Patent US4409182A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4750477A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
US4750477A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Instrument control head

Assignee: ACMI Corp
•
Filing: 1987-02-20
•
Granted: 1988-06-14
•
Expires: 2007-02-20
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract An instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape for accessing a target area comprising an objective head, a control head and a flexible shaft therebetween. The control head has a repositionable instrument entry block for inserting a surgical instrument or washing fluid into the control and to a target area near the objective head. The control head also has a repositionable light post and vent valve assembly which may be repositioned after the instrument has been inserted into a target area. The light post and vent valve assembly may also comprise a connector for a disconnectable external light carrier.

Inventors

  • 👤 John L. Wardle

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 12:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/307; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00066; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 144 words
An instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape for accessing a target area, said instrument having a proximal end thereof, distal end thereof, and a working channel therebetween, said proximal end having a control head including an entry block means containing a portion of said working channel, said control head further comprising: control head housing means having a passageway to permit access of said working channel from said entry block means through said control head housing means, and means for repositionally mounting said entry block means relative to said control head housing means while enabling said housing passageway to have access to said working channel, whereby said entry block means is readily repositionable relative to said control head housing means so that an operator can reposition said entry block means to a suitable position relative to said housing means for using said working channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 144 words
An instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape for accessing a target area, said instrument having a proximal end thereof, distal end thereof, and a working channel therebetween, said proximal end having a control head including an entry block means containing a portion of said working channel, said control head further comprising: control head housing means having a passageway to permit access of said working channel from said entry block means through said control head housing means, and means for repositionally mounting said entry block means relative to said control head housing means while enabling said housing passageway to have access to said working channel, whereby said entry block means is readily repositionable relative to said control head housing means so that an operator can reposition said entry block means to a suitable position relative to said housing means for using said working channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
An instrument as in claim 1 wherein said means for repositionally mounting said entry block means has a limiting stop means to limit the amount of reposition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 30 words
An instrument as in claim 2 wherein said means for repositionally mounting said entry block means is limited to about a 90 degree repositioning arc relative to said control head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
An instrument as in claim 1 wherein said entry block means is sealingly engaged on said control head housing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 19 words
An instrument as in claim 1 wherein said entry block means includes an entry tube and entry tube retainer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
An instrument as in claim 1 wherein said entry block means includes a stopcock adaptor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 14 words
An instrument as in claim 1 wherein said entry block means includes a stopcock.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 118 words
An instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape for accessing a target area, said instrument having a proximal end thereof, a distal end thereof, and a working channel therebetween , said proximal end having a control head, said control head further comprising: control head housing means, repositionable entry block means having a passageway to permit access of said working channel from said entry block means through said control head, and mounting means movably interconnecting said control head housing and said entry block means to enable said entry block means to be repositioned relative to said control head housing whereby an operator is able to reposition said entry block means to a suitable position for using said working channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 118 words
An instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape for accessing a target area, said instrument having a proximal end thereof, a distal end thereof, and a working channel therebetween , said proximal end having a control head, said control head further comprising: control head housing means, repositionable entry block means having a passageway to permit access of said working channel from said entry block means through said control head, and mounting means movably interconnecting said control head housing and said entry block means to enable said entry block means to be repositioned relative to said control head housing whereby an operator is able to reposition said entry block means to a suitable position for using said working channel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 22 words
An instrument as in claim 8 wherein said mounting means has a means for limiting the amount of entry block means reposition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
An instrument as in claim 8 wherein said entry block means is sealingly engaged on said control head housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 19 words
An instrument as in claim 8 wherein said entry block means includes an entry tube and entry tube retainer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 85 words
An instrument of a generally tubular shape for accessing a target area, said instrument having a proximal end thereof, a distal end thereof, and a working channel therebetween, said proximal end having a control head, said control head further comprising: control head housing means, repositionable entry block means having a passageway to permit access of said working channel from said entry block means through said control head, and repositionable light carrier entry means for enabling a light carrier means to enter into said control head.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 85 words
An instrument of a generally tubular shape for accessing a target area, said instrument having a proximal end thereof, a distal end thereof, and a working channel therebetween, said proximal end having a control head, said control head further comprising: control head housing means, repositionable entry block means having a passageway to permit access of said working channel from said entry block means through said control head, and repositionable light carrier entry means for enabling a light carrier means to enter into said control head.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1958656A Cited
US2120996A Cited
US3368552A Cited
US3792701A Cited
US3918438A Cited
US4207873A Cited
US4188942A Cited
US4704007A Cited
US4439030A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-06-14 1991-12-14 1992-06-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-06-14 1995-12-14 1996-06-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-06-14 1999-12-14 2000-06-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag