Endoscopic instruments having low friction sheath
First Claim
1. An endoscopic instrument comprising:
- a) a cylindrical member having a proximal end and a distal end;
b) at least one end effector coupled to said distal end of said cylindrical member;
c) handle means coupled to said proximal end of said cylindrical member; and
d) a polyethylene sheath covering substantially all of said cylindrical member between said proximal and distal ends.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A low friction sheath for endoscopic instruments is made from an extrusion grade of high density polyethylene (HDPE). The sheath is formed as an extruded polyethylene tube having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the instrument it will cover. In order to place the sheath over the instrument, a containment sleeve is placed over the sheath and a source of pressurized gas is coupled to one end of the sheath. The endoscopic instrument tube is sealed and inserted into the other end of the sheath. The polyethylene sheath is filled with gas so that it expands against the containment sleeve and the endoscopic instrument tube is pushed into the expanded polyethylene sheath. The gas is released from the polyethylene sheath and it contracts against the outer surface of the endoscopic instrument tube. The sheath is preferably made from a HDPE having a microfractured surface with 10-20 micron fractures.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An endoscopic instrument comprising:
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a) a cylindrical member having a proximal end and a distal end; b) at least one end effector coupled to said distal end of said cylindrical member; c) handle means coupled to said proximal end of said cylindrical member; and d) a polyethylene sheath covering substantially all of said cylindrical member between said proximal and distal ends. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An endoscopic instrument, comprising:
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a) a cylindrical member having a proximal end and a distal end; b) at least one end effector coupled to said distal end of said cylindrical member; c) handle means coupled to said proximal end of said cylindrical member; and d) a plastic sheath covering at least a portion of said cylindrical member between said proximal and distal ends, said plastic sheath having a microfractured outer surface, wherein said plastic sheath having a microfractured outer surface causes said endoscopic instrument to be more lubricious when passing through an endoscope than a similar endoscopic instrument covered with a fluorethylene polymer sheath. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification