US4714075A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biopsy channel for endoscope
Assignee: Welch Allyn Inc
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Filing: 1986-02-10
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Granted: 1987-12-22
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Expires: 2006-02-10
Abstract
Abstract A biopsy channel for use in the insertion tube of an endoscope or borescope having a reinforced length that passes through the steering section of the tube which can be bent to a small radius without collapsing or losing its circularity. The tubing is preferably a heat softenable thermoplastic and the reinforcement is a metal knitted fabric that is heat bonded into the outer surface of the tubing.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan I. Krauter
- 👤 Robert L. Vivenzio
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/012; A61B1/018; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051; A61B1/0055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
An endoscope including an insertion tube that is connected at its proximal end to a control housing and having a bendable steering unit for maneuvering a viewing head located at the distal end of the tube, the steering unit being located near the distal end of the insertion tube adjacent the viewing head, said endoscope further including a lubricious biopsy channel passing through the inside of the insertion tube having a first tubular section contained within the steering unit that is joined to a second tubular section that passes back into the control housing, said first section being formed of a bendable heat softenable thermoplastic material that is encircled by open mesh metal fabric, said second section being formed of a stiffer plastic material that has a greater resistance to bending than the first section, and the open mesh metal fabric having fibers that are at least partially embedded in the outer surface of the first section for reinforcing said section to prevent the section from closing when bent to a small radius.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
An endoscope including an insertion tube that is connected at its proximal end to a control housing and having a bendable steering unit for maneuvering a viewing head located at the distal end of the tube, the steering unit being located near the distal end of the insertion tube adjacent the viewing head, said endoscope further including a lubricious biopsy channel passing through the inside of the insertion tube having a first tubular section contained within the steering unit that is joined to a second tubular section that passes back into the control housing, said first section being formed of a bendable heat softenable thermoplastic material that is encircled by open mesh metal fabric, said second section being formed of a stiffer plastic material that has a greater resistance to bending than the first section, and the open mesh metal fabric having fibers that are at least partially embedded in the outer surface of the first section for reinforcing said section to prevent the section from closing when bent to a small radius.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The endoscope of claim 1 wherein said first section is formed of vinyl and the second section is formed of Teflon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Th endoscope of claim 1 wherein the metal fabric is woven into a cylinder that substantially encloses the first section of the biopsy channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The endoscope of claim 1 wherein the strands of the metal fabric are completely embedded beneath the outer surface of the first section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3960143A
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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) | 1990-12-21 | 1991-06-22 | 1991-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-21 | 1995-06-22 | 1995-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-21 | 1999-06-22 | 1999-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |