proceeds through the small intestine in response to the natural contraction wave of the small intestine and terminating viewing by the video camera and allowing the body to pass into and through the large intestine.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
100 words
The method of inspecting the interior of the small intestine comprising the steps of: placing a body having a video camera and illumination means therein at the entrance to the small intestine, allowing the entire body to be propelled through the small intestine in response to the natural contraction wave of the small intestine, viewing the interior of the small intestine as the entire body proceeds through the small intestine in response to the natural contraction wave of the small intestine and terminating viewing by the video camera and allowing the body to pass into and through the large intestine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 wherein viewing of the small intestine proceeds through the entire length of the small intestine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 wherein viewing is terminated by automatic means on the body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11 wherein misalignment events occurring during movement of the body through the small intestine are corrected by automatic coupling means engaged in response to the misalignment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 including temporary expansion of the interior region of the small intestine viewable by the video camera.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the expanded interior region of the small intestine is viewed through the expansion means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
85 words
An enteroscope comprising a generally oblong body having a viewing end and a tail end, said viewing end having camera means and illumination means adapted to view and illuminate a small intestine interior, an inflatable transparent membrane covering at least a portion of the viewing end of the body, said body shaped and sized for movement through the small intestine in response to the natural wave of the small intestine in moving objects therethrough, and automatic termination means adapted to cause deflation of the membrane.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
85 words
An enteroscope comprising a generally oblong body having a viewing end and a tail end, said viewing end having camera means and illumination means adapted to view and illuminate a small intestine interior, an inflatable transparent membrane covering at least a portion of the viewing end of the body, said body shaped and sized for movement through the small intestine in response to the natural wave of the small intestine in moving objects therethrough, and automatic termination means adapted to cause deflation of the membrane.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The enteroscope of claim 17 including means on the body to inflate and deflate the membrane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The enteroscope of claim 18 wherein the camera means is covered by the membrane and adapted to gather light transmitted through the membrane.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The enteroscope of claim 18 wherein the illumination means is covered by the membrane and adapted to transmit light through the membrane.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
91 words
An enteroscope comprising a generally oblong body having a viewing end and a tail end, said viewing end having camera means and illumination means adapted to view and illuminate a small intestine interior, said tail end having a cable attached thereto, said body shaped and sized for movement of the entire body including the tail end through the small intestine in response to the natural wave of the small intestine in moving objects therethrough, and automatic termination means adapted to detach the cable upon completion of viewing of the small intestine.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
91 words
An enteroscope comprising a generally oblong body having a viewing end and a tail end, said viewing end having camera means and illumination means adapted to view and illuminate a small intestine interior, said tail end having a cable attached thereto, said body shaped and sized for movement of the entire body including the tail end through the small intestine in response to the natural wave of the small intestine in moving objects therethrough, and automatic termination means adapted to detach the cable upon completion of viewing of the small intestine.
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) | 2002-11-15 | 2003-05-17 | 2003-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-15 | 2007-05-17 | 2007-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-15 | 2011-05-17 | 2011-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |