Transesophageal endoscope with improved bite-through protection
US6921363B2 · kind B2 · utility
7Cited by
11References
18Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 26, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 3, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/12
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A transesophageal probe shaft has a cover which is formed by a plurality of separate layers joined by a pressure sensitive adhesive. In a preferred embodiment the cover forms the outer cover of an articulating section of the probe. The layers are chosen to be thin enough so that the stiffness of the cover does not significantly restrain the bending of the articulating section. The adhesive viscosity is chosen to enable the joined layers to be able to move relative to each other as the probe is bent, and to be able to flow to fill any small cut in the cover caused by biting through the cover.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.