Endoscope with gas-tight cap permitting pressurization
Patent 4241729 Issued on December 30, 1980. Estimated Expiration Date: 
July 21, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
July 21, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 1335073 2761311 3023607 3425419 3690769 3866599 Method for cleaning disposable suction catheters Method of sterilizing a fiberoptic proctoscope Flexible light guide Tubular medical instrument having a flexible sheath with cuffs Patent #: 4066070 InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 05/926748 filed on 07/21/1978US Classes:600/133, Sterilizable356/241.1Bore inspection (e.g., borescopes, intrascope, etc.)ExaminersPrimary: Michell, Robert W.Assistant: Tayon, Jeffrey W. Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassesA61B 1/00 (20060101)A61B 1/12 (20060101) Foreign Application Priority Data1977-08-04 JPAbstractThe present invention discloses herewith an endoscope by which pressurized air is led into an inner portion of the endoscope. A plug of a light-transmitting optic bundle tube which communicates with the inner portion is covered, partially or totally, by a gas-tight cap which has a pressure inlet. The pressurized air is led from the pressure inlet into the inner portion of the endoscope through a terminal part or a gap of the plug.By these provisions, an internal pressure of the endoscope is raised to an extent not smaller than the external pressure of a cleanser in order to prevent the cleanser from flowing into the inner portion of the endoscope when washing and/or sterilizing a non-waterproof endoscope. In addition, a pinhole on a flexible sheath can easily be detected by testing a leakage of the pressurized air as for a waterproof endoscope. | |
