Ureteroscope
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument for the human body comprising an elongated, substantially straight, substantially rigid sheath of one piece construction having distal and proximal ends and having a longitudinal passage therethrough, said sheath comprising an elongated main portion extending from the proximal end of said sheath which is dimensioned for insertion into a patient so that it extends through the urethra into the bladder of said patient, and an elongated reduced terminal portion of rigid construction and substantially uniform sectional dimension at the distal end of said sheath communicating with said main portion and dimensioned to be received through the bladder wall and a distance into the ureter of said patient, said sheath having a substantially smooth, continuous circumferential outer surface which extends from a point in said main portion to said distal end, said passage extending through said terminal portion to said distal end, and telescope means received in said passage operable from a point adjacent the proximal end of said sheath for providing visual communication with the area adjacent the distal end thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A ureteroscope for carrying out surgical procedures in the lower ureter area under direct visual control. The ureteroscope includes a sheath having a main portion which is dimensioned to be received in the urethra so that it extends into the urinary bladder, a tapered portion which extends from the main portion and a terminal portion which is dimensioned to be received in the ureter. The ureteroscope also includes a telescope assembly which extends through the sheath and is operable for viewing the area of the ureter adjacent the distal end of the sheath. Remotely operable jaws are provided in one embodiment of the device for retrieving stones and the like, and another embodiment is constructed for use in combination with a variety of appliances for carrying out various surgical procedures in the ureter.
265 Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A surgical instrument for the human body comprising an elongated, substantially straight, substantially rigid sheath of one piece construction having distal and proximal ends and having a longitudinal passage therethrough, said sheath comprising an elongated main portion extending from the proximal end of said sheath which is dimensioned for insertion into a patient so that it extends through the urethra into the bladder of said patient, and an elongated reduced terminal portion of rigid construction and substantially uniform sectional dimension at the distal end of said sheath communicating with said main portion and dimensioned to be received through the bladder wall and a distance into the ureter of said patient, said sheath having a substantially smooth, continuous circumferential outer surface which extends from a point in said main portion to said distal end, said passage extending through said terminal portion to said distal end, and telescope means received in said passage operable from a point adjacent the proximal end of said sheath for providing visual communication with the area adjacent the distal end thereof.
Specification