Adapter for attaching devices to endoscopes
First Claim
1. An adapter for attaching devices to the distal end of an endoscopic instrument, the adapter comprising distal stop means to limit the penetration of said endoscopic instrument into said adapter;
- wherein the adapter is constructed so that the central axis of said adapter and the center axis of said endoscopic instrument are not concentric when said adapter is mounted on said instrument.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved system for attaching devices to the distal end of endoscopic instruments is described. An attachment adapter comprises a distal stop, such as a complete or partial loop or cylinder, which limits the penetration of an endoscope into the adapter. The adapter has at least one flange protruding proximally along the endoscope. The adapter is secured on the endoscope by a securing means, which compresses the flange or flanges sufficiently to provide a friction fit. The flexibility of the inventive adapter system allows the adapter to work reliably with endoscopes that are used, damaged or repaired. The adapter may further provide a slit or window allowing viewing of the vessel wall by a lens on an endoscope, thereby improving the operator'"'"'s ability to understand the location of the endoscope during operation. The adapter may carry any of a variety of devices, including devices for closing a surgical incision, or treating or manipulating tissue. Improvements are described in a number of areas to allow more flexible pairing of particular endoscopes or endoscopic instruments with devices to be carried on their exteriors, while maintaining a tightly locked position of the external device on the carrier.
115 Citations
43 Claims
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1. An adapter for attaching devices to the distal end of an endoscopic instrument, the adapter comprising distal stop means to limit the penetration of said endoscopic instrument into said adapter;
- wherein the adapter is constructed so that the central axis of said adapter and the center axis of said endoscopic instrument are not concentric when said adapter is mounted on said instrument.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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28. An adapter for attaching devices to the distal end of an endoscopic instrument, the adapter comprising:
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a distal stop means to limit the penetration of said endoscopic instrument into said adapter; at least one flange projecting axially from said distal stop means; and a securing means for locking said adapter on to said endoscope;
wherein said flange comprises a non closed cross-section portion of a generally hollow cylinder,
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29. An adapter for attaching devices to the distal end of an endoscopic instrument, the adapter comprising:
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a distal stop means to limit the penetration of said endoscopic instrument into said adapter; at least one flange projecting axially from said distal stop means; a securing means for locking said adapter on to said endoscope; and an attachment means for engaging the securing means, said attachment means located proximal from said distal stop means.
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30. A method of conveying a device to a remote location in the body using an endoscopic device, the method comprising:
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providing an adapter for attaching a device to be transported to an endoscope, said adapter consisting essentially of a terminal stop, a flange, means for attaching a device to said adapter, a means for discharging said device from said adapter and means for attaching said adapter to an endoscope; attaching a device to be transported to said adapter; attaching said adapter to said endoscopic instrument; and
delivering said device to said remote location using said endoscope. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of manufacturing an adapter, said adapter consisting essentially of a terminal stop, a flange, means for attaching a device to said adapter, and means for attaching said adapter to an endoscopic instrument;
the method of manufacturing selected from one or more of injection molding, insert molding, multi-material molding, casting, mechanical assembly of discrete function components and sub assemblies, bonded assembly of discrete function components and sub assemblies, fused assembly of discrete function components and sub assemblies or any combinations thereof. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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43. An adapter for attaching devices for dispensing tissue fasteners to the distal end of an endoscopic instrument, the adapter comprising:
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a distal stop means to limit the penetration of said endoscopic instrument into said adapter; at least one flange projecting axially from said distal stop means; a securing means for locking said adapter on to said endoscope; and wherein said adapter carries a deployment assembly activated by actuating means operated from outside the patient by a wire sheath connected to a pusher, wherein said pushing said pusher into said deployment assembly pushes a tissue-affixing clip out of said assembly.
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Specification