Disposable surgical instrument
First Claim
1. An endoscope comprising at least one lens mounting element for supporting at least one lens assembly of the endoscope, said lens mounting element being fabricated with a readily degrading polymeric material deforming in a sterilization medium, thereby disabling the endoscope from further use.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument includes at least one member fabricated with a material which is capable of deforming in the presence of a deforming agent such as water, organic solvent, air, heat, light, etc. Thus, a disposable surgical endoscope is provided wherein a lens mounting element for aligning a lens assembly of the endoscope with the other optical components of the instrument is fabricated from a polymer which deforms when exposed to, e.g., water or organic solvents. Deformation of the lens mounting element causes the lens assembly to shift out of optical alignment with the other optical components of the device, thereby disabling the instrument.
124 Citations
20 Claims
- 1. An endoscope comprising at least one lens mounting element for supporting at least one lens assembly of the endoscope, said lens mounting element being fabricated with a readily degrading polymeric material deforming in a sterilization medium, thereby disabling the endoscope from further use.
- 15. An endoscope comprising an optical transmission system for conveying images to an eyepiece, at least a portion of the optical transmission system fabricated with a readily degrading polymeric material deforming in a sterilization medium, thereby disabling the endoscope from further use.
Specification