Endoscopic sheath assemblies having longitudinal expansion inhibiting mechanisms
US6793661B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 11, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/1011
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for inhibiting longitudinal expansion of a body portion of an endoscopic sheath during inflation of an inflatable member are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sheath assembly includes a body portion adapted to encapsulate a distal end of an insertion tube, and an inflatable member coupled to the body portion and adapted to be inflated radially outwardly from the body portion. The sheath assembly further includes an expansion-inhibiting mechanism coupled to at least one of the inflatable member and the body portion. The expansion-inhibiting mechanism advantageously inhibits a longitudinal expansion of the body portion during inflation of the inflatable member. The expansion-inhibiting mechanism may assume a variety of embodiments, including, for example, a non-compliant member, a longitudinally-stretched portion, a reinforcing spring member, a pressure relief device, or a suitable detent mechanism.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.