Abstract: A thin-walled polymeric component that may have a selected complex shape, and a method of forming the component. The method includes heating a portion of a polymeric film to a selected malleable temperature, and forming a protrusion in the heated portion while it is malleable. The protrusion defines a protrusion having a first shape. The method also includes positioning a forming tool in the protrusion's interior and drawing a partial vacuum from within the protrusion so as to exert a force on the protrusion and move the protrusion's sidewalls inwardly into engagement with the forming tool. As the partial vacuum is drawn, the protrusion moves to a second shape that may be different than the first shape and that closely conforms to the selected shape of the forming tool. The protrusion is cooled below the malleable temperature and the forming tool is then removed.

Abstract: A thin-walled polymeric component that may have a selected complex shape, and a method of forming the component. The method includes heating a portion of a polymeric film to a selected malleable temperature, and forming a protrusion in the heated portion while it is malleable. The protrusion defines a protrusion having a first shape. The method also includes positioning a forming tool in the protrusion's interior and drawing a partial vacuum from within the protrusion so as to exert a force on the protrusion and move the protrusion's sidewalls inwardly into engagement with the forming tool. As the partial vacuum is drawn, the protrusion moves to a second shape that may be different than the first shape and that closely conforms to the selected shape of the forming tool. The protrusion is cooled below the malleable temperature and the forming tool is then removed.

Abstract: A thin-walled polymeric component that may have a selected complex shape, and a method of forming the component. The method includes heating a portion of a polymeric film to a selected malleable temperature, and forming a protrusion in the heated portion while it is malleable. The protrusion defines a protrusion having a first shape. The method also includes positioning a forming tool in the protrusion's interior and drawing a partial vacuum from within the protrusion so as to exert a force on the protrusion and move the protrusion's sidewalls inwardly into engagement with the forming tool. As the partial vacuum is drawn, the protrusion moves to a second shape that may be different than the first shape and that closely conforms to the selected shape of the forming tool. The protrusion is cooled below the malleable temperature and the forming tool is then removed.

Abstract: An endoscopic assembly usable with an external first location indicator to assist an operator in positioning a distal end of the assembly at a desired location within a patient and creating a partial vacuum at or collecting a sample from the desired location during an endoscopic procedure, and a method for creating a partial vacuum at or collecting a sample from the desired location within the patient, are shown and described. In one embodiment, the endoscopic assembly has an elongated member and a second position indicator component. The elongated member has a distal end configured to be inserted into the patient and a proximal end portion. A bore extends from the proximal end portion of the elongated member to its distal end. The second position indicator component is sized to slidably engage the bore of the elongated member. The operator can manipulate the second position indicator component to move the position indicator component between first and second positions.

Abstract: A sheath for use with an endoscope having a flexible insertion tube to isolate at least a portion of the insertion tube from an external environment, and to alter the bending characteristics of at least a portion of the insertion tube, is shown and described. The sheath includes a compliant tube and an elongated shape-retaining member attached to the compliant tube. The compliant tube has a proximal end having an interior area configured to receive a first portion of the flexible insertion tube. The shape-retaining member extends axially along a second portion of the flexible insertion tube when the first portion of the flexible insertion tube is positioned in the interior area of the compliant tube. The shape-retaining member is sufficiently stiff to remain in a selected shape or position, and to retain the second portion of the flexible insertion tube in the selected shape or position.

Abstract: An endoscope for use with an elastomeric sheath for performing an endoscopic procedure. The endoscope includes a body, an insertion tube extending away from the body and terminating at a distal end portion, and a sheath retainer connected to the distal end portion of the insertion tube for releasably retaining the sheath on the insertion tube in a substantially fixed position during the endoscopic procedure. The sheath is an elastomeric member movable between a radially expanded position and a contracted position, and the sheath is biased toward the contracted position. The sheath retainer is a generally C-shaped member having a pair of retaining tabs spaced apart from each other and extending away from an outer surface of the insertion tube's distal end portion to define a working channel retaining area therebetween.

Abstract: An endoscope sheath assembly usable within an elongated flexible endoscope to isolate a portion of the endoscope from an external environment during a therapeutic or diagnostic endoscopic procedure. The sheath assembly has a sheath with an elongated flexible endoscope tube, a plurality of working channels extending the endoscope tube, and a low-friction, fabric isolating sleeve positioned within the endoscope tube and surrounding portions of the working channels. The isolating sleeve includes first and second sleeve lumens formed therein through which respective working channels extend. The coefficient of friction between the isolating sleeve and the working channels is less than the coefficient of friction between the working channels themselves so that working channels are frictionally isolated from each other, from the endoscope tube, and from the insertion tube to reduce resistance to articulation of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscopic sheath support assembly for supporting a sheath in a substantially fixed position for installation and removal of an endoscope insertion tube. The support assembly has an elongated rigid support tube with an interior area, and the sheath is in the interior area. The support tube is releasably connectable to a vacuum source to create a partial vacuum to expand the sheath. The distal end of the support tube has a pair of opposing openings that are adjacent to the distal end of the sheath when the sheath is positioned in the support tube. A resilient sheath retaining sleeve sealably covers the opposing openings. The resilient sheath retaining sleeve is movable by the partial vacuum to a retaining position wherein portions of the sleeve extend through the openings and engage the distal end of the sheath to retain the distal end of the sheath in a substantially fixed position relative to the support tube.

Abstract: An endoscope for use with an elastomeric sheath for performing an endoscopic procedure. The endoscope includes a body, an insertion tube extending away from the body and terminating at a distal end portion, and a sheath retainer connected to the distal end portion of the insertion tube for releasably retaining the sheath on the insertion tube in a substantially fixed position during the endoscopic procedure. The sheath is an elastomeric member movable between a radially expanded position and a contracted position, and the sheath is biased toward the contracted position. The sheath retainer is a generally C-shaped member having a pair of retaining tabs spaced apart from each other and extending away from an outer surface of the insertion tube's distal end portion to define a working channel retaining area therebetween.