US4871229A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for assembling optical fiber bundles in an endoscope
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1988-11-04
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Granted: 1989-10-03
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Expires: 2008-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A method for assembling optical fiber bundles in an endoscope, comprising an insertion step of passing at least one optical fiber bundle through a flexible tube constituting an insertion section of the endoscope, a fitting step of fitting a reinforcement pipe member on an end portion of the optical fiber bundle passed through the flexible tube, and a coupling step of coupling the opposite end portions of the optical fiber bundle, on which the reinforcement pipe member is fitted, individually to a control section and a distal end member of the endoscope.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshio Tashiro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051; A61B1/00064; A61B1/0011; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165; G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/26; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/32; G02B6/36; G02B6/40; G02B6/403; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S600/00; Y10S600/92; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for assembling optical fiber bundles in an endoscope, comprising: an insertion step of passing at least one optical fiber bundle through a flexible tube constituting an insertion section of the endoscope; a fitting step of fitting a reinforcement pipe member in at least one end portion of the optical fiber bundle passed through the flexible tube; and a coupling step of coupling the opposite end portions of the optical fiber bundle, on which the reinforcement pipe member is fitted, individually to a control section and a distal end member of the endoscope.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for assembling optical fiber bundles in an endoscope, comprising: an insertion step of passing at least one optical fiber bundle through a flexible tube constituting an insertion section of the endoscope; a fitting step of fitting a reinforcement pipe member in at least one end portion of the optical fiber bundle passed through the flexible tube; and a coupling step of coupling the opposite end portions of the optical fiber bundle, on which the reinforcement pipe member is fitted, individually to a control section and a distal end member of the endoscope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said optical fiber bundle is composed of an image guide and a light guide, and said insertion step includes a compacting step of compacting both end portions of the image guide and the light guide by means of a bonding agent and fitting mouthpieces individually on the end portions of the guides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said optical fiber bundle is composed of an image guide and a light guide, and said insertion step includes a covering step of covering the image guide with the light guide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said optical fiber bundle is composed of an image guide and a light guide, and said insertion step includes a drawing step of tearing the light guide and drawing out the image guide from the light guide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcement pipe member is fixed by means of a bonding agent when said pipe member is fitted on the end portion of the optical fiber bundle in said fitting step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said bonding agent is formed of an elastic resin, such as epoxy resin or silicone resin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcement member is formed of metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcement member is formed of a synthetic resin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said flexible tube is formed of a flexible resin, such as polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or PTFE.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said flexible tube is a multi-lumen tube.
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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) | 1992-10-02 | 1993-04-03 | 1993-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-02 | 1997-04-03 | 1997-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-02 | 2001-04-03 | 2001-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |