Flexible endoscope with rigid introducer
US5127393A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 28, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 28, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/0662
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
To facilitate certain surgical procedures, a flexible endoscope may more readily be passed through body vessels and tubular organs, especially when those organs assume a tortuous path. However, a difficulty arises in steering a flexible endoscope through internal body orifices. In accordance with the present invention, a rigid introducer is used in combination with the flexible endoscope to facilitate targeting of such an orifice and once the distal end of the introducer is made to enter the orifice, the flexible endoscope can be advanced through the introducer and there beyond to the point in the body where an item of interest is to be viewed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.