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US6881186B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Endoscope and endoscopic instrument system having reduced backlash when moving the endoscopic instrument within a working channel of the endoscope

Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
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Filing: 2002-08-07
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Granted: 2005-04-19
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Expires: 2022-08-07
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Abstract

Abstract An endoscopic instrument has a portion having an outer surface with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The non-circular cross-sectional shape may be provided to the instrument by providing peripheral projections or fins along the length of the portion or by providing the periphery of the portion with a polygonal shape. Where fins are used, the fins are preferably quite small and only have a minimal effect on the fluid flow cross sectional area between the interior of the working channel and the endoscopic instrument. The resulting instrument has significantly reduced backlash while maintaining adequate fluid flow in the working channel. According to a second embodiment of the invention, a portion of the interior of the working channel of the endoscope has an interior surface having a non-circular cross sectional shape by the inclusion of a plurality of radially spaced and inwardly directed ribs or by being polygonally shaped. The resulting endoscope reduces the backlash of an endoscopic instrument inserted therein while maintaining adequate fluid flow in the working channel.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kevin W. Smith

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 11:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/012; A61B1/018; A61B1/015; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/06; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/34; A61B17/3478; A61B2017/2901; A61B2017/2905

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim 108 words
An endoscopic instrument assembly, comprising: an endoscope having a working channel, the working channel having an inside diameter; and an endoscopic instrument adapted and configured for being disposed in the working channel, the endoscopic instrument including: a tubular member including an outside diameter and a region having a non-circular cross-section shape, the outside diameter being substantially equal to the inside diameter of the working channel, a control member extending at least partially through the tubular member, an end effector disposed adjacent a distal end of the control member, and a handle disposed adjacent a proximal end of the control member for controlling the position of the end effector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 108 words
An endoscopic instrument assembly, comprising: an endoscope having a working channel, the working channel having an inside diameter; and an endoscopic instrument adapted and configured for being disposed in the working channel, the endoscopic instrument including: a tubular member including an outside diameter and a region having a non-circular cross-section shape, the outside diameter being substantially equal to the inside diameter of the working channel, a control member extending at least partially through the tubular member, an end effector disposed adjacent a distal end of the control member, and a handle disposed adjacent a proximal end of the control member for controlling the position of the end effector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 34 words
The endoscopic instrument of claim 1 , wherein the tubular member includes a proximal portion and a distal portion and wherein the region having a non-circular cross-section shape is disposed adjacent the distal portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
The endoscopic instrument of claim 2 , wherein the proximal portion has a generally circular cross-sectional shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 19 words
The endoscopic instrument of claim 1 , wherein the region having a non-circular cross-section shape has a polygonal shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 28 words
The endoscopic instrument of claim 1 , wherein the region having a non-circular cross-section shape is defined by a sheath disposed over a portion of the tubular member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 17 words
The endoscopic instrument of claim 5 , wherein the sheath includes a plurality of fins extending therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 19 words
The endoscopic instrument of claim 1 , wherein the working channel includes a region having a non-circular cross-section shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 101 words
A medical device, comprising: an elongate member having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen having an inside diameter; a tubular instrument adapted and configured for being disposed within the lumen, the tubular instrument including an outside diameter and a region having a non-circular cross-section shape, the outside diameter being substantially equal to the inside diameter of the lumen; a control member extending at least partially through the tubular instrument; an end effector disposed adjacent a distal end of the control member; and a handle disposed adjacent a proximal end of the control member for controlling the position of the end effector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 101 words
A medical device, comprising: an elongate member having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen having an inside diameter; a tubular instrument adapted and configured for being disposed within the lumen, the tubular instrument including an outside diameter and a region having a non-circular cross-section shape, the outside diameter being substantially equal to the inside diameter of the lumen; a control member extending at least partially through the tubular instrument; an end effector disposed adjacent a distal end of the control member; and a handle disposed adjacent a proximal end of the control member for controlling the position of the end effector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 34 words
The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the tubular instrument includes a proximal portion and a distal portion and wherein the region having a non-circular cross-section shape is disposed adjacent the distal portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 17 words
The medical device of claim 9 , wherein the proximal portion has a generally circular cross-sectional shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 19 words
The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the region having a non-circular cross-section shape has a polygonal shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 28 words
The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the region having a non-circular cross-section shape is defined by a sheath disposed over a portion of the tubular instrument.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 17 words
The medical device of claim 12 , wherein the sheath includes a plurality of fins extending therefrom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 18 words
The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the lumen includes a region having a non-circular cross-section shape.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 131 words
An endoscopic instrument system, comprising: an endoscope having a working channel, the working channel having an inside diameter; and an endoscopic instrument adapted and configured for being disposed in the working channel, the endoscopic instrument including: an elongate coil assembly having an outside diameter and a region having a non-circular cross-section shape, the outside diameter being substantially equal to the inside diameter of the working channel, a control wire extending at least partially through the coil assembly, an end effector disposed adjacent a distal end of the control wire, the end effector being adapted to shift between a first generally open configuration and a second generally closed configuration, and a handle disposed adjacent a proximal end of the control wire for shifting the end effector between the first and second configurations.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 131 words
An endoscopic instrument system, comprising: an endoscope having a working channel, the working channel having an inside diameter; and an endoscopic instrument adapted and configured for being disposed in the working channel, the endoscopic instrument including: an elongate coil assembly having an outside diameter and a region having a non-circular cross-section shape, the outside diameter being substantially equal to the inside diameter of the working channel, a control wire extending at least partially through the coil assembly, an end effector disposed adjacent a distal end of the control wire, the end effector being adapted to shift between a first generally open configuration and a second generally closed configuration, and a handle disposed adjacent a proximal end of the control wire for shifting the end effector between the first and second configurations.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 35 words
The endoscopic instrument system of claim 15 , wherein the coil assembly includes a proximal portion and a distal portion and wherein the region having a non-circular cross-section shape is disposed adjacent the distal portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 18 words
The endoscopic instrument system of claim 16 , wherein the proximal portion has a generally circular cross-sectional shape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 20 words
The endoscopic instrument system of claim 15 , wherein the region having a non-circular cross-section shape has a polygonal shape.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 29 words
The endoscopic instrument system of claim 15 , wherein the region having a non-circular cross-section shape is defined by a sheath disposed over a portion of the coil assembly.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 18 words
The endoscopic instrument system of claim 19 , wherein the sheath includes a plurality of fins extending therefrom.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 20 words
The endoscopic instrument system of claim 15 , wherein the working channel includes a region having a non-circular cross-section shape.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 134 words
An endoscopic instrument system, comprising: an endoscope having a working channel, the working channel having an inside diameter; an elongate tubular member adapted and configured for being disposed in the working channel, the tubular member having an outside diameter that is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the working channel, a proximal region having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, and a distal region having a non-circular cross-section shape; a control member extending at least partially through the tubular member; an end effector disposed adjacent a distal end of the control member, the end effector being adapted to shift between a first generally open configuration and a second generally closed configuration; and a handle disposed adjacent a proximal end of the control wire for shifting the end effector between the first and second configurations.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 134 words
An endoscopic instrument system, comprising: an endoscope having a working channel, the working channel having an inside diameter; an elongate tubular member adapted and configured for being disposed in the working channel, the tubular member having an outside diameter that is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the working channel, a proximal region having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, and a distal region having a non-circular cross-section shape; a control member extending at least partially through the tubular member; an end effector disposed adjacent a distal end of the control member, the end effector being adapted to shift between a first generally open configuration and a second generally closed configuration; and a handle disposed adjacent a proximal end of the control wire for shifting the end effector between the first and second configurations.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 129 words
A medical device, comprising: an elongate member having a lumen, the lumen having an inside diameter; a tubular instrument adapted and configured for being disposed in the lumen, the tubular instrument having an outside diameter that is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the lumen, a proximal region having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, and a distal region having a non-circular cross-section shape; a control member extending at least partially through the tubular instrument; an end effector disposed adjacent a distal end of the control member, the end effector being adapted to shift between a first generally open configuration and a second generally closed configuration; and a handle disposed adjacent a proximal end of the control wire for shifting the end effector between the first and second configurations.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 129 words
A medical device, comprising: an elongate member having a lumen, the lumen having an inside diameter; a tubular instrument adapted and configured for being disposed in the lumen, the tubular instrument having an outside diameter that is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the lumen, a proximal region having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, and a distal region having a non-circular cross-section shape; a control member extending at least partially through the tubular instrument; an end effector disposed adjacent a distal end of the control member, the end effector being adapted to shift between a first generally open configuration and a second generally closed configuration; and a handle disposed adjacent a proximal end of the control wire for shifting the end effector between the first and second configurations.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 133 words
An endoscopic instrument system, comprising: an endoscope having a working channel, the working channel having an inside diameter; an elongate tubular member adapted and configured for being disposed in the working channel, the tubular member having an outside diameter that is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the working channel; means for reducing backlash between the tubular member and the working channel disposed adjacent the tubular member; a control member extending at least partially through the tubular member; an end effector disposed adjacent a distal end of the control member, the end effector being adapted to shift between a first generally open configuration and a second generally closed configuration; and a handle disposed adjacent a proximal end of the control wire for shifting the end effector between the first and second configurations.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 133 words
An endoscopic instrument system, comprising: an endoscope having a working channel, the working channel having an inside diameter; an elongate tubular member adapted and configured for being disposed in the working channel, the tubular member having an outside diameter that is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the working channel; means for reducing backlash between the tubular member and the working channel disposed adjacent the tubular member; a control member extending at least partially through the tubular member; an end effector disposed adjacent a distal end of the control member, the end effector being adapted to shift between a first generally open configuration and a second generally closed configuration; and a handle disposed adjacent a proximal end of the control wire for shifting the end effector between the first and second configurations.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2008-04-18 2008-10-18 2009-04-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2012-04-18 2012-10-18 2013-04-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2016-04-18 2016-10-18 2017-04-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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