US4757819A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic endoscope
Assignee: Olympus Corp
•
Filing: 1987-05-14
•
Granted: 1988-07-19
•
Expires: 2007-05-14
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention comprises an insertion portion having a hard distal end portion. A first holding member is provided to the hard distal end portion, and an ultrasonic vibrator is mounted on the first holding member. A second holding member, detachably mounted with respect to the first holding member, is provided at the hard distal end portion, and an observation optical system is mounted on the second holding member. The second holding member is fixed to the first holding member by a fixing means. In the ultrasonic endoscope with the above arrangement, the first holder for holding the ultrasonic vibrator can be separated from the second holder for holding the observation optical system.
Inventors
- 👤 Takeshi Yokoi
- 👤 Masahiro Kawashima
- 👤 Koichi Matsui
- 👤 Yasuhiro Ueda
- 👤 Michio Sato
- 👤 Akibumi Ishikawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/44; A61B8/4483; A61B8/4488; A61B1/00; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165; A61B1/00174; A61B1/00179; A61B8/12; A61B8/13; A61B8/14; A61B8/145; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
An ultrasonic endoscope including an insertion portion having a hard distal end portion and a soft portion, and a manipulating portion connected to said insertion portion, said endoscope comprising: a first holding member provided at said hard distal end portion and connected to said soft portion, said first holding member having a holding section for fixation of an ultrasonic vibrator, and a through-hole communicating with the inside space of said soft portion; an ultrasonic vibrator attached to said holding member; an electric cable connected to said ultrasonic vibrator, said electric cable extending through said through-hole and the inside space of said soft portion; a second holding member provided at said hard distal end portion and being removably attached to said first holding member; an observation optical system having image transmission means and illumination means, and having an end portion fixed on said second holding member, said observation optical system extending through the inside space of said first holding member and the inside space of said soft portion, and said observation optical system being removable from the ultrasonic endoscope along with said second holding member; and fixing means for removably attaching said second holding member to said first holding member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
An ultrasonic endoscope including an insertion portion having a hard distal end portion and a soft portion, and a manipulating portion connected to said insertion portion, said endoscope comprising: a first holding member provided at said hard distal end portion and connected to said soft portion, said first holding member having a holding section for fixation of an ultrasonic vibrator, and a through-hole communicating with the inside space of said soft portion; an ultrasonic vibrator attached to said holding member; an electric cable connected to said ultrasonic vibrator, said electric cable extending through said through-hole and the inside space of said soft portion; a second holding member provided at said hard distal end portion and being removably attached to said first holding member; an observation optical system having image transmission means and illumination means, and having an end portion fixed on said second holding member, said observation optical system extending through the inside space of said first holding member and the inside space of said soft portion, and said observation optical system being removable from the ultrasonic endoscope along with said second holding member; and fixing means for removably attaching said second holding member to said first holding member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said fixing means comprises a screw member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An endoscope according to claim 2, further comprising a sealing member, disposed between said first and second holding members, for maintaining air-tight and water-tight sealing therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
An endoscope according to claim 3, wherein said second holding member for holding said observation optical system is disposed at the distal end of said first holding member for holding said ultrasonic vibrator, and said observation optical system is guided to said manipulating portion through a space inside said first holding member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the inside space of the first holding member, into which said observation optical system is inserted, is formed behind a rear surface of the ultrasonic vibrator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An endoscope according to claim 3, wherein said first and second holding members have respective facing surfaces separated from each other with respect to a plane parallel to a central axis of said insertion portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first holding member has an opening portion behind a position where said ultrasonic vibrator is mounted, and said fixing means includes means for detachably fitting said second holding member in said opening portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An endoscope according to claim 7, further comprising a sealing member, disposed between said first and second members, for maintaining air-tight and water-tight sealing therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising an air-supply/water-supply/suction channel tube having one end portion fixed on said second holding member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a balloon arranged so as to surround said ultrasonic vibrator.
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) | 1991-07-19 | 1992-01-18 | 1992-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-19 | 1996-01-18 | 1996-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-19 | 2000-01-18 | 2000-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |