US6503193B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible tube for endoscope
Assignee: Hoya Corp
•
Filing: 2000-04-13
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Granted: 2003-01-07
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Expires: 2020-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A flexible tube for an endoscope is provided with an outer tube member. A synthetic resin layer is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the outer tube member. A coating layer is further formed on the outer circumferential surface of the synthetic resin layer. The outer circumferential surface of the synthetic resin layer is provided with at least one groove or protrusion.
Inventors
- 👤 Tomoko Iwasaki
- 👤 Kenichi Ohara
- 👤 Akira Sugiyama
- 👤 Naoya Ouchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0043; A61M25/0045; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0023; A61M25/0026; A61M2025/0036; A61M2025/004; A61M2025/006; A61M25/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope, having an outer tube member, a synthetic resin layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said outer tube member, a coating layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer being provided with at least one groove which extends substantially parallel with an axis of said outer tube member, and an inner surface of said coating layer contacting at least a portion of said at least one groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope, having an outer tube member, a synthetic resin layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said outer tube member, a coating layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer being provided with at least one groove which extends substantially parallel with an axis of said outer tube member, and an inner surface of said coating layer contacting at least a portion of said at least one groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flexible tube according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one groove is provided over substantially an entire length of said flexible tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flexible tube according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flexible tube according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one groove is formed helically on said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flexible tube according to claim 1 , wherein said inner surface of said coating layer is bonded to at least a portion of said at least one groove.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The flexible tube according to claim 1 , wherein said coating layer is substantially resistant to chemicals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The flexible tube according to claim 6 , wherein the chemicals are disinfectants.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope, having an outer tube member, a synthetic resin layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said outer tube member, a coating layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer being provided with at least one protrusion which extends substantially parallel with an axis of said outer tube member, and an inner surface of said coating layer contacting at least a portion of a region adjacent to said at least one protrusion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope, having an outer tube member, a synthetic resin layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said outer tube member, a coating layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer being provided with at least one protrusion which extends substantially parallel with an axis of said outer tube member, and an inner surface of said coating layer contacting at least a portion of a region adjacent to said at least one protrusion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flexible tube according to claim 8 , wherein said at least one protrusion is provided over substantially an entire length of said flexible tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flexible tube according to claim 8 , wherein said at least one protrusion comprises a plurality of protrusions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flexible tube according to claim 8 , wherein said at least one protrusion is formed helically on said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The flexible tube according to claim 8 , wherein said inner surface of said coating layer is bonded to at least a portion of a region adjacent to said at least one protrusion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The flexible tube according to claim 8 , wherein said coating layer is substantially resistant to chemicals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The flexible tube according to claim 13 , wherein the chemicals are disinfectants.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
111 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising: an outer tube member; a synthetic resin layer on an outer circumferential surface of said outer tube member, said synthetic resin layer having an outer circumferential surface; at least one groove and at least one protrusion on said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, at least one of said at least one groove and said at least one protrusion extending substantially parallel with an axis of said outer tube member; and a coating layer on said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, an inner surface of said coating layer contacting at least a portion of said at least one groove.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
111 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising: an outer tube member; a synthetic resin layer on an outer circumferential surface of said outer tube member, said synthetic resin layer having an outer circumferential surface; at least one groove and at least one protrusion on said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, at least one of said at least one groove and said at least one protrusion extending substantially parallel with an axis of said outer tube member; and a coating layer on said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, an inner surface of said coating layer contacting at least a portion of said at least one groove.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flexible tube according to claim 15 , wherein said inner surface of said coating layer is bonded to at least a portion of said at least one groove.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The flexible tube according to claim 15 , wherein said coating layer is resistant to chemicals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The flexible tube according to claim 17 , wherein the chemicals are disinfectants.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
90 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising: an outer tube member; a synthetic resin layer on an outer circumferential surface of said outer tube member, said synthetic resin layer having an outer circumferential surface; at least one groove which extends substantially parallel with an axis of said outer tube member and positioned on said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer; and a coating layer on said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, an inner surface of said coating layer protruding into said at least one groove.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
90 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising: an outer tube member; a synthetic resin layer on an outer circumferential surface of said outer tube member, said synthetic resin layer having an outer circumferential surface; at least one groove which extends substantially parallel with an axis of said outer tube member and positioned on said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer; and a coating layer on said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, an inner surface of said coating layer protruding into said at least one groove.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flexible tube according to claim 19 , wherein said inner surface of said coating layer is bonded to at least a portion of said at least one groove.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The flexible tube according to claim 19 , wherein said coating layer is substantially resistant to chemicals.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
79 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope, having an outer tube member, a synthetic resin layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said outer tube member, a substantially disinfectant-resistant coating layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer being provided with at least one groove, and an inner surface of said coating layer contacting at least a portion of said at least one groove.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
79 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope, having an outer tube member, a synthetic resin layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said outer tube member, a substantially disinfectant-resistant coating layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer being provided with at least one groove, and an inner surface of said coating layer contacting at least a portion of said at least one groove.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
83 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope, having an outer tube member, a synthetic resin layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said outer tube member, a substantially disinfectant-resistant coating layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer being provided with at least one protrusion, and an inner surface of said coating layer contacting at least a portion of a region adjacent to said at least one protrusion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
83 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope, having an outer tube member, a synthetic resin layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said outer tube member, a substantially disinfectant-resistant coating layer being formed on an outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer being provided with at least one protrusion, and an inner surface of said coating layer contacting at least a portion of a region adjacent to said at least one protrusion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
87 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising: an outer tube member; a synthetic resin layer on an outer circumferential surface of said outer tube member, said synthetic resin layer having an outer circumferential surface; at least one groove and at least one protrusion on said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer; and a substantially disinfectant-resistant coating layer on said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, an inner surface of said coating layer contacting at least a portion of said at least one groove.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
87 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope, comprising: an outer tube member; a synthetic resin layer on an outer circumferential surface of said outer tube member, said synthetic resin layer having an outer circumferential surface; at least one groove and at least one protrusion on said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer; and a substantially disinfectant-resistant coating layer on said outer circumferential surface of said synthetic resin layer, an inner surface of said coating layer contacting at least a portion of said at least one groove.
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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) | 2006-01-06 | 2006-07-08 | 2007-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-06 | 2010-07-08 | 2011-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-06 | 2014-07-08 | 2015-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |