Patent · US Expired

Continuous flow urological endoscopic apparatus and method of using same

US4423727A · kind A · utility

88Cited by
11References
11Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 10, 1981
Grant dateJan 3, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 10, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B1/12
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A continuous flow urological endoscopic apparatus includes an endoscope having a reciprocatively-mounted treating device mounted within a sheath thereof. Pump devices establish continuous flow of fluid into and out of the interior of the body cavity to be treated via delivery and return conduits, respectively. According to one aspect of the invention, the return conduit inlet is positioned near the outermost protracted position of the treating device so that the flow of fluid is away from the objective lens of a telescope mounted within the endoscope, thereby enhancing visibility greatly. According to another aspect of the invention, a pressure sensing device is mounted within the sheath for detecting fluid pressure within the body cavity, and an electric conductor conveys signals indicative of such internal pressure within the body cavity, for safety purposes. A control circuit responds to the signals for de-activating the pump device when the fluid pressure within the body cavity exceeds a predetermined unsafe value of pressure.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.