Protective endoscope sheath and method of installing same
US4646722A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 1984 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/12
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An endoscope sheath having a flexible tube surrounding the elongated core of an endoscope. The flexible tube has a transparent window near its distal end positioned in front of the viewing window of the endoscope. Channels for taking biopsies, injecting air or injecting water to wash the window of the sheath may extend along the endoscope, either inside or outside the sheath. Where the channels are positioned inside the sheath, they may be inserted in a longitudinal groove formed in the endoscope core. The protective sheath may be used with either end-viewing endoscopes or side-viewing endoscopes. In the latter case, the channel for taking biopsies extends through an elongated elastomeric membrane so that a catheter through the biopsy channel may be moved longitudinally by manipulation of an elevator. The protective sheath may be installed by rolling the elastomeric tube into an annular configuration and then unrolling the tube over the core of the endoscope. Alternatively, the tube may be inflated in its unrolled configuration to expand the tube and allow it to be easily slipped onto the endoscope core. A variety of specialized endoscopes may be created by using protective sheaths…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.