Endoscope connector cover detection and warning system
First Claim
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1. An endoscope assembly, comprising:
- a handle;
a connector for connecting the endoscope assembly to an endoscope control unit, the connector including a fixed end fixed to the handle, and a free end opposite the fixed end, the free end being configured to be received in and entirely withdrawn from the endoscope control unit; and
a warning system for indicating an absence of a connector cover, the connector cover being adapted to cover said free end of the connector, when said connector is not connected to the endoscope control unit, the warning system comprising;
an alarm unit configured to emit at least one of light and sound from the free end of the connector,a power source in the free end of the connector for powering the alarm unit, anda detection system in the free end of the connector for detecting said absence of the connector cover on top of said free end of the connector, and activating the alarm unit if the connector cover is absent from said free end of the connector, wherein the alarm unit, power source, and detection system are positioned within the free end of the connector.
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Abstract
In an embodiment, the present specification is an alarm/warning system for notifying a user cleaning an endoscope that the main connector/electrical connector of endoscope has not been covered by a connector cover. The warning system indicates an absence of a connector cover cup when the connector of the endoscope is not connected to a main control unit.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An endoscope assembly, comprising:
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a handle; a connector for connecting the endoscope assembly to an endoscope control unit, the connector including a fixed end fixed to the handle, and a free end opposite the fixed end, the free end being configured to be received in and entirely withdrawn from the endoscope control unit; and a warning system for indicating an absence of a connector cover, the connector cover being adapted to cover said free end of the connector, when said connector is not connected to the endoscope control unit, the warning system comprising; an alarm unit configured to emit at least one of light and sound from the free end of the connector, a power source in the free end of the connector for powering the alarm unit, and a detection system in the free end of the connector for detecting said absence of the connector cover on top of said free end of the connector, and activating the alarm unit if the connector cover is absent from said free end of the connector, wherein the alarm unit, power source, and detection system are positioned within the free end of the connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An endoscope system, comprising:
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a control unit; an endoscope assembly; a connector for connecting the endoscope assembly to the control unit, the connector including a cable, wherein the cable has a fixed end on the endoscope assembly, and a free end opposite the fixed end, wherein the free end of the connector is configured to be received by the control unit to couple the endoscope assembly to the control unit, and withdrawn from the control unit; a connector cover adapted to cover the free end of the connector, thereby blocking receipt of the free end of the connector by the control unit; a detection system, positioned within said free end of the connector, to generate a signal indicative of a presence or absence of the connector cover on said free end of the connector while said free end of the connector is not received by the control unit; and a notification system, positioned within said free end of the connector, to receive and process said signal generated by the detection system and, based on said signal, activate or deactivate an alarm to communicate a presence or absence of said connector cover on the free end of the connector. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An endoscope system comprising:
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a connector for connecting an endoscope assembly to a main control unit of endoscope, the connector including a fixed end at the endoscope assembly, and a free end opposite the fixed end; a connector cover to encompass at least a portion of said free end of the connector when said free end of the connector is not connected to said main control unit, the connector cover blocking connection of the free end of the connector to the main control unit when the connector cover encompasses at least the portion of the free end of the connector; an alarm system, positioned within said free end of the connector, to indicate an absence of said connector cover over said free end of the connector; and the main control unit comprising a regulator to control said alarm system when said free end of the connector is connected with the main control unit. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification