Endoscope with improved flexible insertion tube
First Claim
1. In a flexible endoscope having a flexible insertion tube comprising a tubular, biocompatible elastomeric outer covering thereabout which encloses an interior space, the improvement wherein the outer covering is vapor transmissive of oxidative sterilant vapors and wherein the insertion tube further comprises a vapor barrier, which is impermeable by and non-absorptive of oxidative sterilant vapors, between the outer covering and the interior space whereby vapor passing through the outer covering from an atmosphere thereabout is prevented from entering the interior space by the vapor barrier, and further whereby the vapor is thus prevented from interacting with substances within the interior space to produce agents harmful to the elastomeric covering.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a flexible endoscope having a flexible insertion tube comprising a tubular, biocompatible elastomeric outer covering thereabout which encloses an interior space, the improvement according to the present invention comprises a vapor barrier between the outer covering and the interior space. Thus, vapor, such as hydrogen peroxide or other sterilants, passing through the outer covering from an atmosphere thereabout is prevented from entering the interior space by the vapor barrier. Further, the vapor is thus prevented from interacting with substances, such as lubricants, within the interior space to produce agents harmful to the elastomeric covering.
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Citations
15 Claims
- 1. In a flexible endoscope having a flexible insertion tube comprising a tubular, biocompatible elastomeric outer covering thereabout which encloses an interior space, the improvement wherein the outer covering is vapor transmissive of oxidative sterilant vapors and wherein the insertion tube further comprises a vapor barrier, which is impermeable by and non-absorptive of oxidative sterilant vapors, between the outer covering and the interior space whereby vapor passing through the outer covering from an atmosphere thereabout is prevented from entering the interior space by the vapor barrier, and further whereby the vapor is thus prevented from interacting with substances within the interior space to produce agents harmful to the elastomeric covering.
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10. A method for protecting a biocompatible elastomeric coating on a flexible endoscope insertion tube from the effects of exposing the insertion tube to a sterilizing chemical vapor, the method comprising the steps of:
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enclosing an interior space of the insertion tube with a tubular, biocompatible elastomeric outer covering which is permeable to the sterilizing chemical vapor; exposing the insertion tube to the sterilizing chemical vapor; and placing a vapor barrier which is impermeable to and non-absorptive of the sterilizing chemical vapor between the outer covering and the interior space, thereby preventing any of the chemical vapor which passes through the outer covering from entering the interior space, whereby the chemical vapor is thus prevented from interacting with substances within the interior space to produce agents harmful to the elastomeric covering. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification