With Valve Construction Or Valve Control Means Patents (Class 600/159)
  • Patent number: 11937773
    Abstract: An endoscope including: a handle, a distal tip unit, an endoscope shaft connecting the handle and the distal tip unit, a working channel provided in the endoscope shaft, and a suction valve configured to control a suction through the working channel and having a valve closed state and a valve open state. The suction valve includes a housing having an inlet opening connected to the working channel and an outlet opening; and a piston unit inserted in the housing. The piston unit comprises a movable piston, a button attached to the piston, a fixation ring arranged stationary in the housing and a spring arranged and acting between the fixation ring and the button or piston. The button is a one-piece or integral part having an integrated sealing portion contacting the housing and providing a sealing between the button and the housing in the valve open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: AMBU A/S
    Inventor: David Busch
  • Patent number: 11930998
    Abstract: A vent control valve for an endoscope includes a shaft body including a pin fixing portion, and a vent hole including a long hole with an opening provided in one end surface, and a long hole communication hole configured to cause an outside and an inside of the long hole to communicate with each other, a tubular member including a shaft body hole configured to house the shaft body, and a cam groove in which the cam pin is disposed, a rotational member including a tubular member hole where the tubular member is disposed, a cam pin groove where the cam pin is disposed, and a plurality of engaging holes, and a cylindrical housing member including an attaching portion fixedly provided in a casing through-hole, and a housing hole communicating with the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11602261
    Abstract: An endoscope button for an endoscope including a cylinder communicating with tubes includes: a first unit and a second unit that are attachable and detachable with respect to a fitting part fixed to the cylinder, and that are separable from each other in a state being removed from the fitting part. The first unit has a cylindrical shape, and includes a cylindrical member that is attachable and detachable with respect to the fitting part. The second unit includes: a fixing member that is inserted inside the cylindrical member in a state in which the endoscope button is attached to the fitting part, and is fixed to the cylindrical member; and a first movable member that is installed movably with respect to the fixing member, and that is movable back and forth inside the cylinder in the state in which the endoscope button is attached to the fitting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuko Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 11547782
    Abstract: A system includes an endoscope defining a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated shaft extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the endoscope. A fluid collecting sheath defines a proximal end and a distal end. The fluid collecting sheath is configured for insertion into a vaginal opening. The fluid collecting sheath includes fluid collecting apertures defined at the distal end of the fluid collecting sheath. A fluid line is in fluid communication with the fluid collecting apertures. A channel is formed in the fluid collecting sheath. The channel extends between the proximal end and the distal end of the fluid collecting sheath. The channel defines an opening therein. The channel of the fluid collecting sheath is configured to operably engage the elongated shaft of the endoscope by passing the elongated shaft of the endoscope through the opening of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Nikolai D. Begg
  • Patent number: 11439373
    Abstract: An endoscopic shaft assembly includes: an elongate outer shaft; and an outer housing coupled to a proximal portion of the elongate outer shaft. The outer housing includes: a tubular wall defining a cavity; and a shaft plunger disposed within the cavity and configured to move axially within at least a portion of the cavity along a travel path. The shaft plunger includes a collar. The collar is configured to be separated from the tubular wall along a first travel portion of the travel path and to contact the tubular wall along a second travel portion of the travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Encheng Hu, Xiaolin Sang, Xin Yue
  • Patent number: 11344187
    Abstract: An endoscope valve switches connection states of a plurality of conduits formed in an endoscope to supply air or water, and includes: a cap; a rod-shaped shaft; and an attachment member into which the shaft is inserted. The shaft includes a main body portion including a hole portion having a hollow space extending along the longitudinal direction from another end which is a side opposite to a side of the one end, and a check valve configured to control a flow of a fluid in a space extending along the longitudinal direction from between the shaft and the attachment member. The check valve surrounds an outer surface of the main body portion, is exposed to an outside of the main body portion via the hole portion, has a diameter forming an outer periphery which increases toward a side of the other end, and is elastically deformable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuya Saiga
  • Patent number: 11300216
    Abstract: A medical cleaning valve (or cleaning valve) may be configured to provide cleaning functionality to fluid (e.g., air and water) channels of an endoscope. Many embodiments described herein may include a cleaning valve (or valve) that is appropriate for single-use and therefore may be disposable. Accordingly, the valve may be made from a limited number of parts and materials, e.g., to limit its cost and/or manufacturing complexity. For example, multiple seals may be integrally formed with a valve stem. In another example, the valve may have an interface member, which may combine and simplify the functionality of a number of components, such as by connecting the valve stem to a valve well, sealing an opening to a lumen in the valve stem, and/or biasing the valve stem into a position relative to the valve well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Colby Harris, Larry E. Stanton
  • Patent number: 11230054
    Abstract: An assembly for performing an additive manufacturing process includes a first material feed for dispensing a first material, a second material feed for dispensing a second material, a material combiner chamber, a first entry channel fluidly connecting the first material feed and the material combiner chamber, and a second entry channel fluidly connecting the second material feed and the material combiner chamber. The assembly further includes a pen tip for dispensing a material in the additive manufacturing process, the material comprising the first material and the second material, a valve having a rod, a first seal between the material combiner and the pen tip, and a first actuator for moving the rod back and forth along a longitudinal axis to open and close the first seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: nScrypt, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Church
  • Patent number: 11160446
    Abstract: An arthroscope comprises a sleeve having an internally hollow, proximal portion and an internally hollow middle portion connected to the proximal portion so as to create a through axial cavity. The sleeve has, within the middle portion, an abutment area. The arthroscope also comprises an optical unit having an elongated portion and a coupling portion configured to be at least partially received inside the through axial cavity of the sleeve. The coupling portion has a matching area suitable to couple with the abutment area. The matching area and the abutment area are shaped so as to have at least one pilot element so as to determine a univocal predefined coupling position between the sleeve and the optical unit; the matching area and the abutment area are also shaped so as to guide and automatically place the optical unit in such a predefined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: MEDACTA INTERNATIONAL SA
    Inventors: Francesco Siccardi, Sascha Berberich, Ernst Kehrli
  • Patent number: 10610092
    Abstract: An endoscope unblocking flush system for back flushing a suction lumen of an endoscope includes a flush source providing pressurized water and a valve mechanism to cut off a suction source from the suction lumen and to open the suction lumen to flow of back flush water from the flush source. The valve mechanism includes a valve housing with ports to connect to the suction lumen, the suction source, and the flush source. A valve member within the housing has passages to connect the suction source to the suction lumen in a run state and to connect the flush source to the suction lumen in a flush state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventors: Sharon A Hibbs, James E Hibbs
  • Patent number: 10478322
    Abstract: Devices and methods for transforming a covered retrieval device from a deployed position to a delivery position for re-use are disclose herein. A retractor device may include, for example, a tubular structure defining a channel and configured to slidably receive a retrieval device. A method for transforming a retrieval device may include, for example, (a) positioning a retrieval device in a deployed position within a channel of a retractor device, (b) securing a part of the cover against a surface of the retractor, and (c) while securing the cover, advancing the retrieval device distally through the tubular structure to expose a capture structure of the retrieval device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Francis Bernard, Kenneth Brown
  • Patent number: 10188265
    Abstract: An insertion apparatus includes an elongated inserting section having a curving section, an input section which is provided in an operating section, receives an arbitrary input to curve the curving section in a movable range including a first range that includes the neutral input position and a second range that has an operation amount from the neutral input position exceeding the first range, a first actuator, a detecting section, a second actuator which gives a force towards the neutral position to the input section, and a control section which operates the first actuator and the second actuator, when the input amount to the input section is in the second range, thereby giving a force to the input section so that an input amount to the input section is in the first range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10099848
    Abstract: A food or beverage capsule (200), comprises: •a capsule body (201) comprising a cavity (202) and an open end (204) in communication with the cavity (202); •an injection wall (205) disposed upon the open end (204) so as to enclose the cavity (202), the injection wall (205) thereby comprising an interior side (206) facing the cavity (202); and •a quantity of a food or beverage ingredient disposed within the cavity (202). The capsule (200) further comprises a sealing membrane (207) fabricated from a flexible material and disposed upon the interior side (206) of the injection wall (205), the sealing membrane (207) being attached to the interior side (206) of the injection wall (205) over at least one fixed region (208) of the sealing membrane (207), at least one free region (209) of the sealing membrane (207) extending freely from an edge of said at least one fixed region (208).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe Heydel, Christian Talon
  • Patent number: 10080487
    Abstract: In an endoscopic device insertable into a body cavity attachable elements are moved over one another to move forwardly of each other and to leave each other behind, and to move along different paths so as not to be attached to the same areas of a wall of the body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Motus GI Medical Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Boris Shtul
  • Patent number: 9986899
    Abstract: There is provided herein an integrated manifold for the tip of a multiple viewing elements endoscope which combines the functionalities of the front holder, side holder/cage and fluid channeling components into a single part. The manifold includes square slots that are equipped with tracks. Square shaped lens assemblies having protrusions are used in the endoscope tip, such that the protrusions allow the optical assemblies to slide into the tracks of the square slots. This ensures gapless placement of viewing elements with no deviation in their position and field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: EndoChoice, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeruham Avron, Robby Dascalo
  • Patent number: 9603509
    Abstract: A check valve unit includes a low-strength part and a high-strength part which are provided in the side of a head part of the check valve unit moving and have strength levels which differ from each other. The low-strength part and high-strength part are arranged alternately in circumferential directions of the check valve unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Ando
  • Patent number: 9579116
    Abstract: Axial lengthening thrombus capture systems and methods can remove materials of interest, including blood clots, from a body region. These can involve the circulatory system for the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), cerebrovascular embolism, and other vascular occlusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: KP Medcure, Inc.
    Inventors: Thanh Van Nguyen, Duy Nguyen, Tung Hoang Ngo
  • Patent number: 9413896
    Abstract: Methods and systems for separating an object, such as a lead, from formed tissue are provided. Specifically, a tissue slitting device is configured to engage patient formed tissue at a slitting engagement point. While the object is subjected to a first traction force, the tissue slitting device is caused to move further into the engaged tissue and slit the tissue past the point of engagement. The slitting device causes the tissue to separate along an axial direction of the length of the formed tissue and releases at least some of the force containing the object. The methods and systems are well suited for use in cardiac pacing or defibrillator lead explant procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: The Spectranetics Corporation
    Inventors: Wade A. Bowe, George Woodrow Burton, Paul Joseph Dalby, Ryan Michael Sotak, Matthew Allan James
  • Patent number: 9393001
    Abstract: Disclosed is an operation method of an endoscope, the method comprising: a sheath insertion step of percutaneously inserting at least one sheath in a pericardial cavity of a heart; an insertion step of inserting a rigid scope in the sheath; a view field securing step for securing the view field for a surgical site within the pericardial cavity; a guide step for guiding the rigid scope to the surgical site; and an observation step of observing the surgical site with the rigid scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunichiro Miyoshi, Takehiro Kimura, Yoshiro Okazaki, Masayuki Kobayashi, Michihiro Sugahara
  • Patent number: 9028398
    Abstract: A continuous flow irrigation endoscope and a continuous flow irrigation fluid management system, both designed to be compatible to each other and to function as a single system. The endoscope and the fluid management system are synergistic to each other such that both enhance the efficiency of each other. The invented system allows a body tissue cavity to be distended by continuous flow irrigation so that detached tissue pieces and waste fluid present inside a body tissue cavity are continuously automatically evacuated from the tissue cavity without causing the cavity to collapse at any stage and without the need of withdrawing the endoscope of a part of the endoscope from the tissue cavity. No type of feedback mechanism, such as mechanical or electrical, or valve or valve like systems, are incorporated in the endoscope to influence or facilitate the removal of detached tissue pieces or waste fluid in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventors: Alka Kumar, Atul Kumar
  • Patent number: 9004451
    Abstract: A control valve (8) for a medical suction device (1) is provided, with the control valve (8) having an actuating element for freeing and closing a flow path (15) through a valve chamber (11) through the use of a valve plunger (12). Additional air intake openings (16) are formed on the actuating element (10) and define an additional flow path (21) through the valve chamber (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Schölly Fiberoptic GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Schlenker, Thomas Lietzau, Hartmund Biedermann
  • Publication number: 20150011831
    Abstract: In an endoscopic fluid passage changeover valve unit, a communication passage is formed in a shaft, the communication passage being opened to a hollow portion of a cylinder portion in an inside opening located on an outer peripheral surface of the shaft, and a seal member is provided at an angular position apart from the inside opening in circumferential directions of the cylinder portion. The shaft and the seal member are rotatable relative to the cylinder portion around a movement axis toward a position where a first upstream-side fluid passage is blocked by the seal member and toward a position where the inside opening of the communication passage faces the first upstream-side fluid passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Naoya OUCHI
  • Patent number: 8920456
    Abstract: A vessel harvesting apparatus is provided for removing a vessel from a patient. An endoscopic instrument has a distal end with a vessel harvesting tip and has a proximal end with a handle. The endoscopic instrument has an insufflation channel adapted to receive an insufflation gas from a regulated source at the proximal end. The insufflation channel has an outlet at the distal end adapted to expel the insufflation gas subcutaneously in the patient. A damping device has a flexible bladder with an inside space in fluid communication with the insufflation channel. The inside space has a volume that varies between a rest volume and an inflated volume in response to an amount of insufflation gas flowing to or from the flexible bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Randal J. Kadykowski, Daniel W. Viitala
  • Patent number: 8888689
    Abstract: Systems and methods make use of a view optimizing assembly having a deflector assembly with critical physical, pneumatic, and optical characteristics that make possible intra-operative defogging, surgical debris deflection, and cleaning of a laparoscope lens during minimally invasive surgery, while also maintaining visualization of the surgical site. The view optimizing assembly can incorporate a quick exchange feature, which makes possible a surgical method for maintaining clear visualization that includes the ability to make a quick exchange of laparoscopes having different operating characteristics (e.g., laparoscopes with different tip angles, lengths, or diameters) entirely on the sterile operating field and without interference with the preexisting surgical set-up on the sterile operating field. The view optimizing assembly integrates with the existing suite of minimally invasive instrumentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Minimally Invasive Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne L. Poll, Matthew J. Huddleston, Caroline M. Crisafulli, Adam Landis, Gregory P. Drach
  • Patent number: 8876705
    Abstract: The invention provides a medical endoscope including a control handle (2) provided with a control mechanism and that, by means of an attachment system, is temporarily attached to a consumable medical instrument (3) including: at least one flow circuit for a fluid, a portion of which circuit extends along an insertion tube, the fluid circuit including a connector fitting accessible independently from the handle; an actuation system for actuating the head of the insertion tube, which actuation system is driven by the control mechanism after the handle and the consumable medical instrument have been attached together; in accordance with the invention, the control handle (2) and the consumable medical instrument (3) respectively have a first portion and a second portion of a closure device, which portions co-operate with each other in the attached position to close off at least one fluid flow circuit in controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Axess Vision Technology
    Inventors: Nicolas Mathieu, Olivier Fructus
  • Patent number: 8870756
    Abstract: A hybrid apparatus for delivery of fluid in connection with endoscopic irrigation and lens cleaning including a connector which is adaptable to a flexible or rigid container, a connector arranged at the end thereof and connected via a tubing supply to a fluid, air and or gas source and to an endoscope during a procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ERBE-USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel G. Maurice
  • Patent number: 8852085
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a first instrument defining a first channel and a second instrument receivable by the first channel. The second instrument defines a second channel. A valve coupled to the first instrument controls fluid flow through the first channel, such that impedance of fluid flow through the first channel is substantially the same without the second instrument received in the first channel and with the first channel partially blocked by the second instrument. In another aspect, a surgical apparatus includes an outer member and an inner member received within the outer member to define a first channel therebetween. The inner member houses an optical lens and defines a second channel for receiving a surgical instrument. The first and second channels are configured such that a pump having an inflow rate of up to about 0.7 L/min connected to the second channel can maintain fluid pressure inside an organ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Cemal Shener-Irmakoglu, Christopher R. Newell, Petter Hedstrom, Kenneth W. Krause
  • Publication number: 20140288372
    Abstract: A check valve unit includes a low-strength part and a high-strength part which are provided in the side of a head part of the check valve unit moving and have strength levels which differ from each other. The low-strength part and high-strength part are arranged alternately in circumferential directions of the check valve unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi ANDO
  • Patent number: 8828072
    Abstract: An extendable flushing system, a delivery system including an extendable flushing system and a method of flushing a delivery system are provided. The extendable flushing system includes flexible tubing having an extended configuration and a compressed configuration, a first tubing end and a second tubing end. The extendable flushing system also includes a flush port and a shuttle assembly. The flush port includes a first lumen operably connected to the first tubing end and an opening configured to receive fluid therethrough. The shuttle assembly is operably connected to the second tubing end forming a fluid flow path with the flush port and the shuttle assembly. The shuttle assembly is configured to be fluidly connected to a lumen of an elongate device. The shuttle assembly is movably positionable relative to the flush port and configured to move the flexible tubing between the compressed configuration and the extended configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Grant T. Hoffman, Chase Wooley
  • Patent number: 8821389
    Abstract: An endoscopic aspiration device is mounted on a manipulating head of an endoscope, from which an elongated insertion rod member is extended forward, the endoscopic aspiration device being composed of a valve casing which is mounted on the manipulation head in communication with an aspiration passage running through the insertion rod member, and a valve assembly unit including a valve member, a valve guide member and a connector member attached to the valve guide member to communicate same with a proximal aspiration passage on the side of a suction source. The valve member is put in a sliding displacement along the valve guide member to bring the aspiration passage into and out of communication with the proximal aspiration passage on the side of a suction source. The valve guide member is coupled with the valve casing through a coupling mechanism which permits to turn the valve assembly unit on and relative to the manipulating head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Yamane
  • Patent number: 8790244
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas water bottle adaptor that is suitable for attachment to a water bottle and to a bottle cap. The adaptor can include a gas inlet on one side thereof suitable for attachment to the gas connection of an endoscope. A sealing member can be affixed to the adaptor to prevent leakage of any fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) that is inside of the water bottle. The adaptor may be used in endoscopy methods and is particularly useful for adding a secondary gas source to a water bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Cushner, Kenneth E. Wolcott, Christopher Stebbins, James Burns
  • Patent number: 8764642
    Abstract: A combined tube set for a disposable water bottle for a medical instrument includes a cap with threads suitable for attachment to various water bottles. The combined tube set provides a first tube set for rinsing that includes an air and water tubes, and air/water connector The combined tube set also provides a second tube set for irrigation that includes an irrigation connector, backflow valve(s), and flexible tubing section. In some embodiments, the tube set can provide warm and/or humid gas to the endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Medivators Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Henry Bendele, Christopher Steven Adams, Dina Grudo, Don Byrne, Leon Russ Smith
  • Patent number: 8740776
    Abstract: An endoscopic fluid control apparatus is provided in an endoscope including a channel for performing suction and air-feed, and controls the suction and air-feed for the channel. The endoscopic fluid control apparatus includes air-feed channels which communicate with the one channel, a suction channel which communicates with the one channel, a first valve which is provided on the air-feed channels and opens only during the air-feed, and a second valve which is provided on an operation button to be operated for suction operation, and shuts off communication between one of the air-feed channels and another of the air-feed channels among the air-feed channels into which the operation button is inserted, when the operation button is operated to carry out the suction operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Takanori Ushijima
  • Patent number: 8715165
    Abstract: A seal is provided for effectively inhibiting the egress of fluids from the working channel of an endoscope when an elongate device having a region with a non-circular cross-sectional shape is disposed therein. The seal has a body portion with a proximal end adapted for insertion of the elongate device, a distal end adapted for connection to the proximal end of the endoscope, and a wall defining a lumen adapted to receive the elongate device and to provide access to the working channel of the endoscope. The seal includes a sealing element for sealing the region of the elongate device with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The sealing element conforms to the profile of the non-circular region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Oscar R. Carrillo, Jr., John C. Holmes, Kevin Richardson
  • Patent number: 8702596
    Abstract: A valve apparatus device provides surgical instruments with sealable access to an inlet port of an endoscope instrument channel. The valve has a hollow body with a distal end that releasably attaches to the inlet port, and a flexible diaphragm seal dividing the body into a proximal chamber and a distal chamber. An instrument opening extends through the diaphragm seal for the passage of instruments therethrough, and connects the chambers together. The diaphragm seal is configured to seal with a surgical instrument inserted into the instrument opening. At least one fluid transfer member is provided to fluidly interconnect the proximal chamber to the distal chamber when the surgical instrument is sealed within the instrument opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: United States Endoscopy Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kaye, Gary E. Mann
  • Patent number: 8696553
    Abstract: An automatic retractable syringe includes a tubular body on which a syringe opening is provided; a piston body in whose pressing portion a vent hole VA is formed and in whose shaft portion a vent passage passing from the vent hole VA through inside to the front end portion is formed; and a spring which returns the pressed piston body to its original position. When the pressing portion is pressed by a thumb or other finger plugging the vent hole VA to move the piston body forward, air is supplied from the syringe opening. Subsequently, when the thumb or other finger is released, air flows into the tubular body through the vent hole VA and the vent passage, and the piston body automatically returns to its original position by the spring. Therefore, air can be consecutively supplied by repeatedly pressing the pressing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Yamane
  • Publication number: 20140100425
    Abstract: A pressure compensation cap, system, and method for equalizing pressure in an endoscope while preventing a liquid from entering an interior of the endoscope through an opening. The cap is adapted to fit over an opening in the endoscope and includes a hole occluded by a filter. The filter is made with a material which allows certain gasses to pass through the cap into or out of the endoscope while preventing certain liquids from passing through at certain pressures and temperatures. The liquids, gasses, pressures, and temperatures may include those typically encountered when sterilizing an endoscope, those typically encountered during transport of an endoscope by air or otherwise, or those encountered at any time during the lifecycle of an endoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen Metras
  • Patent number: 8568303
    Abstract: In a suction valve in which a suction conduit is connected from a treatment instrument insertion channel through a branch portion so as to open/close this suction conduit, there is no passage between a side face of a valve-portion passage in the valve and a side face of a piston shaft, but only the valve-portion passage and an inner-shaft passage of the piston shaft are used, and their diameters d3 are made larger than a diameter d2 of the suction conduit. Also, the diameter d2 of the suction conduit is made larger than an inner diameter d1 of the treatment instrument insertion channel. As a result, a suction load when a solid substance, a substance with high viscosity or the like is suctioned is reduced, and clogging by the suctioned substances in a passage in the suction valve is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Yamane
  • Patent number: 8535220
    Abstract: A laparoscope lens cleaning system includes a housing that is configured to be connected to existing laparoscopes. The housing forms a lumen which carries a tube for dispensing cleaning solution. An extension system enables the tubing to be extended beyond the end of the laparoscope such that a hole or a plurality of holes in the extended tube end enables the dispensing of cleaning solution on the lens without requiring removal of the laparoscope from the patient. A pumping system is connected to the other end of the tubing and provides a cleaning solution reservoir and means for selectively dispensing the cleaning solution when required by the surgeon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Mondschein
  • Publication number: 20130225928
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a first instrument defining a first channel and a second instrument receivable by the first channel. The second instrument defines a second channel. A valve coupled to the first instrument controls fluid flow through the first channel, such that impedance of fluid flow through the first channel is substantially the same without the second instrument received in the first channel and with the first channel partially blocked by the second instrument. In another aspect, a surgical apparatus includes an outer member and an inner member received within the outer member to define a first channel therebetween. The inner member houses an optical lens and defines a second channel for receiving a surgical instrument. The first and second channels are configured such that a pump having an inflow rate of up to about 0.7 L/min connected to the second channel can maintain fluid pressure inside an organ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventor: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8491468
    Abstract: A tubular body has a vent hole VA and a suction opening. The piston body is in a state in which the inside of the tubular body in an enclosed space is divided into a front chamber and a rear chamber. The piston body includes piston portion which reciprocate in a position on its front end side from the suction opening, a shaft portion which supports this piston portion on its front end side and whose external diameter is smaller than the internal diameter of the tubular body and a pressing portion provided on a rear end side of this shaft portion. A vent passage is formed in the shaft portion so as to couple a vent hole VB of this pressing portion and a vent hole VC on its front end side of the shaft portion. Further, a spring is provided to return the pressed pressing portion to its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Yamane
  • Patent number: 8454499
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adaptor that is suitable for attachment to an endoscopic device for delivery of a secondary gas. The adaptor can comprise a substantially cylindrical body with a two, opposing closed ends, two fluid transport channels extending through the cylindrical body and opening at the closed ends, and an inlet port extending outward from the cylindrical body and being in fluid connection with one of the fluid transport channels. The adaptor may be used in endoscopy methods and is particularly useful for adding a secondary gas source in an endoscopy procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Cushner, Christopher R. Stebbins, Kenneth E. Wolcott
  • Patent number: 8454498
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adaptor that is suitable for attachment to an endoscopic device for delivery of a secondary gas. The adaptor generally comprises an adaptor body with first and second fluid transport components and can include a gas inlet on one of the fluid transport components suitable for attachment to a secondary gas source. A sealing member can be included to prevent leakage of any fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) that is transported through channels extending through the fluid transport components. The adaptor may be used in endoscopy methods and is particularly useful for adding a secondary gas source in an endoscopy procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Cushner, Kenneth W. Locke, Christopher R. Stebbins, Kenneth E. Wolcott
  • Patent number: 8435172
    Abstract: The present invention is an integrated and automated irrigation and aspiration system for use in an endoscopic imaging system. The system provides for the automated cleaning of poorly prepared patients during a colonoscopy procedure as well as automated cleaning of an imaging system of an endoscope. The invention analyzes images obtained from an image sensor to detect the presence of an obstructed field of view, whereupon a wash routine is initiated to remove the obstruction. The wash routine may be adjusted in accordance with environmental conditions within the patient that are sensed by one or more sensors within the endoscope. In another embodiment, insufflation is automatically controlled to inflate a patient's colon as a function of one or more sensor readings obtained from one or more environmental sensor(s) on the endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Banik, Lucien Alfred Couvillon, Jr., Anh Nguyen, William H. Stahley
  • Patent number: 8419626
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a first instrument defining a first channel and a second instrument receivable by the first channel. The second instrument defines a second channel. A valve coupled to the first instrument controls fluid flow through the first channel, such that impedance of fluid flow through the first channel is substantially the same without the second instrument received in the first channel and with the first channel partially blocked by the second instrument. In another aspect, a surgical apparatus includes an outer member and an inner member received within the outer member to define a first channel therebetween. The inner member houses an optical lens and defines a second channel for receiving a surgical instrument. The first and second channels are configured such that a pump having an inflow rate of up to about 0.7 L/min connected to the second channel can maintain fluid pressure inside an organ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Cemal Shener-Irmakoglu, Christopher R. Newell, Petter Hedstrom, Kenneth W. Krause
  • Patent number: 8414478
    Abstract: An endoscopic aspiration device is mounted on a manipulating head of an endoscope, from which an elongated insertion rod member is extended forward, the endoscopic aspiration device being composed of a valve casing which is mounted on the manipulation head in communication with an aspiration passage running through the insertion rod member, and a valve assembly unit including a valve member, a valve guide member and a connector member attached to the valve guide member to communicate same with a proximal aspiration passage on the side of a suction source. The valve member is put in a sliding displacement along the valve guide member to bring the aspiration passage into and out of communication with the proximal aspiration passage on the side of a suction source. The valve guide member is coupled with the valve casing through a coupling mechanism which permits to turn the valve assembly unit on and relative to the manipulating head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Yamane
  • Patent number: 8409080
    Abstract: Systems and methods permit remote endoscope handle manipulation. This can include a control housing configured to removably attach to an endoscope. A manipulator, associated with the housing, can be configured to engage with a control device of the endoscope with the endoscope attached to the housing. An actuator, drivingly coupled with the manipulator, can be configured to move the manipulator to operate the control device with the endoscope attached to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Andrew A. Gumbs, Luca Milone
  • Patent number: 8403834
    Abstract: The inside of a cylindrical body is divided into two parts, that is, a first and a second chamber, and in a piston body, a first ventilation hole and a first ventilation path of a pushing portion are formed so as to communicate with the first chamber and a second ventilation hole and a second ventilation path of the pushing portion are formed to communicate with the second chamber, and a spring for returning the piston body to its original position is provided. By pressing the pushing portion while closing the first ventilation port so as to advance the piston body, air is supplied through a syringe port on the first chamber, while by pressing the pushing portion while closing the second ventilation port, air is supplied through the syringe port on the second chamber, and by releasing the pushing operation, the piston body automatically returns to the original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Yamane
  • Patent number: 8388521
    Abstract: Endoscope assemblies, biopsy caps, and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscope assembly may include an endoscope having a channel formed therein and a port that provides access to the channel. A cap may be coupled to the port. The cap may include a base and an outer shell. A locking member may be coupled to the outer shell. An inner seal member may be disposed within the outer shell. One or more openings may extend through the cap and into the channel. An actuator may be coupled to the base for shifting the inner seal member between an unsealed configuration and a sealed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ransom H. Byers, Alexander E. Dillon, Thomas C. Kochem, Daniel W. Rice, Allison L. Schmidt, James M. Weldon, Gary A. Jordan, Christopher S. Mauhar
  • Patent number: 8388522
    Abstract: An endoscope system having a two-stage depression button provided in an operation portion of an endoscope; a first switch changing from off to on by a first stage depressing operation of the depression button and maintaining the on state after the first stage; a second switch changing from off to on by a second stage depressing operation of the depression button; and a control unit controlling to provide an air feeding function when the first switch is on and provide a water feeding function without providing the air feeding function regardless of a state of the first switch when the second switch is on, the control unit controlling to provide the air feeding function with a delay of a predetermined time period so long as the first switch does not change from on to off within the predetermined time period when the first switch changes from off to on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kakuto, Mitsuhiro Ito, Seiichi Ito