Forceps plug for endoscopes

• US 4,809,679 A
• Filed: 10/13/1987
• Issued: 03/07/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakamura, Ichiro, Shimonaka, Kideki
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US07/107,946
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 128/4, 128/3, 128/5, 128/6, 604/167, 604/197, 604/198, 604/202, 604/215, 604/236, 604/237, 604/238, 604/256, 604/415
• US Class Current: 600/154
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00137 End pieces at either end of the endoscope, e.g. caps, seals or forceps plugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0063 Means for alignment of the septum, e.g. septum rim with alignment holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0072 Means for increasing tightness of the septum, e.g. compression rings, special materials, special constructions
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0633 the seal being a passive seal made of a resilient material with or without an opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/066 Septum-like element
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0686 comprising more than one seal
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0606 without means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence

Abstract

A forceps plug for endoscopes comprises energizing means for partly pressing only the center on an outer peripheral portion of an elastic plug body which portion corresponds to a slit provided in the latter and is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the slit, in a direction to close the slit and for extending the slit in it longitudinal direction.

Claims

1. A forceps plug for endoscopes comprising an elastic plug body provided with a slit therein for inserting and withdrawing medical treatment instruments, fluid feeding pipes and the like, said plug body being fitted into a forceps plug holding frame provided on an endoscope operation body for forming an opening for insertion and withdrawal of the instruments so as to retain a seal of the opening, characterized in that energizing means for urgingly pressing said slit only at a slit portion located in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto in a direction to close said slit is provided on an outer peripheral portion of said plug body corresponding to said slit.

2. A forceps plug for endoscopes according to claim 1 in which said energizing means comprises a projection of a smaller width than the length of said slit provided at a position in a direction substantially perpendicular to the slit on the outer periphery of said elastic plug body and an inner surface of said forceps plug holding frame for pressing said projection.

3. A forceps plug for endoscopes according to claim 1 in which said energizing means comprises a projection provided on the inner surface of said forceps plug holding frame at a position in a direction substantially perpendicular to said slit of said elastic plug body and the outer periphery of the elastic plug body which is pressed by said projection.

4. A forceps plug for endoscopes according to claim 1 in which said energizing means is provided with a cavity formed between the outer periphery corresponding to the slit of said elastic plug body and the inner surface of said holding frame into which said elastic plug body is fitted, with the exception of a portion being pressed in the elastic plug body, for allowing deformation outwardly of the elastic plug body.

5. A forceps plug for endoscopes according to claim 1 in which the energizing means also presses said elastic plug body in a direction to extend said slit in its longitudinal direction.

6. A forceps plug for endoscopes according to claim 5 in which said energizing means for extending said slit comprises a pair of notched portions provided at symmetrical positions on a flange formed on the upper outer peripheral edge of said plug body in a direction of said slit and projections formed on the upper end surface of said plug holding frame of a cylindrical form, said projection having a width slightly larger than that of said notched portion so as to be pressed into the latter.

7. A forceps plug for endoscopes according to claim 5 in which said energizing means for extending said slit comprises an elastic plug body in a short tube body which is in an elliptical form in a plan view and which is provided with a fitting opening on the lower surface thereof, said plug body having a slit in a direction of the short axis in an elliptic recess of the upper central portion thereof, and a forceps plug holding frame of a cylindrical body having a slightly larger diameter than that of said plug body in its short axis direction so as to press said plug body against the outer periphery of the holding frame by allowing said plug body to deform.