Patent US1709865A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6126592A
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Endoscope cleaning and irrigation sheath
Assignee: Gyrus Ent LLC
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Filing: 1998-09-12
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Granted: 2000-10-03
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Expires: 2018-09-12
Abstract
Abstract An improved disposable sheath for a medical endoscope of the type that includes an elongated bundle of optical fibers for viewing an internal surgical site, the endoscope including a distal tip adapted to transmit images from the surgical site through the fibers. The improved sheath having an elongated housing with proximal and distal ends in which the distal end has top and bottom portions. A first opening extends through the housing for receiving the endoscope and a second opening extends though the housing for transmitting fluid through the housing. The proximal end of the housing is adapted to secure the housing relative to the endoscope and to connect the second opening to a source of fluid. The first opening is unobstructed at the distal end of the housing to allow the distal tip of the endoscope to project past the top portion of the distal end. The bottom portion of the housing distal end extends beyond the distal tip of the endoscope. The second opening of the housing extends through the bottom portion of the housing distal end so that fluid flowing out of the second opening will clean the distal tip of the endoscope.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis S. Proch
- 👤 Patrick Ireland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00091; A61B1/00142; A61B1/12; A61B1/127; A61B1/126; A61B90/00; A61B90/70; A61B2090/701
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An improved disposable sheath for use in combination with a endoscope of the type that includes an elongated bundle of optical fibers for viewing an internal surgical site, the endoscope including a distal tip adapted to transmit images from the surgical site through the fibers, the improved sheath comprising: a. an elongated housing with proximal and distal ends; b. a first opening extending through the housing for receiving an endoscope; c. a second opening extending though the housing configured for an inflow and outflow of fluid through the housing; d. the proximal end of the housing being adapted to secure the housing relative to an endoscope and connect the second opening to a source of fluid; e. the distal end having top and bottom portions; f. the first opening being unobstructed at the distal end of the housing to allow an endoscope's distal tip to project past the top potion of the housing distal end; g. the bottom portion of the housing distal end extending beyond an endoscope's distal tip; h. the second opening extending through the bottom portion of the housing distal end so that fluid flowing out of the second opening will clean an endoscope's distal tip, project a fluid stream into the surgical view and provide for the inflow of fluid from a surgical site.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
An improved disposable sheath for use in combination with a endoscope of the type that includes an elongated bundle of optical fibers for viewing an internal surgical site, the endoscope including a distal tip adapted to transmit images from the surgical site through the fibers, the improved sheath comprising: a. an elongated housing with proximal and distal ends; b. a first opening extending through the housing for receiving an endoscope; c. a second opening extending though the housing configured for an inflow and outflow of fluid through the housing; d. the proximal end of the housing being adapted to secure the housing relative to an endoscope and connect the second opening to a source of fluid; e. the distal end having top and bottom portions; f. the first opening being unobstructed at the distal end of the housing to allow an endoscope's distal tip to project past the top potion of the housing distal end; g. the bottom portion of the housing distal end extending beyond an endoscope's distal tip; h. the second opening extending through the bottom portion of the housing distal end so that fluid flowing out of the second opening will clean an endoscope's distal tip, project a fluid stream into the surgical view and provide for the inflow of fluid from a surgical site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved sheath of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed of single piece of a sterilizable polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improved sheath of claim 1, wherein the first and second openings extend parallel to each through the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improved sheath of claim 1, wherein the first opening is generally round in cross section and the second opening is generally arc-shaped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improved sheath of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the housing is beveled so the top and bottom portions define opposed ends of the bevel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improved sheath of claim 5, wherein the distal end of the housing is beveled at about 45 degrees.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improved sheath of claim 5, wherein the distal end of the housing is beveled at about 30 degrees.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improved sheath of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the distal end of the housing is scoop shaped and extends over an endoscope's distal tip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improved sheath of claim 1, wherein the top portion includes a beveled end extending toward the bottom portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improved sheath of claim 1, further including a lock on the proximal end for locking the housing to an endoscope.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improved sheath of claim 10, and further including a hand grip on the proximal end of the housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improved sheath of claim 1, wherein the reversible pump is connected to a mechanism that allows for the selective directional controlling of the fluid flow through the second 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) | 2003-10-03 | 2004-04-03 | 2004-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-03 | 2008-04-03 | 2008-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-03 | 2012-04-03 | 2012-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |