Endoscope pressure equalization system and method

US5634880A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Johnson & Johnson Medical GMBH · US

Inventors

• Leslie A. Feldman · Craydon Court, US
• Henry K. Hui · Laguna Niguel, US
• Reinhard Kowatsch · Hamburg, DE
• Tsutomu Hayashida · Yokohama, JP
• Michael Hahs · San Clemente, US
• Charles Howlett · Laguna Beach, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 22, 1995
• Grant date: Jun 3, 1997
• Expiry date: May 22, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16K17/30
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A pressure equalization device connects to a port on an endoscope and equalizes the pressure within the endoscope to an environment thereabout. An outlet check valve allows flow out of the port and blocks flow into the port. A filter may be provided for preventing known chemical agents from entering the port. If the agent is hydrogen peroxide, the filter preferably comprises a catalyst, such as copper wool, for decomposing the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. An inlet check valve may also be provided to communicate with the endoscope port and allow flow into the port in response to a downstream pressure gradient exceeding a predetermined value.