Patents by Inventor Teruo Ouchi

Teruo Ouchi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Drainage tube indwelling device for endoscope
    Patent number: 6395003
    Abstract: A drainage tube indwelling device for an endoscope is provided with a drainage tube formed of insulating material, a guide wire formed of electrically conductive material, a connector that connects the guide wire with a high-frequency power source, and a fixing device capable of fixing the drainage tube with respect to the guide wire. The drainage tube is longer than a length of a treatment insertion channel of the endoscope, and the guide wire is longer than the drainage tube. The guide wire is slidably inserted in the drainage tube so that a distal end portion of the guide wire can be protruded from a distal end of the drainage tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Endoscope for ultrasonic examination and surgical treatment associated thereto
    Patent number: 6390973
    Abstract: In an endoscope for ultrasonic examination, an optical examination mechanism is provided on a distal end of an insertion portion of the endoscope for endoscopic examination forwardly of the insertion portion. A probe insertion channel is disposed along the insertion portion so that a ultrasonic probe is passed therethrough. A probe guiding mechanism is disposed in the insertion portion to guide a distal end of the ultrasonic probe to project from the distal end of the insertion portion laterally of the distal end of the insertion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Method for manufacturing endoscopic biopsy forceps cup
    Patent number: 6378351
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a biopsy forceps cup for an endoscope in which a spoon-shaped forceps cup is formed by drawing a metal plate blank by a press, includes forming a first cut on the metal plate blank, wherein the first cut surrounds a contour of a portion of the metal plate blank defining a forceps cup blank corresponding to the forceps cup, the first cut being discontinued by a plurality of first connection portions; forming a second cut on the metal plate blank, wherein the second cut surrounds the first cut, the second cut being discontinued by a plurality of second connection portions; and carrying out a drawing operation on the metal plate blank while each of the first and second connection portions remain connected with respective neighboring portions defined by each respective the first and second cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruo Ouchi, Masaru Nagamine
  • Treating instrument for endoscope
    Patent number: 6375650
    Abstract: A treating instrument for an endoscope includes a flexible sheath removably inserted into an instrument-inserting channel of the endoscope. A treating member is provided at the distal end of the flexible sheath to perform a treatment for an affected part or the like. The firmness of the flexible sheath in the vicinity of the distal end thereof is varied between a forward end portion extending a distance approximately equal to an extent to which the flexible sheath is projected from the instrument-inserting channel and a rear portion adjacent to the forward end portion so that the forward end portion is firmer than the rear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Retrieval basket device for an endoscope
    Publication number: 20020042617
    Abstract: A retrieval basket device includes a flexible sheath, a control wire which is inserted in the flexible sheath to be movable therein along an axis of the flexible sheath, and a basket constructed from a plurality of resilient wires and connected to a distal end of the control wire, wherein advancing and retreating movements of the control wire in the flexible sheath cause the basket to project out of, and retract into, a distal end of the flexible sheath whereby the basket bulges and narrows, respectively. The plurality of resilient wires are positioned at non-uniform angular intervals as viewed from the axial direction of the control wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Tip portion of an endoscope
    Publication number: 20020035311
    Abstract: In an endoscope, an aspirated mucosa movement regulating portion (11) is provided in a position intermediate between the distal end and the bottom of a tip hood (10) for ensuring that the mucous membrane aspirated from the distal end of the tip hood (10) toward an aspiration port (4) will not get to viewing window (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Probe of endoscope
    Publication number: 20020032372
    Abstract: A probe of an endoscope comprises a light guide fiber bundle and an image guide fiber bundle. The light guide fiber bundle supplies illumination light to the distal end of the probe, to illuminate the observed object. The illumination light is reflected by the observed object, and enters the end surface of the image guide fiber bundle. When the radius of the image guide fiber bundle is a, the radius of the light guide fiber bundle is b, and the inner radius of the probe is 1, a and b satisfy the following conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Spray device for an endoscope
    Patent number: 6354519
    Abstract: A spray device used for an endoscope, the spray device having a liquid transfer tube and a spray nozzle connected to a distal end of the liquid transfer tube, includes at least one spiral guide channel; a liquid whirling chamber positioned in front of at least one spiral guide channel to be connected to an outlet thereof; and an orifice formed at a center of a front inner surface of the liquid whirling chamber. The front inner surface includes a concave surface, and the concave surface is formed so that the orientation of a tangential plane at a point on the front inner surface becomes closer to the orientation of a plane normal to the axis of the spray nozzle as the point on the front inner surface approaches the axis of the spray nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Kidooka, Teruo Ouchi
  • Probe of endoscope
    Publication number: 20020026100
    Abstract: A probe of an endoscope comprises a light guide fiber bundle and an image guide fiber bundle. The light guide fiber bundle supplies illumination light to the distal end of the probe, to illuminate the observed object. The illumination light is reflected by the observed object, and enters the end surface of the image guide fiber bundle. A ratio of an illumination sectional area of the light guide fiber bundle to a light receiving sectional area of the image guide fiber bundle is made equal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Endoscopic treatment instrument
    Publication number: 20020026178
    Abstract: In an endoscopic treatment instrument, a flexible tube has an area (A) which is to be located within an curved area (13) of an endoscope and which has a flattened cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Tip of ultrasonic endoscope
    Patent number: 6338717
    Abstract: A radially scanning, annular ultrasonic oscillator array is provided in a tip body of an endoscope so as to be arranged about the longitudinal axis of the tip body. A first treatment tool projection port is provided in the tip body and opens at a location longitudinally forward from a location where the annular ultrasonic oscillator array is provided. A second treatment tool projection port is provided to the tip body and opens at a location longitudinally rearward from the location where the annular ultrasonic oscillator array is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Endoscopic piercing instrument
    Publication number: 20010053918
    Abstract: An endoscopic piercing instrument has a needle tube and a flexible sheath. At least those portions of the needle tube and the flexible sheath which are in the neighborhood of their distal ends are each formed of a super-elastic alloy pipe which remains almost straight when left as it is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: ASHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Treating instrument for endoscope
    Publication number: 20010051812
    Abstract: An endoscopic treating instrument has a flexible sheath made of a super-elastic alloy pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Treating instrument for endoscope
    Patent number: 6328731
    Abstract: A treating instrument for an endoscope has a flexible sheath and an operating part connected to the proximal end of the flexible sheath. A first buckling preventing member formed from a flexible cylindrical material covers a proximal end portion of the flexible sheath. One end of the first buckling preventing member is secured to the operating part. A second buckling preventing member formed from a flexible cylindrical material overlaps the first buckling preventing member at a region extending from an intermediate position on the first buckling preventing member to the proximal end thereof. One end of the second buckling preventing member is secured to the operating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Endoscopic manipulating wire coupling structure
    Publication number: 20010041912
    Abstract: An endoscopic manipulating wire coupling structure is constructed such that an end of a manipulating wire (2) consisting of two or more twisted strands (2a) is inserted into an opening in a mating member (7) which is plastically deformed from the outer circumference inward so that it is securely pressed against the manipulating wire (2). At least that portion of the mating member (7) which is fitted over the manipulating wire (2) is formed of a material softer than the manipulating wire (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Wire loop type instrument for endoscope and method of producing the same
    Patent number: 6299612
    Abstract: A wire loop type instrument for an endoscope has a control wire axially movably inserted in a flexible sheath, and a wire loop connected to the distal end of the control wire. The wire loop is formed by an elastic wire. When the control wire is advanced, the wire loop projects from the distal end of the flexible sheath and expands in a loop shape by its own elasticity. When the control wire is retracted, the wire loop is pulled into the distal end of the flexible sheath and folded. The elastic wire is a stranded wire formed by twisting together a plurality of thin metal wires. The control wire is formed by twisting together a pair of elastic wires extending from the rear end of the wire loop in the opposite direction to the direction of twist of each elastic wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Assist tool for inserting a treatment tool into an endoscope, and a treatment tool to be used in the same
    Patent number: 6299576
    Abstract: An assist tool, which is used to insert a treatment tool used with an endoscope, includes a treatment tool port, an endoscope-connecting portion, and a flexible tube. The treatment tool port is used for inserting the treatment tool into the flexible tube. The endoscope-connecting portion connects the assist tool to the treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope. The flexible tube connects the treatment tool port to the endoscope-connecting portion. The treatment tool port is formed in an end portion on an operator-side of the assist tool. The endoscope-connecting portion is formed at a tip end of the assist tool. A slit continuously elongates from the treatment tool port to at least a portion of the flexible tube that is located in a vicinity of the endoscope-connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Miniature rope
    Publication number: 20010025475
    Abstract: A miniature rope formed of metal includes: a core wire; and a plurality of surrounding wires wound around the core wire so as to form a stranded wire as a whole, wherein the core wire is formed of a material whose characteristics differ from those of the surrounding wires. Specifically, the core wire may be a tungsten wire, a superelastic alloy wire, or a nickel-titanium alloy wire, while the surrounding wires may be stainless steel wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Endoscopic treatment instrument
    Publication number: 20010021860
    Abstract: In an endoscopic treatment instrument, a distal end of manipulating wire (2) extending from the distal end of sheath (1) is provided with large-diameter portion (20) that is large enough to be incapable of passing through engagement through-hole (7) in the plate portion (5) of actuating member, and the manipulating wire (2) as passed through the engagement hole (7) until the large-diameter portion (20) contacts one end of the engagement hole (7) is bent back toward the distal end of the sheath (1) at the other end of each engagement hole (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi
  • Endoscopic foreign body retrieving tool
    Publication number: 20010021842
    Abstract: Each of foreign body catching arms 3 has an intermediate curved portion 3a formed midway which, upon contact with the inner peripheral surface of sheath 1, undergoes elastic deformation such that the distal end portions 3b of foreign body catching arms 3 are forced to spread wider than when they are in a free state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Applicant: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Teruo Ouchi