Did You Know...
...that Charles Goodyear performed some of his experiments on rubber while in debtor's prison? He was there so often he referred to it as his "hotel". Chronically in debt because of poor business sense and ill health, Goodyear depended on the generosity of friends and family. Even after he unlocked the secret to vulcanizing rubber, he was unable to improve his financial situation. When he died, his estate was $200,000 in debt.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7901349 | Endoscope reprocessor connectivity apparatus and method Apparatus and method for detecting connectivity in a channel in an endoscope undergoing reprocessing using an automatic reprocessor, the apparatus including a source of pressurized fluid which may be a gas alone or gas and liquid and a back pressure detector connect... | 03/08/2011 |
| 7686761 | Method of detecting proper connection of an endoscope to an endoscope processor A method detects proper connection of an endoscope to an endoscope processor by measuring pressure pulses applied to the connection point. The method can include measuring for the pressure pulses at a second connection point on the endoscope processor and measuring ... | 03/30/2010 |
| 7115091 | Reusable endoscopic device and related systems and methods Reusable instruments, such as reusable medical instruments, and related systems and methods, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the reusable instrument can be an endoscope, which can be cleaned by sterilization. In certain embodiments, a method of sterilizing inclu... | 10/03/2006 |
| 7081097 | Endoscope sheath assemblies having an attached biopsy sampling device Apparatus and methods for obtaining biopsy samples using an endoscope assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment, an assembly adapted for use with an endoscopic insertion tube includes a sheath having a body portion adapted to at least partially encapsulate a distal ... | 07/25/2006 |
| 7056284 | Endoscope assemblies having working channels with reduced bending and stretching resistance Apparatus and methods for endoscope assemblies having working channels with reduced bending and stretching resistance are disclosed. In one embodiment, an endoscope assembly includes a sheath having a body portion adapted to at least partially encapsulate an endosco... | 06/06/2006 |
| 6997867 | Flexible sleeve slidingly transformable into a large suction sleeve A sleeve is provided for placing over a flexible endoscope. The sleeve has a port between its distal and proximal openings and the port is connected to a vacuum source. Once the endoscope is retracted proximal to the suction port, the sleeve's proximal opening is se... | 02/14/2006 |
| 6461295 | Self-propelled colonoscope and cleaning process thereof An endoscope is provided, being insertable in the colon of a patient, in a self-propelled manner, by driving a plurality of endless belts mounted along the outside surface of a flexible section of an insertion tube thereof, and having a cleaning mechanism... | 10/08/2002 |
| 6224544 | Self-propelled colonoscope and cleaning process thereof An endoscope is provided, being insertable in the colon of a patient, in a self-propelled manner, by driving a plurality of endless belts mounted along the outside surface of a flexible section of an insertion tube thereof, and having a cleaning mechanism... | 05/01/2001 |
| 6045623 | Method and apparatus for cleaning catheter lumens A set (310) of lumen cleaning devices (310a, 310b, . . . ) is provided, with each consisting of a flexible shaft (312), a radial bristle brush (314) at one end of the shaft, and a swab (316) on the other end of the shaft. The brushes have particular brush... | 04/04/2000 |
| 5893878 | Micro traumatic tissue manipulator apparatus An apparatus for surgically manipulating tissue without causing irreparable damage to the tissue during retention and manipulation is disclosed. The tissue manipulator apparatus includes a shaft having proximal and distal ends, a rod member with proximal ... | 04/13/1999 |
| 5749829 | Endoscope system An endoscope system in accordance with the present invention comprises: an endoscope having an insertional part, operation unit, and connector unit set in array, and including channels that communicate with an opening formed in the distal section of the i... | 05/12/1998 |
| 5448990 | Endoscope viewing cannula and surgical techniques An improved endoscope assembly for exploratory and general surgery which permits exceptional vision while eliminating the requirement of both washing of the lense and expansion of the body cavity. Using a standard endoscope, a housing is placed over the e... | 09/12/1995 |
| 5408991 | Endoscope system wherein cleaning solution flows at same speed in cleaning solution supply section and in all flow paths of internal conduits An endoscope system includes an endoscope having internal conduits, a cleaning solution supply portion formed in the endoscope and communicating with the internal conduits, and a solution feed unit for feeding a cleaning solution to the cleaning solution ... | 04/25/1995 |
| 5048508 | Endoscope having sealed shaft An endoscope having an edoscope shaft, a periscope, optics removably secured to the endoscope shaft and separable from the endoscope shaft and an instrument channel having an apertured cap through which treatment instruments are introduced into the instru... | 09/17/1991 |
| 4919113 | Method of cleaning scope end of endoscope and endoscope with scope end cleaning mechanism A method of cleaning scope end of endoscope capable of performing a painless cleaning operation as well as securing a stable direct observation condition, without relying on an operator's skill. The method includes the steps of: injecting water towards th... | 04/24/1990 |
| 4771766 | Guide tube assembly of endoscope An endoscope comprising a proximal structure and an inserting structure extending from an operating body of the proximal structure. A guide tube assembly extending within the inserting structure comprises an inner tube formed of porous resin and an outer ... | 09/20/1988 |
| 4637378 | Cleaning apparatus for endoscope A cleaning apparatus includes a liquid feeding unit, a connector detachably connected to an endoscope and a connecting unit for guiding a detergent solution fed from the feeding unit to the connector. The connector has a support plate, an air/liquid mouth... | 01/20/1987 |
| 4589403 | Apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing a guide tube for a forceps-control member operating wire in an endoscope An endoscope includes a forceps-control member movably mounted in a forward region of the elongate portion which is adapted to be inserted into a body cavity for selectively projecting and retracting forceps from and into the forward region of the inserti... | 05/20/1986 |
| 4562830 | Suction device for an endoscope A suction device comprises a suction changeover valve provided to a control section of an endoscope and including a cylinder with an opening at one end and a closed wall at the other end, and a piston held in the cylinder in a state movable therethrough a... | 01/07/1986 |
| 4537209 | Device for cleaning endoscopes A device for cleaning an endoscope includes a communication member which is inserted into an air and water supply cylinder of the endoscope after removing a changeover piston from the cylinder. The communication member is movable between first and second ... | 08/27/1985 |
| 4190041 | Cleaning device for wire guide tube in an endoscope The present invention relates to a side view type or a direct view type endoscope which is used not only for examining the inner portion of stomachs and bowels, but also for cutting out or treating polyps on the wall of stomachs and bowels by an extractor... | 02/26/1980 |
| 3963438 | Method of sterilizing a fiberoptic proctoscope A sterilization method for fiberoptic scopes for proctologic use having a hand-eye piece and an elongated flexible body member having an open end, an exterior surface and an interior first fluid conveying channel comprising the steps of immersing said fle... | 06/15/1976 |
