Endoscopic contamination protection system to facilitate cleanin

Details Endoscopic contamination protection system to facilitate cleanin Endoscopic contamination protection system to facilitate cleanin

1994-12-20

1996-05-21

Apley, Richard J.

Surgery

Endoscope

With non-optical distal tip attachment

600121, 600129, 600175, A61B 100

Patent

active

055185010

ABSTRACT:
A coupling cartridge and end cap for protecting an endoscope from contamination during use. The coupling cartridge provides fluid communication between a pair of external fluid conduits and respective channels formed in an endoscope insertion tube, and between a biopsy channel port projecting from the cartridge and an additional insertion tube channel. In one embodiment, fluid flow through the external fluid conduits is controlled by an external fluid control unit that is electrically controlled by respective switches mounted on the control handle of the endoscope. In another embodiment, fluid flow through the external fluid conduits is controlled by a valve mechanism in the coupling cartridge that is controlled by either an actuator on the cartridge or an actuator on the control handle that is mechanically coupled to the valve mechanism. The coupling cartridge may be removed from endoscope after an endoscopic procedure for disposal or rigorous cleaning. The end cap fits onto the distal end of the insertion tube to isolate it from external contamination. A viewing window, an illumination window, and a biopsy channel project from the distal end of the insertion tube and are received by respective apertures formed in the end cap. The projecting components are tightly surrounded by the end cap as they extend through their respective apertures thereby forming a fluid seal to prevent contamination from reaching the distal end of the insertion tube. A fluid nozzle may also be formed in the end cap to receive a washing fluid from a fluid port at the distal end of the insertion tube and direct the fluid onto the surface of the viewing window for cleaning. A protective sheath may be attached to the end cap and cover the insertion tube to also protect the outer surface of the insertion tube from contamination.

REFERENCES:
patent: Re34110 (1992-10-01), Opie et al.
patent: 4646722 (1987-03-01), Silverstein et al.
patent: 4741326 (1988-05-01), Sidall et al.
patent: 4794911 (1989-01-01), Okada
patent: 4825850 (1989-05-01), Opie et al.
patent: 4852551 (1989-08-01), Opie et al.
patent: 4869238 (1989-09-01), Opie et al.
patent: 4907395 (1990-03-01), Opie et al.
patent: 4947827 (1990-08-01), Opie et al.
patent: 4997084 (1991-03-01), Opie et al.
patent: 5025778 (1991-06-01), Silverstein et al.
patent: 5050585 (1991-09-01), Takahashi
patent: 5154164 (1992-10-01), Chikama
patent: 5193525 (1993-03-01), Silverstein et al.
patent: 5201908 (1993-04-01), Jones
patent: 5257617 (1993-11-01), Takahashi

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Endoscopic contamination protection system to facilitate cleanin does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Endoscopic contamination protection system to facilitate cleanin, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Endoscopic contamination protection system to facilitate cleanin will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2034662