US3581738A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disposable illuminating endoscope and method of manufacture
Assignee: Welch Allyn Inc
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Filing: 1968-11-12
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Granted: 1971-06-01
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Expires: 1988-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A plastic sigmoidoscope has a generally tubular body with integral shield. Proximally of the shield an extension projects angularly from the body and is adapted to fit into a light source handle. Distally of the shield the body forms a speculum wall having an elongated clad light-conducting member embedded therein. The body is formed in diametrical halves each having a groove in the extension and speculum wall, continuous from the extension end to a point spaced from the end of the speculum, into which the member has been fitted before permanently securing the halves together.
Inventors
- 👤 William C Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/31; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00103; A61B1/0011; A61B1/06; A61B1/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A unitary disposable endoscope comprising a body of synthetic resinous material having a generally tubular sidewall forming a speculum and a unitary elongated light-conducting member embedded in the sidewall, the member being formed Of light-conducting material clad with a transparent material having an index of refraction different from that of the light-conducting material, the body being formed of two mating halves divided axially of the endoscope, each half having a member-enclosing wall formed integrally with the sidewall and, with the other half, providing a longitudinally extending tubular passageway in which the member is permanently enclosed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A unitary disposable endoscope comprising a body of synthetic resinous material having a generally tubular sidewall forming a speculum and a unitary elongated light-conducting member embedded in the sidewall, the member being formed Of light-conducting material clad with a transparent material having an index of refraction different from that of the light-conducting material, the body being formed of two mating halves divided axially of the endoscope, each half having a member-enclosing wall formed integrally with the sidewall and, with the other half, providing a longitudinally extending tubular passageway in which the member is permanently enclosed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
177 words
A unitary disposable endoscope comprising: a body of synthetic resinous material having a generally tubular sidewall forming, in part, a tubular speculum; and an elongated light-conducting member embedded in the speculum sidewall, the member being formed of light-conducting material clad with a transparent material having an index of refraction different from that of the light-conducting material; the body being formed of two longitudinally divided diametrically opposed halves, each half having a member-enclosing wall formed integrally with the speculum sidewall to provide a longitudinally extending groove of uniform cross-sectional configuration in which the member is permanently enclosed; the body having a portion projecting angularly therefrom at its proximal end, the projecting portion being formed as portions of the body halves which are grooved in continuation of the speculum-half grooves and having means to engage a separable light source; the proximal end of the member having a light-receiving surface lying in the projecting portion grooves, and the distal end of the member having a light-emitting surface lying in the speculum-half grooves spaced from the distal end of the speculum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
177 words
A unitary disposable endoscope comprising: a body of synthetic resinous material having a generally tubular sidewall forming, in part, a tubular speculum; and an elongated light-conducting member embedded in the speculum sidewall, the member being formed of light-conducting material clad with a transparent material having an index of refraction different from that of the light-conducting material; the body being formed of two longitudinally divided diametrically opposed halves, each half having a member-enclosing wall formed integrally with the speculum sidewall to provide a longitudinally extending groove of uniform cross-sectional configuration in which the member is permanently enclosed; the body having a portion projecting angularly therefrom at its proximal end, the projecting portion being formed as portions of the body halves which are grooved in continuation of the speculum-half grooves and having means to engage a separable light source; the proximal end of the member having a light-receiving surface lying in the projecting portion grooves, and the distal end of the member having a light-emitting surface lying in the speculum-half grooves spaced from the distal end of the speculum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The endoscope defined in claim 2 in which the member is a solid-clad rod having light-receiving and light-emitting surfaces at its respective ends.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The endoscope defined in claim 2 in which the member is a bundle of clad fibers, the bundle having fused portions with light-receiving and light-emitting surfaces at its respective ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The endoscope defined in claim 2 in which the portion of the member embedded in the speculum is round in cross section and the speculum-half grooves are semicircular.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The endoscope defined in claim 2 in which the portion of the member embedded in the speculum is oval in cross section and the speculum-half grooves conform to the cross-sectional sectional shape of the member therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |