Sheath for protecting and altering the bending characteristics of a flexible endoscope
US6174280A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/00946
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sheath for use with an endoscope having a flexible insertion tube to isolate at least a portion of the insertion tube from an external environment, and to alter the bending characteristics of at least a portion of the insertion tube, is shown and described. The sheath includes a compliant tube and an elongated shape-retaining member attached to the compliant tube. The compliant tube has a proximal end having an interior area configured to receive a first portion of the flexible insertion tube. The shape-retaining member extends axially along a second portion of the flexible insertion tube when the first portion of the flexible insertion tube is positioned in the interior area of the compliant tube. The shape-retaining member is sufficiently stiff to remain in a selected shape or position, and to retain the second portion of the flexible insertion tube in the selected shape or position. The shape-retaining member in one embodiment is rigid, and in another embodiment is sufficiently bendable to allow the operator to conform the insertion tube to other selected shapes or positions. In another alternate embodiment, the sheath has a rigid, shape-retaining member along a first portion …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.