Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope and a disposable protection cover for covering the endoscope and provided with at least one channel tube. The endoscope has an insertion section which is insertable into a cavity to be inspected, and an operation section connected to a proximal end of the insertion section. The channel tube is arranged relative to the protection cover with a first layout at the operation section and at the proximal end of the protection cover, and with a second layout at the distal end of the protection cover to provide a natural operation feel. A package cover assembly includes package covers for covering the protection cover and the operation section of the endoscope, respectively, and these package covers are detachably attached to a mouthpiece at the proximal end of the insertion section.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus including an insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity, and a tip structure constituting a tip portion of the insertion portion. A tip cover is detachably mounted on the tip structure from a side of a tip portion of the tip structure such that the tip cover covers the tip structure. An engagement mechanism is provided on the insertion portion for detachably engaging the tip cover, and a hard finger driven engaging/disengaging member is provided on an outer periphery of a portion of the insertion portion which is located in the vicinity of the engagement mechanism.

Abstract: An endoscope system for use in an endoscopic procedure including a plurality of endoscopes each having an insertion section to be inserted into a cavity under inspection and an operation section to which the insertion section is connected, and a plurality of disposable protection covers each having an insertion section cover for covering said insertion section of the endoscope and an operation section cover for covering said operation section of the endoscope. The operation section of the endoscope is provided with angle knobs for bending a distal end of the insertion section into a desired direction and said angle knobs are detachably secured to a shaft. In said operation section cover, there is formed an aperture through which said shaft is protruded from the operation section cover. All the angle knobs and shafts of all the endoscopes are constructed such that all the angle knobs can be detachably secured to any of the shafts.

Abstract: The present invention is an endoscopic over-tube for receiving and guiding medical instrumentation into the upper alimentary canal of a patient. The endoscopic over-tube has a bite block for insertion and retention in the mouth of the patient. The endoscopic over-tube also has a flexible protective sheath engaging the bite block and adapted for insertion into the upper alimentary canal of the patient. The sheath includes a stiffened region that insulates the posterior wall of the patient's pharynx from medical instrumentation as the medical instrumentation is intubated through the sheath and into the patient's alimentary canal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoscopic sheath for protecting and/or changing an angle of view of an endoscope. The sheath has a distal portion configured to engage a distalmost portion of an endoscope imaging optics. The distal portion houses structure for changing the angle of view of an endoscope. In a preferred embodiment, this structure includes a prism. The distal portion may additionally house structure for changing the angle of illumination of an illumination portion of an endoscope. This structure may be a prism or a curved light guide or at least one angled optical fiber. Both the structure for changing the angle of view of an endoscope and the optical member for changing the angle of illumination of an endoscope may be positioned within the distal portion to align with the respective imaging or illumination elements of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: an endoscope having an insertion section; and a sheath attached thereto so as to cover at least the insertion section of the endoscope, wherein the endoscope apparatus is equipped with: a forward end gap portion formed between the inner surface of an edge portion formed in the forward end portion of the sheath and the outer surface of the forward end portion of the insertion section of the endoscope; and a fluid passage which communicates with the forward end gap portion and which is formed between the inner surface of the sheath and the outer surface of the insertion section of the endoscope, and wherein a liquid feeding passage or a suction passage for passing a cleaning fluid or a sucked object is provided in the fluid passage, and a nozzle section for spraying the cleaning fluid onto an observation window portion in the forward end portion of the insertion section of the endoscope is provided in the forward end gap portion.

Abstract: An endoscope system detachably provided with a cover endoscope possible of being fitted with a cover and used by covering its outer surface with the cover and a coverless endoscope used without being fitted with the cover. A display range and a visual field range of an image that are obtained in the cover endoscope have substantially the same configurations as those of a display range and a visual field range of an image that are obtained in the coverless endoscope.

Abstract: An covered endoscope type of endoscopic apparatus has a covered endoscope and a cover for covering the covered endoscope. The covered endoscope has an elongated flexible inserted portion, an operated portion formed on the base end side of the inserted portion, and a universal cord extending from a side portion of the operated portion. The cover is formed of an inserted portion cover member, an operated portion cover member and a cord cover which cover the inserted portion, the operated portion and the universal cord of the covered endoscope, respectively. An operated endoscope portion fixation mouth member having a forceps inlet and an expansion tube mouth to which an expansion tube provided on an expander is connected is provided at a base end of the inserted portion cover member. An air supply tube, a water supply tube and an aspiration tube are inserted through the inserted portion cover member, the operated portion cover member and the cord cover.

Abstract: In an endoscope cover-sheathed endoscope which is used for endoscopic examination with an insertional part of an endoscope sheathed with an endoscope cover, the surfaces of the insertional part, operational part, and universal cord of the endoscope are all structured to tightly shut out water. Even when contaminated, the endoscope can be immersed in chemical and thus disinfected effortlessly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoscopic sheath for protecting and/or changing an angle of view of an endoscope. The sheath has a distal portion configured to engage a distalmost portion of an endoscope imaging optics. The distal portion houses structure for changing the angle of view of an endoscope. In a preferred embodiment, this structure includes a prism. The distal portion may additionally house structure for changing the angle of illumination of an illumination portion of an endoscope. This structure may be a prism or a curved light guide or at least one angled optical fiber. Both the structure for changing the angle of view of an endoscope and the optical member for changing the angle of illumination of an endoscope may be positioned within the distal portion to align with the respective imaging or illumination elements of the endoscope.

Abstract: A disposable endoscopic sleeve adapted for receiving and gripping a medical probe is provided. The endoscopic sleeve includes an elongated flexible sleeve which slides over a probe and structure for gripping the probe. The elongated flexible sleeve is formed of thin-walled corrugated synthetic resin material and presents opposed axial ends. The axial ends are connected by a hollow passageway extending between the ends. The hollow passageway presents an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of a medical probe for receiving a medical probe in the hollow passageway. When an examiner grips the sleeve, the thin-walled sleeve collapses to engage and grip the medical probe. A pair of flange members are coupled to the axial ends of the sleeve for positioning the endoscopic sleeve adjacent a patient and for preventing the sleeve from becoming contaminated by blood, body fluids, or human excrement.

Abstract: An endoscope has a fiber optic image bundle which is insertible into a separate sterile sleeve such that the fiber optic image bundle need not be sterilized prior to use. A window formed proximate the distal end of the sleeve facilitates viewing through the fiber optic image bundle. A contractile member urges the fiber optic image bundle into abutment with the window to facilitate proper optical alignment of the distal end of the fiber optic image bundle with the window.

Abstract: An insert cover portion having channels including an air-supply tubular passage, a water-supply tubular passage and a suction tubular passage sidewards extending from a joint adjacent to an operator in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the insert cover portion, the insert cover portion having channels further including an external tubular passage extending outwardly. The insert cover portion has the operation facility realized by considering to prevent hindering of the operation by various tubular passages extending from the joint.

Abstract: A cover type endoscope apparatus including an endoscope cover and an endoscope to be covered which is used by being inserted into the endoscope cover. The endoscope cover can be used in common for covering a plurality of endoscopes to be covered having different lengths without changing the length of the cover.

Abstract: In an endoscope system including an endoscope having an insertion section insertable into a cavity under inspection and an operation section having at least one operation switch, said operation section being connected to a proximal end of said insertion section and a disposable protection cover having an insertion section cover for covering said insertion section of the endoscope and an operation section cover for covering said operation section of the endoscope, said insertion section cover includes a forceps channel through which existing forceps for use in ordinary without-cover endoscopes can be inserted. An inner diameter of the forceps channel is determined to be slightly larger than an outer diameter of most frequently used forceps or standard forceps whose number shows a peak in the outer diameter series of the forceps.

Abstract: In an endoscope system including an endoscope having an insertion section to be inserted into a cavity under inspection, a bending portion which is provided in said insertion section near a distal end thereof and is bendable in at least two different directions and an operation section to which a proximal end of the insertion section is connected and a disposable protection cover having an insertion section cover for covering said insertion section of the endoscope and having formed therein an insertion section inserting channel into which said insertion section of the endoscope is insertable and at least one conduit channel, said insertion section and bending portion of the endoscope are formed to have a non-circular lateral cross section, a direction in which said non-circular cross section has a larger size is aligned with a direction in which said bending portion is bent by a maximum bending angle or a direction in which said non-circular cross section has a smaller size is aligned with a direction in whi

Abstract: A continuous vent for an endoscope which always allows flow of gas in order to prevent damaging differential pressures and always prevents entry of liquid into the endoscope. A barrier for this purpose overlays a vent port and is held in place by a ring-shaped spacer which with an overhanging shoulder leaves a limited space for flow of fluid and excludes most particulates from the barrier. The barrier maybe an assortment of hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers.

Abstract: A cover-type endoscope apparatus comprising an endoscope cover and a covering endoscope used by inserting said covering endoscope into the endoscope cover. A display means for indicating a fitness of the endoscope cover and the covering endoscope is provided on either the endoscope cover or the covering endoscope.

Abstract: A covering endoscope having a curving portion composed of a plurality of curving pieces and an observation optical system and an endoscope cover having an inserting path for inserting the endoscope and a contained unit provided along the inserting path. A side of the curving pieces facing the contained unit is formed of flat surfaces and a coupling portion coupling adjacent ones of the curving pieces are provided in a position near the flat surfaces from a center of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus of an endoscope cover type using an endoscope cover comprises an endoscope having a long and narrow insertion tube, and an endoscope cover covering at least an endoscope insertion tube. In the endoscope apparatus, flexibility varies in a direction of a longitudinal axis of at least one of the endoscope and the endoscope cover.

Abstract: A covered endoscope system according to the present invention comprises a cover and a coverable endoscope to be inserted into the cover for use. Herein, an optical filter is mounted in the distal part of a cover abutting on the front of an observation optical system of the coverable endoscope.

Abstract: A coupling cartridge and end cap for protecting an endoscope from contamination during use. The coupling cartridge provides fluid communication between a pair of external fluid conduits and respective channels formed in an endoscope insertion tube, and between a biopsy channel port projecting from the cartridge and an additional insertion tube channel. In one embodiment, fluid flow through the external fluid conduits is controlled by an external fluid control unit that is electrically controlled by respective switches mounted on the control handle of the endoscope. In another embodiment, fluid flow through the external fluid conduits is controlled by a valve mechanism in the coupling cartridge that is controlled by either an actuator on the cartridge or an actuator on the control handle that is mechanically coupled to the valve mechanism. The coupling cartridge may be removed from endoscope after an endoscopic procedure for disposal or rigorous cleaning.

Abstract: A sanitary protective cover or sheath for the ear canal probe of a tympanic thermometer. The speculum has a generally tubular body portion and an infrared transparent membrane attached to and sealing the forward end of the body portion. While the tubular body portion is being injection molded of plastic material such a polypropylene or polyethylene, a film of a similar plastic material is mated to the forward end of the membrane and is thus severed from the film and one side thereof thermally bonded to the tubular body portion. At the same time a bonding ring of roughly the same diameter as the forward end of the tubular body portion is injection molded. The ring is thermally bonded to the opposite side of the film in alignment with the forward end of the tubular body portion.

Abstract: A cover system endoscope apparatus in which an insert part cover sheath for isolating the insert part of a cover endoscope is airtightly connected to a distal end constructive part of a tip part of an insert part cover. The insert part cover sheath is composed of a soft resin such as polyurethane exhibiting an excellent chemical resistance and a relatively high flexibility. The tip side of the cover sheath is connectively covered on an outer peripheral edge of the rear end of the distal end constructive part. The insert part cover sheath is formed with a forceps inlet on its near-at-hand side. Connected airtightly thereto is an endoscope manipulation part fixing mouth part having an expansion tube mouth for connecting an expansion tube and further a connecting part connected to a cover holding tool. An opening of an endoscope insert channel provided in an interior of the insert part cover sheath is formed on the near-at-hand side of the endoscope manipulation part fixing mouth part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device to allow access of a medical sensor probe to a selected location within a patient's body. A disposable elongated tubular sheath (2) is releasably attached at its closed distal end (10) to the wall of a blood vessel (1) during surgery. The sheath leads out of the patient's body and provides an access path through which a sensor probe, such as an ultrasound probe (3), can be introduced in order to allow monitoring of blood flow within the vessel. The probe can be easily removed and replaced without contamination. When monitoring is complete, the releasable attachment means are operated and the sheath can be pulled out of the patient's body without further surgery.

Abstract: A channel system for use with a conventional endoscope is provided. The system comprises a collapsible access channel that is connected to a first distal end of the endoscope. The collapsible channel includes an access opening communicating between the two ends of the collapsible channel. The endoscope may be provided with a protective sheath and/or an endcap that is integral with the collapsible channel. The collapsible access channel allows a physician to insert functional instruments such as a biopsy device or tubes for supplying air, water, suction and irrigation.

Abstract: A sheath or cover for a laparoscope insertion tube comprises a generally rigid cylindrical wall with a face plate disposed at its distal tip. A grip mechanism at the proximal end of the rigid cylindrical wall is twisted to grip the insertion tube when the sheath is slipped onto it. An elongated tubular drape is formed of a flexible membrane, such as polyethylene film, which is folded back and forth axially on the sheath. A distal end of the drape is attached to the grip mechanism, and a proximal end is bonded to a rigid or semi-rigid tubular oversleeve. The drape is extended proximally for surgery to cover the handle and umbilical of the laparoscope. After the surgical procedure the drape is extended distally. This uncovers the umbilical and handle as well as the grip mechanism, and covers the rigid cylindrical wall of the sheath. This also inverts the drape so that all contaminated surfaces are facing inward.

Abstract: In an endoscope system including an endoscope having an insertion section insertable into a cavity under inspection and an operation section to which a proximal end of the insertion section is connected, and a disposable protection cover having an insertion section cover for covering the insertion section of the endoscope and an operation section cover for covering said operation section of the endoscope, said operation section cover is constructed such that it can be commonly used to cover operation sections of a plurality of endoscopes. Upon removing the insertion section of the endoscope from the insertion section cover, the insertion section section cover is supported by a supporting apparatus including a proximal end supporting unit for supporting a proximal end of the insertion section cover and a distal end supporting unit for supporting a distal end of the insertion section cover.

Abstract: An endoscopic sheath assembly having an endoscope tube and a plurality of working channels, wherein the endoscope tube is adapted to receive and tightly surround a flexible, elongated endoscope that has a neutral bending plane. Working channels, including a biopsy channel, an air channel, and a water channel, are disposed within and substantially parallel to the endoscope tube along its length radially outward of the neutral bending plane of the endoscope. The biopsy, air, and water channels each have proximal sections and expansion sections. The suction channel has a proximal section comprising a lubricious inner tube forming a lubricious inner lumen, and a kink resistant outer tube bonded to the inner tube. The expansion section of the biopsy channel has a close pitch, axially wound, flat wire spring tightly surrounded by an extruded elastomeric material that is adapted to maintain radial compression force on the spring member.

Abstract: The sheath according to the present invention comprises the hard sheath member which can cover the entire hard insertion tube of the hard endoscope and the soft sheath member. So, when the hard insertion tube is inserted into the body cavity of a patient, it will not possibly be contaminated with the blood, bacteria or the like. The hard insertion tube can be used for a next endoscopy without the necessity of sterilization or disinfection. Also according to the present invention, the soft sheath member is fitted closely over the controller, so that the controller can be operated from outside the soft sheath member without any direct contact with the controller. The controller may not be sterilized or disinfected for a next use of the hard endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope cover system endoscope to be used in an endoscope inspection including an endoscope having an elongate inserted part provided with a curvable curving part and an operating part provided with a curving operating knob curving operating the curving part and a channeled endoscope cover having an inserted part cover provided with an endoscope inserting channel through which the inserted part is inserted and such fluid tube path through which a fluid flows as an air feeding tube path so that, when the curving part is curved close to the maximum curvature angle in the maximum curvature angle direction by operating the curving operating knob, the fluid tube path within the inserted part cover will be curved and twisted to move outside in the maximum curvature angle direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoscope cover-sheathed endoscope having an endoscope in which an insertional part is extending from an operational part, and an endoscope cover made up of an insertional part cover, an operational part cover, and a universal cord cover, which shield the endoscope and are concatenated in that order from the distal end of the endoscope.The operational part cover overlaps and shields the margin of the insertional part cover, while the operational part cover overlaps and shields the margin of the universal cord cover. The endoscope will not therefore be bared.The proximal portion of an insertional part cover skin of the insertional part cover, which shields the insertional part and consists of a distal part, an insertional part cover skin, and an operational endoscope cover locking cap, is formed as a rigid skin made of Teflon, urethane, or other resin having such rigidity that will not cause a damage resulting from friction with other member, for example, a rigid sheath.

Abstract: An endoscope cover-sheathed endoscope is composed of an endoscope having an elongated insertional part that is inserted into a living body, and an endoscope cover including an insertional part cover in which an endoscope insertion channel into which the elongated insertional part is inserted is formed. A tube cap with which the terminal of a tube, which communicates with the endoscope insertion channel and feeds air to the endoscope insertion channel in order to enable insertion or removal of the insertional part into or from the endoscope insertion channel, is coupled is shielded with a cap cover, thus preventing spread of contamination.

Abstract: A disposable sheath (10) for a medical scope (11) and having a flexible, elongated body portion (13) formed from a translucent plastic material (15) with a rough-textured interior surface (19) and a flexible, transparent tip portion (22). The rough-textured interior surface includes projections (18) that result from a plurality of indentations (17) formed in the exterior surface (16) of the body portion of the sheath. The translucent plastic material of the body portion is bonded to the transparent tip portion of the sheath by high frequency heat sealing, which is pathogen impermeable. The plastic materials of the sheath are also pathogen impermeable. In one embodiment, the tip portion (46) of the sheath (33) is formed from a flat, foldable sheet (48) of plastic material. The lateral edges (51, 52) of the foldable sheet are heat sealed to each other, and the proximal edges (49, 50) are heat sealed to the distal end (47) of the body portion (35) of the sheath.