US3878835A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chucking attachment for insertion of a fine flexible tube into an endoscope
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1974-02-22
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1994-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A chucking attachment for insertion of a fine flexible tube into a channel formed in the body of an endoscope wherein a guide member is detachably fitted to the open end of the channel; a chucking member wholly formed of relatively hard synthetic resin is slidably attached to the guide member; part of the chucking member is made flexible so as to pinch a fine similarly flexible tube inserted thereinto; the fine flexible tube is introduced into the channel of the endoscope through the chucking member and guide member, thereby enabling the fine flexible tube to be stepwise forced into the channel by being repeatedly pinched and released by the flexible portion of the chucking member when it slides up and down.
Inventors
- 👤 Mikio Utsugi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/012; A61B1/015; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T279/00; Y10T279/17; Y10T279/17119; Y10T279/17128; Y10T279/17136; Y10T279/17153; Y10T279/17411; Y10T279/17418; Y10T279/17427
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
In an endoscope having an outer tubular, flexible duct for insertion into the body, a fine flexible tube within said outer duct, and means for inserting said fine tube into said outer duct, the improvement in said means comprising, a cylindrical guide means disposed at the inlet opening of said outer duct to guide within a prescribed range said fine flexible tube as it is introduced into said duct; a cylindrical body slidably fitted into said guide means and having a rigid portion thereof slidably abutting against the outer wall of said fine flexible tube for guiding the same and a flexible portion thereof positioned on said cylindrical body and radially flexible when depressed by the fingers, thereby enabling pinching said fine flexible tube when inserted into the flexible portion of said cylindrical body, whereby said fine flexible tube is forced stepwise into the endoscope outer duct by repeatedly sliding said cylindrical body member through said guide means and also repeatedly causing said flexible portion of said body to pinch said fine flexible tube inserted thereinto and to be released therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
In an endoscope having an outer tubular, flexible duct for insertion into the body, a fine flexible tube within said outer duct, and means for inserting said fine tube into said outer duct, the improvement in said means comprising, a cylindrical guide means disposed at the inlet opening of said outer duct to guide within a prescribed range said fine flexible tube as it is introduced into said duct; a cylindrical body slidably fitted into said guide means and having a rigid portion thereof slidably abutting against the outer wall of said fine flexible tube for guiding the same and a flexible portion thereof positioned on said cylindrical body and radially flexible when depressed by the fingers, thereby enabling pinching said fine flexible tube when inserted into the flexible portion of said cylindrical body, whereby said fine flexible tube is forced stepwise into the endoscope outer duct by repeatedly sliding said cylindrical body member through said guide means and also repeatedly causing said flexible portion of said body to pinch said fine flexible tube inserted thereinto and to be released therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
181 words
In an endoscope having an outer tubular, flexible duct for insertion into the body, a fine flexible tube within said outer duct, and means for inserting said fine tube into said outer duct, the improvement in said means comprising, a cylindrical guide means disposed at the inlet opening of said outer duct to guide within a prescribed range said fine flexible tube as it is introduced into said duct; a cylindrical body slidably fitted into said guide means and having a rigid portion thereof slidably abutting against the outer wall of said fine flexible tube for guiding the same and a flexible portion thereof positioned on said cylindrical body and radially flexible when depressed by the fingers, thereby enabling pinching said fine flexible tube when inserted into the flexible portion of said cylindrical body, whereby said fine flexible tube is forced stepwise into the endoscope outer duct by repeatedly sliding said cylindrical body member through said guide means and also repeatedly causing said flexible portion of said body to pinch said fine flexible tube inserted thereinto and to be released therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
181 words
In an endoscope having an outer tubular, flexible duct for insertion into the body, a fine flexible tube within said outer duct, and means for inserting said fine tube into said outer duct, the improvement in said means comprising, a cylindrical guide means disposed at the inlet opening of said outer duct to guide within a prescribed range said fine flexible tube as it is introduced into said duct; a cylindrical body slidably fitted into said guide means and having a rigid portion thereof slidably abutting against the outer wall of said fine flexible tube for guiding the same and a flexible portion thereof positioned on said cylindrical body and radially flexible when depressed by the fingers, thereby enabling pinching said fine flexible tube when inserted into the flexible portion of said cylindrical body, whereby said fine flexible tube is forced stepwise into the endoscope outer duct by repeatedly sliding said cylindrical body member through said guide means and also repeatedly causing said flexible portion of said body to pinch said fine flexible tube inserted thereinto and to be released therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said guide means has its botton end detachably affixed to the inlet opening of the endoscope outer duct, the inner diameter of said guide means being substantially the same as that of said duct and forming therewith a continuous passageway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cylindrical body within said guide means is wholly prepared from relatively hard synthetic resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible portion of said cylindrical body consists of a plurality of band-like strips defined by intervening notches cut out lengthwise of said body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an inwardly extending flange-like projection is formed at the upper end of the passageway of said guide means, and an outwardly extending flange-like projection is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the bottom end of said cylindrical body fitted into said guide means; engagement between the flange-like projection of said cylindrical body and the flange-like projection of said guide means preventing the bottom end of said cylindrical body from slipping out of said guide means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible portion of said cylindrical body is progressively flared outwardly toward the end of the endoscope from which said fine flexible tube is inserted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a notch is cut ouT lengthwise throughout one side of both the flare-shaped flexible portion and the cylindrical portion of said cylindrical body, thereby enabling the fine flexible tube to be inserted sideways into the flexible tube passageway from one side thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said flare-shaped flexible portion has a substantially rectangular cross section; the two opposing longer side walls forming the rectangle being thinner than the two opposing shorter side walls, thereby enably said thin longer side walls to be pinched when depressed by the fingers, and to engage the fine flexible tube within the flexible portion thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said guide means is metal; the rigid portion of said cylindrical body is also metal and the flexible portion thereof is rubber, said rigid portion and flexible portion being constructed in an integral body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a notch is formed lengthwise on one side of said guide means, thereby enabling the flexible tube to be inserted sideways into the guide member through the notch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein two opposing projections are formed on the inner peripheral wall of the upper end of said guide means; a flange-like projection is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the bottom end of said cylindrical body, said flange-like projection being provided with two opposing notches extending radially of the cylindrical body, and engageable with the projections of the guide means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |