Inflatable member for an endoscope sheath
US6461294B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 17, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/1011
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for attaching and forming enclosed inflatable members on an endoscope assembly with a disposable sheath are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a flexible and resilient cuff member that is positioned on the outer surface of the disposable sheath and sealably and fixedly bonded to the sheath cover material at the cuff edges to form an annular space capable of being inflated. The inflatable member formed thereby is inflated through a lumen internal to the sheath that has an opening into the interior annular space. In another embodiment, the annular space may be divided into separate inflatable lobes. In still another embodiment, the cuff member is a flexible and resilient member that is substantially toroidal in shape that is positioned on the outer surface of the sheath. In a further embodiment, the inflatable member is formed from an excess length of sheath cover material disposed on the disposable sheath. A single reentrant fold of sheath material is formed with an edge that is sealably and fixedly bonded to the sheath cover material to form an annular space capable of inflation. In alternate embodiments, the excess length of cover material ma…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.