US3669099A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for everting a flexible probe into a cavity
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-12-01
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Granted: 1972-06-13
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Expires: 1989-12-01
Abstract
Abstract In this invention a flexible thin-walled tubing probe is everted into a body cavity carrying with it a medical instrument which can be a long slender cylindrical means. The length of tubing is everted and folded over itself to provide a double-walled tubing having an outer wall, an inner wall, with an annular space between, and with a central longitudinal passage inside the inner wall. The two ends are sealed to close this volume and means are provided to fill the closed annular volume with a gas or liquid. The sealed tubing ends are attached, sealed to, or held in contact with a short cylindrical, tube which is used as a handle or nozzle, through which the tubing is everted into a body cavity. The long cylindrical element presses on the other folded (back) end of the tubing. This causes fluid to be moved from the back end to the front end, causing the tubing to be everted through the nozzle. The cylindrical element meanwhile moves forward with the tubing, through the nozzle, into the cavity. Various methods of sealing and attaching the tubing to the nozzle are illustrated.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Silverman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B1/00; A61B1/00147; A61B1/00151; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0119; A61M31/00; A61M25/0043; A61M2025/0062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
Apparatus for the insertion into and the removal of a flexible eversible tubulAr probe from an elongated constricted cavity, comprising, a. an eversible tubular probe comprising a length of eversible tubing, one portion of said tubing inverted over itself and folded to produce an annular cylindrical container having an inner and an outer wall with an annular volume therebetween, and an inner longitudinal passage defined by said inner wall, b. means including at least the two ends of said eversible tubing to seal said annular container, and sealing said container, to form a closed annular volume, c. said closed annular volume filled with fluid, whereby said longitudinal passage will be constricted at least to a small diameter, d. substantially rigid tubular handle means surrounding and in intimate contact with at least a portion of said fluid filled probe at a first end thereof, the second end of said probe extending axially out of a second end of said handle means, said handle means tapering to a smaller diameter at the first end thereof, e. and including tubular guide means extending from said handle means and enclosing said fluid filled probe substantially to the second end thereof, the outer end of said guide means closed with a plate having a central opening, and f. including slender cylindrical means slidably received in said opening adapted to press through said central opening on said second end of said probe along its axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
Apparatus for the insertion into and the removal of a flexible eversible tubulAr probe from an elongated constricted cavity, comprising, a. an eversible tubular probe comprising a length of eversible tubing, one portion of said tubing inverted over itself and folded to produce an annular cylindrical container having an inner and an outer wall with an annular volume therebetween, and an inner longitudinal passage defined by said inner wall, b. means including at least the two ends of said eversible tubing to seal said annular container, and sealing said container, to form a closed annular volume, c. said closed annular volume filled with fluid, whereby said longitudinal passage will be constricted at least to a small diameter, d. substantially rigid tubular handle means surrounding and in intimate contact with at least a portion of said fluid filled probe at a first end thereof, the second end of said probe extending axially out of a second end of said handle means, said handle means tapering to a smaller diameter at the first end thereof, e. and including tubular guide means extending from said handle means and enclosing said fluid filled probe substantially to the second end thereof, the outer end of said guide means closed with a plate having a central opening, and f. including slender cylindrical means slidably received in said opening adapted to press through said central opening on said second end of said probe along its axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said sealing means includes said tubular handle means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 in which the end of said outer wall of said tubing is sealed to a second end of said tubular handle means, the end of said inner wall is passed through said handle means and sealed to the first end of said handle means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 including means to fill said annular volume with fluid comprising conduit means through the wall of said handle means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 in which the ends of both said outer and said inner walls are sealed to one end of said handle means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said inner and said outer walls are sealed together circumferentially to form said closed annular volume and one end of said sealed tubing with annular volume filled with fluid is inserted into said handle means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said tapering portion has at least one circumferential convolution on its inner surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including means to introduce fluid into said closed annular volume comprising conduit means through the wall of said closed annular volume.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including means to introduce fluid into said closed annular volume comprising means to fill said annular container with liquid before said container is sealed to form said closed annular volume.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said cylindrical means comprises rod like means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 10 in which said rod like means comprises fiber optical means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said cylindrical means comprises non-collapsible tubular means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 in which said tubular means includes removable closure means on the end pressing on said tubing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 in which said tubular means includes handle means on the end opposite to that which presses on said tubing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 in which said tubular means is constructed of a material having low coefficient of surface friction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 in which said tubular means has a plurality of longitudinal disconnected slits in its wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said guide means at one end is attached to the second end of said handle means, said guide means closed at the other end, completely enclosing said probe, and including also cover means to enclose and seal the first end of said handle means.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
200 words
The method of everting a tubular surgical probe into an elongated animal-body cavity, said probe comprising a length of eversible tubing, one portion of said tubing inverted over itself and folded to produce an annular cylindrical container having an inner wall and an outer wall with an annular volume therebetween, and an inner longitudinal passage inside said inner wall, sealing means including at least the ends of said inner and said outer walls to form a closed annular volume, said closed annular volume filled with fluid, at least a first end of said fluid filled probe inside of and in intimate contact with a substantially rigid tubular handle means, and extending out of a second end of said handle means, and including tubular guide means extending from said handle means and enclosing said fluid filled probe substantially to the second end thereof, comprising the steps of a. placing the first end of said handle means at the mouth of said body cavity, and b. pressing the second end of said fluid filled surgical probe toward the second end of said handle means, with a slender cylindrical means adapted to press on said second end of said probe along its axis.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
200 words
The method of everting a tubular surgical probe into an elongated animal-body cavity, said probe comprising a length of eversible tubing, one portion of said tubing inverted over itself and folded to produce an annular cylindrical container having an inner wall and an outer wall with an annular volume therebetween, and an inner longitudinal passage inside said inner wall, sealing means including at least the ends of said inner and said outer walls to form a closed annular volume, said closed annular volume filled with fluid, at least a first end of said fluid filled probe inside of and in intimate contact with a substantially rigid tubular handle means, and extending out of a second end of said handle means, and including tubular guide means extending from said handle means and enclosing said fluid filled probe substantially to the second end thereof, comprising the steps of a. placing the first end of said handle means at the mouth of said body cavity, and b. pressing the second end of said fluid filled surgical probe toward the second end of said handle means, with a slender cylindrical means adapted to press on said second end of said probe along its axis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 18 including the step of continuing to press on said probe by said cylindrical means until said first end progresses through said handle means, into said cavity, and through said probe.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 18 including the additional step of pulling the second end of said cylindrical means out of said handle means to cause said probe to be retrieved from said cavity and to be intraverted into and through said handle means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 19 in which said cylindrical means is a slender flexible non-collapsible tube, with the additional step, after said tube has progressed through said probe of inserting into and pressing a rod-like instrument means through said tube until its first end extends into said cavity past the first end of said tube.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as in claim 19 including the additional step of removing fluid from said annular space until said inner passage is open.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as in claim 22 including the additional step, after substantially all fluid is removed from said annular space, of retrieving together said cylindrical means and said probe.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as in claim 18 in which said cylindrical means is a slender flexible non-collapsible tubular means, said tubular means having a plurality of longitudinal, disconnected slits in its wall.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as in claim 18 in which said cylindrical means is a slender flexible non-collapsible tubular means, said tubular means made of a material having low coefficient of surface friction and having removable closure means on the end pressing on said tubing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as in claim 18 in which said cylindrical means comprises fiber optical means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as in claim 18 in which said cylindrical means is a slender flexible non-collapsible tubular means including handle means on the end opposite to that which presses on said tubing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-13 | 1975-12-13 | 1976-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-13 | 1979-12-13 | 1980-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-13 | 1983-12-13 | 1984-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |