Endoscope
US6146326A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S600/92
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An endoscope contains no adhesives, epoxies, or other organic materials. The endoscope includes a set of lenses held in position by cylindrical spacers. A pair of windows seal the ends of the endoscope, and prevent the lenses and spacers from falling out. The windows are brazed to the endoscope. Due to the use of brazing, no adhesives are needed to hold the lenses or windows in place. Thus, one can sterilize the endoscope in the high temperature environment of an autoclave, without risking damage to the optical components. The brazing produces a hermetic seal which enables the endoscope to function properly in an environment of high temperature or high pressure, or in chemically abusive environments.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.