Calculus crushing apparatus
First Claim
1. A crushing apparatus for crushing a calculus produced in a body cavity, comprising:
- a flexible sheath having a proximal end and a distal end and including a rigid portion at the distal end and adapted to be inserted into the body cavity;
an operating wire longer than the sheath and slidably inserted into the sheath and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;
a collapsible basket for seizing the calculus, said basket including a plurality of elastic wires coupled to the distal end portion of the operating wire and extending from the distal end of the sheath;
a body removably connected to the proximal end of the sheath;
a rack slidably arranged in the body and coupled to the proximal end portion of the operating wire, to be slidable together with the operating wire;
and first and second operating means for selectively sliding said rack and thereby sliding said operating wire relative to said sheath so as to expand or contract said basket;
said first operating means including a handle grip portion connected to said rack and extending outwardly from the body for sliding said rack directly by hand;
said second operating means including an operating handle mounted on said body so as to be freely rotatable with respect to and unobstructed by said body, and also including a speed reduction and force amplifying mechanism including a plurality of meshing gears of different sizes interposed between said operating handle and said rack such that a rotary speed and a rotary force applied to said operating handle are transmitted to said rack and thereby to said operating wire as a reduced speed and an amplified force, respectively.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A crushing apparatus has a flexible sheath which is adapted to be inserted into a body cavity with the aid of an endoscope. An operating wire longer than the sheath is slidably inserted into the sheath. A collapsible basket for seizing a calculus produced in a body cavity is coupled to the distal end of the operation wire and extends from the sheath. The proximal end of the sheath is connected to an operating section for sliding the operating wire to extend or contract the basket. The operating section includes a rack coupled to the operating wire and an operating handle connected to the rack through a speed reduction mechanism. The reduction mechanism decelerates and transmits an operative force, which is supplied to the handle, to the rack, thereby sliding the operating wire.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A crushing apparatus for crushing a calculus produced in a body cavity, comprising:
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a flexible sheath having a proximal end and a distal end and including a rigid portion at the distal end and adapted to be inserted into the body cavity; an operating wire longer than the sheath and slidably inserted into the sheath and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; a collapsible basket for seizing the calculus, said basket including a plurality of elastic wires coupled to the distal end portion of the operating wire and extending from the distal end of the sheath; a body removably connected to the proximal end of the sheath; a rack slidably arranged in the body and coupled to the proximal end portion of the operating wire, to be slidable together with the operating wire; and first and second operating means for selectively sliding said rack and thereby sliding said operating wire relative to said sheath so as to expand or contract said basket; said first operating means including a handle grip portion connected to said rack and extending outwardly from the body for sliding said rack directly by hand; said second operating means including an operating handle mounted on said body so as to be freely rotatable with respect to and unobstructed by said body, and also including a speed reduction and force amplifying mechanism including a plurality of meshing gears of different sizes interposed between said operating handle and said rack such that a rotary speed and a rotary force applied to said operating handle are transmitted to said rack and thereby to said operating wire as a reduced speed and an amplified force, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (2, 5, 6, 7)
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- 3. A crushing apparatus according to calim 1, wherein said operating means includes coupling means for removably coupling said operating wire to said rack.
Specification