US5088178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic endoscope provided with protective sheath
Assignee: Optische Industrie de Oude Delft NV
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Filing: 1988-07-12
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Granted: 1992-02-18
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Expires: 2008-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and device are described for fitting a flexible elongated thin-walled protective sheath around the head and tranmission tube of an ultrasonic endoscope. First, the protective sheath is slid onto the nozzle section of a fitting funnel in a gathered condition. The head and transmission tube are then fitted into the protective sheath via the mouth of the fitting funnel. By moving the fitting funnel along the transmission tube, the protective sheath is pulled taut over the head and the transmission tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert F. Stolk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/42; A61B8/4272; A61B8/4281; A61B1/00; A61B1/00142; A61B46/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4422; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S600/00; Y10S600/92; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/49867; Y10T29/49876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
Method for fitting a flexible elongated thin-walled protective sheath including a sealed end section around an endoscopic device having an imaging head and an elongated transmission tube joined thereto for transmitting image signals originating from said imaging head, said elongated transmission tube being connected to an operating case having a conically-shaped sloping section towards said transmission tube comprising the steps of: a) sliding and gathering said protective sheath except said sealed end section onto a nozzle section of a fitting funnel including an enlarged conically-shaped end section; b) splaying an open end section of said protective sheath about said enlarged concically-shaped end section of said fitting funnel; c) coursing said imaging head and elongated transmission tube into said fitting funnel via said conically-shaped end section to a point where said imaging head is positioned in said sealed end section of said protective sheath; d) moving said fitting funnel over said transmission tube towards said operating case; and e) coupling said fitting funnel to said operating case by a detachable coupling.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
Method for fitting a flexible elongated thin-walled protective sheath including a sealed end section around an endoscopic device having an imaging head and an elongated transmission tube joined thereto for transmitting image signals originating from said imaging head, said elongated transmission tube being connected to an operating case having a conically-shaped sloping section towards said transmission tube comprising the steps of: a) sliding and gathering said protective sheath except said sealed end section onto a nozzle section of a fitting funnel including an enlarged conically-shaped end section; b) splaying an open end section of said protective sheath about said enlarged concically-shaped end section of said fitting funnel; c) coursing said imaging head and elongated transmission tube into said fitting funnel via said conically-shaped end section to a point where said imaging head is positioned in said sealed end section of said protective sheath; d) moving said fitting funnel over said transmission tube towards said operating case; and e) coupling said fitting funnel to said operating case by a detachable coupling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said imaging head is an ultrasound transducer and prior to step c), injecting a transmission medium conductive of ultrasound transmission into said sealed end section of said protective sheath whereby said ultrasound transducer is acoustically coupled to said transmission medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
136 words
A fitting assembly for a diagnostic assembly comprised of an imaging head, an elongated transmission tube and an operating case, which comprises: a fitting funnel including a nozzle section and a conically-shaped end section for receiving said imaging head; a protective sheath including an imaging head end receiving segment, an intermediate segment and an opened end segment opposite said imaging head end receiving segment, said protective sheath being dimensioned to fit over said fitting funnel except for said imaging head end receiving segment, said intermediate segment being of a length to be gathered over said nozzle section of said fitting funnel prior to positioning of said imaging head, said opened end segment cooperating in fitting relationship with said conically-shaped end section of said fitting funnel; and means for coupling said fitting funnel to said operating case.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
136 words
A fitting assembly for a diagnostic assembly comprised of an imaging head, an elongated transmission tube and an operating case, which comprises: a fitting funnel including a nozzle section and a conically-shaped end section for receiving said imaging head; a protective sheath including an imaging head end receiving segment, an intermediate segment and an opened end segment opposite said imaging head end receiving segment, said protective sheath being dimensioned to fit over said fitting funnel except for said imaging head end receiving segment, said intermediate segment being of a length to be gathered over said nozzle section of said fitting funnel prior to positioning of said imaging head, said opened end segment cooperating in fitting relationship with said conically-shaped end section of said fitting funnel; and means for coupling said fitting funnel to said operating case.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fitting assembly for a diagnostic assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein said means for coupling comprises a ring member formed on an inner surface portion of said conically-shaped end section of said fitting funnel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fitting assembly as defined in claim 3 or 4 wherein said intermediate section of said protective sheath is of a length to accommodate said elongated transmission tube with said opened end segment splayed over said conically-shaped end section of said fitting funnel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The fitting assembly as defined in claim 3 or wherein said opened end segment of said protective sheath is larger in diameter than said nozzle segment thereof and wherein said diameter of said nozzle segment and said open end segment of said protective sheath is larger than said diameter of said nozzle section and said conically-shaped end section of said fitting funnel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fitting assembly as defined in claim 3 or wherein said imaging head end receiving segment is of smaller diameter than said intermediate segment of said protective sheath and said nozzle section of said fitting funnel.
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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) | 1995-02-17 | 1995-08-19 | 1996-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-17 | 1999-08-19 | 2000-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-17 | 2003-08-19 | 2004-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |