Hygiene protection for endoscopes
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscope provided with hygiene protection includes a cover, which is closed at its distal end and which is transparent for optical information, at least on the front side thereof, and which can be rolled thereon in the direction of the axis of the endoscope. The endoscope further includes one or more working channels extending in a parallel position in relation to the endoscope and terminating in an open manner on the distal end of the cover. The working channels are only connected to the distal end of the cover. There are also one or more vacuum channels having one or several openings, which terminate on the side facing away from the patient and are in addition to the one or more working channels. The working channels are positioned in between the outer side of the endoscope and the inner side of the cover. A method for adding hygiene protection to an endoscope, which includes the application of sub-atmospheric pressure between the endoscope and the cover, is also disclosed.
47 Citations
48 Claims
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1-28. -28. (canceled)
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29. An endoscope with hygiene protection, comprising:
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a cover closed at a distal end and transmissible for optical information, at least on a front face of said cover, and capable of being rolled in an axial direction of said endoscope;
at least one working channel extending parallel to said endoscope and terminating in an open mode at said distal end of said cover, said at least on working channel being connected only to said distal end of said cover and positioned between an outer side of said endoscope and an inside of said cover; and
,at least one vacuum channel, having at least one opening, and terminating at said inside of said cover. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method for attaching a hygiene protection system to an endoscope, said endoscope including:
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a cover closed at a distal end and transmissible for optical information via a window, at least on a front face of said cover, and capable of being rolled in an axial direction of said endoscope;
at least one working channel extending parallel to said endoscope and terminating in an open mode at said distal end of said cover, said at least on working channel being connected only to said distal end of said cover and positioned between an outer side of said endoscope and an inside of said cover; and
,at least one vacuum channel, having at least one opening, and terminating at said inside of said cover, said method comprising the steps of;
coating an inner side of said window at said distal end of said cover for producing optical contact between said window and an optical channel of said endoscope;
introducing a distal end of said endoscope into said cover, said cover being open at a proximal end and closed at said distal end thereof;
rolling said cover onto, or unfolding said cover with, an enclosure of said endoscope and said at least one working channel; and
,applying sub-atmospheric pressure to at least one said vacuum channel.
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48. A method for attaching a hygiene protection system to an endoscope, said endoscope including:
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a cover closed at a distal end and transmissible for optical information via a window, at least on a front face of said cover, and capable of being rolled in an axial direction of said endoscope;
at least one working channel extending parallel to said endoscope and terminating in an open mode at said distal end of said cover, said at least on working channel being connected only to said distal end of said cover and positioned between an outer side of said endoscope and an inside of said cover; and
,at least one vacuum channel, having at least one opening, and terminating at said inside of said cover, said method comprising the steps of;
coating an inner side of said window at said distal end of said cover for producing optical contact between said window and an optical channel of said endoscope;
introducing a distal end of said endoscope into said cover, said cover being open at a proximal end and closed at said distal end thereof;
fixing said at least one working channel at said distal end of said cover, said at least one working channel being positioned in depressions provided on an outer surface of said endoscope;
rolling said cover onto, or unfolding said cover with, an enclosure of said endoscope and said at least one working channel; and
,applying sub-atmospheric pressure to at least one said vacuum channel.
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Specification