US4881810A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscope with a removable cover member
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1987-11-09
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Granted: 1989-11-21
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Expires: 2007-11-09
Abstract
Abstract An endoscope comprising an elongated insertable part, a rigid tip body provided in the tip part of the insertable part and having an observing window and illuminating window, an observing means for observing an object to be imaged by receiving a light from the object incident from the observing window and an illuminating means emitting an illuminating light from the illuminating window, wherein the insertable part has a removably fitted tubular outer cover covering the outer periphery of this insertable part, an annular fixing member fixing the outer cover in the tip part to the tip body is secured to the outer periphery of the tip body and has a slit provided in the axial direction and further a cuttable connecting part connecting the slit in the direction intersecting the axial direction is provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Hasegawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:49
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00101; A61B1/00131; A61B1/00135; A61B1/00142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An endoscope comprising: an elongated tubular part for observing an object, said elongated tubular part having a rigid tip body at a tip part thereof; at least one tubular outer cover slidably positioned around the outer periphery of said elongated tubular part; and a removable cylindrical cover member firmly self-secured around said rigid tip body for retaining said at least one tubular outer cover, said cover member being provided with at least one substantially through slit along the longitudinal axis thereof, wherein said cover member is removed from said rigid tip body by forcibly expanding said slit in order to further remove said at least one tubular cover from said elongated tubular part.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
An endoscope comprising: an elongated tubular part for observing an object, said elongated tubular part having a rigid tip body at a tip part thereof; at least one tubular outer cover slidably positioned around the outer periphery of said elongated tubular part; and a removable cylindrical cover member firmly self-secured around said rigid tip body for retaining said at least one tubular outer cover, said cover member being provided with at least one substantially through slit along the longitudinal axis thereof, wherein said cover member is removed from said rigid tip body by forcibly expanding said slit in order to further remove said at least one tubular cover from said elongated tubular part.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said removable cover member further has a cuttable connecting part at least across said slit, and said connecting part can be disconnected when said slit is forcibly expanded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said removable cover member and said cuttable connecting part form an integral single part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said cuttable connecting part is a part independent from said removable cover member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein said cuttable connecting part is a ring-like member covering the outer periphery of said removable cover member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said rigid tip has an observing window and an illuminating window, and said elongated tubular part has an observing means for observing an object by receiving light from said object through said observing window and further has an illuminating means for illuminating light from said illuminating window.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein said observing means has an objective lens system receiving light reflected from said object, an eyepiece part connected to said elongated tubular part at the end opposite to said tip part and an image guide fibers placed within said elongated tubular part for transmitting light from said objective lens system to said eyepiece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein said illuminating means has light guide fibers placed within said elongated tubular part for transmitting illuminating light from a light source to said illuminating window.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The endoscope according to claim 1 or 6, further comprising a treating tool channel of a single-layer tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein said tip body is provided with a plurality of independent holes through which said observing means and said illuminating means are inserted.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of slits.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said elongated tubular part is provided with a curvable part adjacent to said tip part thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said elongated tubular part includes an image guide fibers and light guide fibers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said tip body has a peripheral groove around the outer periphery thereof and a O-ring is fitted therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4676230A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-20 | 1993-05-22 | 1993-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-20 | 1997-05-22 | 1997-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-20 | 2001-05-22 | 2001-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |