US5486155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotatable endoscope sheath
Assignee: Gyrus ACMI Inc
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Filing: 1994-07-15
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Granted: 1996-01-23
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Expires: 2014-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A continuous flow resectoscope having a working element and a sheath assembly removably connected to the working element. The sheath assembly has an outer sheath removably attached to an inner sheath. The improvement comprises a rotatable connection of the inner sheath to the working element, wherein the working element is rotatable relative to both the inner and outer sheaths.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard P. Muller
- 👤 Richard J. O'Hare
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00131; A61B1/00135; A61B1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
An endoscope comprising: a working element; and a first sheath covering a portion of the working element, the first sheath having a first section and a second section, the first section having a tube and means for connecting a second sheath over a portion of the tube, the second section being rotatably attached directly to the first section and being directly stationarily connected to the working element, wherein the working element is rotatable relative to the tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
An endoscope comprising: a working element; and a first sheath covering a portion of the working element, the first sheath having a first section and a second section, the first section having a tube and means for connecting a second sheath over a portion of the tube, the second section being rotatably attached directly to the first section and being directly stationarily connected to the working element, wherein the working element is rotatable relative to the tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An endoscope as in claim 1 further comprising a second sheath surrounding the tube of the first sheath.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An endoscope as in claim 2 wherein the first and second sheaths are connected to each other to form a continuous flow sheath assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
An endoscope as in claim 1 wherein the first section includes a first frame member fixedly connected to an end of the tube and the second section includes a second frame member rotatably connected to the first frame member by a rotator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An endoscope as in claim 4 wherein the rotator comprises a sleeve bearing fixedly connected to the second frame member and sandwiched between the first and second frame members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An endoscope as in claim 4 wherein the rotator comprises a roller bearing between the first and second frame members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endoscope as in claim 4 wherein the second frame member includes latch slots having a latch of the working element connected thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An endoscope as in claim 4 wherein the means for connecting a second sheath over a portion of the tube includes a movable latch connected to the first frame member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a continuous flow resectoscope having a working element and a sheath assembly removably connected to the working element, the sheath assembly having an outer sheath with an outer tube removably connected to an inner sheath, the improvement comprising: a rotatable connection of an inner tube of the inner sheath to the working element, wherein the working element is rotatable relative to both the inner and outer tubes of both sheaths.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a continuous flow resectoscope having a working element and a sheath assembly removably connected to the working element, the sheath assembly having an outer sheath with an outer tube removably connected to an inner sheath, the improvement comprising: a rotatable connection of an inner tube of the inner sheath to the working element, wherein the working element is rotatable relative to both the inner and outer tubes of both sheaths.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A resectoscope as in claim 9 wherein the rotatable connection comprises the inner sheath having a first frame member fixedly connected to an end of the inner tube, and a second frame member rotatably attached to the first frame member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A resectoscope as in claim 10 wherein the inner sheath has a sleeve bearing sandwiched between the first and second frame members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A resectoscope as in claim 10 wherein the inner sheath has at least one roller bearing between the first and second frame members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A resectoscope as in claim 10 wherein the inner sheath includes a movable latch on the first frame member connecting the first frame member to the outer sheath.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A resectoscope as in claim 10 wherein the inner sheath includes latch slots on the second frame member connecting the second frame member to the working element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
In a system for connecting an endoscope sheath to a working element, the improvement comprising: an adaptor located between a connector section of the sheath and the working element, the adaptor being separately removably connected to the connector section of the sheath and the working element and, including a rotatable section such that the working element is rotatable relative to the sheath.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
In a system for connecting an endoscope sheath to a working element, the improvement comprising: an adaptor located between a connector section of the sheath and the working element, the adaptor being separately removably connected to the connector section of the sheath and the working element and, including a rotatable section such that the working element is rotatable relative to the sheath.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a continuous flow resectoscope having a working element and a sheath assembly removably connected to the working element, the sheath assembly having an outer sheath with an outer tube removably connected to an inner sheath with an inner tube, the improvement comprising: a rotatable connection of the inner tube to the working element, wherein the working element is rotatable relative to both the inner and outer tubes and the rotatable connection comprises the inner sheath having a first frame member fixedly connected to an end of the inner tube, and a second frame member rotatably attached to the first frame member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a continuous flow resectoscope having a working element and a sheath assembly removably connected to the working element, the sheath assembly having an outer sheath with an outer tube removably connected to an inner sheath with an inner tube, the improvement comprising: a rotatable connection of the inner tube to the working element, wherein the working element is rotatable relative to both the inner and outer tubes and the rotatable connection comprises the inner sheath having a first frame member fixedly connected to an end of the inner tube, and a second frame member rotatably attached to the first frame member.
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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) | 1999-01-22 | 1999-07-24 | 2000-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-22 | 2003-07-24 | 2004-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-22 | 2007-07-24 | 2008-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |