Surgery – Endoscope – With non-optical distal tip attachment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-16
2001-10-23
Dvorak, Linda C. M. (Department: 3739)
Surgery
Endoscope
With non-optical distal tip attachment
C600S115000, C600S116000, C604S096010, C604S102020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306081
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hood for an endoscope which is mounted on a distal end portion of an insertion section of the endoscope.
In the observation and surgical operation of the body cavity of a patient using direct-viewing type endoscope, an observation space and operation field have to be secured with an endoscope's hood attached to the distal end portion of an insertion section of the endoscope when the observation space and operation field in particular are narrower in a location such as the esophagus and duodinal bulb.
In a location, such as the stomach, where a broader observation space and operation field can be secured, the endoscope's hood attached to the distal end portion of the insertion section of the endoscope shades or blocks the observation space and operation field and it is difficult to perform proper procedure due to the presence of such a hood. It may be considered that, in such a case, a hood need be removed from the endoscope. At that time, the endoscope's hood has to be withdrawn out of the body cavity and removed from the endoscope, thus involving a cumbersome operation and more operation time. This gives an excessive burden to the operator and to the patient.
As shown in JPN UM APPLN KOKAI PUBLICATION NO. 55-19682, a hood unit has been proposed comprising a hood slidably mounted on the distal end portion of the insertion section of the endoscope, a spring means for urging the hood in an extending direction, a retaining mechanism for retaining the hood in a retracted position against the action of the spring means, and a string-like wire for releasing the retainment of the hood by the retaining mechanism, whereby the visual angle can be changed by moving the hood. Such a slidable system requires a mechanism for slidably moving the hood, a mechanism for retaining the hood in a retracted position, a retainment-releasing operation mechanism, etc., thus complicating the structure at a distal end portion of the endoscope.
JPN PAT APPLN KOKAI PUBLICATION NO. 9-66019 has proposed an endoscope having a hood at a distal end portion of an insertion section and a high-frequency snare wire anchored to the outer peripheral portion of the hood. The endoscope's hood in this case is fixedly mounted on the distal end portion of the insertion section. For this reason, the visual field is shaded at all times by a projected hood, thus lowering the observation capability.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is directed to, as required, secure a visual field using a hood, to prevent the shading of the visual field and enhance an observation capability and treating capability in accordance with the situations involved. The object of the present invention is achieved by an endoscope's hood as will be set out below.
That is, the present invention provides a hood mounted at and near a distal end portion of an insertion section of an endoscope, in which the hood has an annular balloon adapted to be expanded into a substantially cylindrical configuration by injecting a fluid and to be contracted by discharging the fluid.
The visual field can be secured using the hood expanding the balloon, and by contracting the balloon it is possible to prevent the visual field from being shaded by the hood. As a result it is possible to use the endoscope's hood in an optimal state according to the situation in which it is used. It is thus possible to enhance an observation capability and a processing capability.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3833004 (1974-09-01), Vazquez et al.
patent: 3866599 (1975-02-01), Johnson
patent: 4284081 (1981-08-01), Kasper et al.
patent: 4681093 (1987-07-01), Ono et al.
patent: 4961738 (1990-10-01), Mackin
patent: 5725545 (1998-03-01), Bircoll
patent: 5897487 (1999-04-01), Ouchi
patent: 5915383 (1999-06-01), Pagan
patent: 5976073 (1999-11-01), Ouchi
patent: 55-19682 (1980-02-01), None
patent: 9-66019 (1997-03-01), None
patent: WO 94/11052 (1994-05-01), None
Ishikawa Masahiro
Kawashima Koichi
Dvorak Linda C. M.
Frishauf, Holtz Goodman, Langer & Chick, P.C.
Olympus Optical Co,. Ltd.
Ram Jocelyn Debra
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