Disposable surgical scope guide
US4779611A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 1987 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/015
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A medical scope guide allows internal body tissues to be viewed. The scope guide includes an elongated hollow tube having opposite inner and outer ends, and a transparent inflatable balloon secured to the inner end of the tube. The outer end of the tube is sealable and is adapted to slidably receive a scope device which extends through the tube and into the balloon. Air can be introduced and released through the tube into and from the balloon for inflating and deflating the balloon. In order to view the internal body tissues, a surgical incision is made in the body of the patient and the scope guide is inserted through the incision such that the inner end of the tube is located within the body and the outer end of the tube is located outside the body. The scope is inserted through the tube and into the balloon and the balloon is inflated so as to engage the body tissues to be observed. The body tissues are viewed with the scope device, which is removed from the scope guide when viewing is completed. The scope guide can remain in position in the body for later viewing of the tissues.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.