Endoscopic working channel and method of making same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An endoscopic working channel capable of retrofit into a pre-existing endoscope, comprising:
- a) an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tubular member having a microporous microstructure and having first and second opposing ends, an intermediate section and luminal and abluminal wall surfaces thereof;
b) an elastomer impregnated into the microporous microstructure of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tubular member;
c) a first elastomer layer circumferentially provided on at least a substantial longitudinal extent of the the ablumenal wall suface of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tubular member;
d) a circumferential support positioned about the first elastomer layer; and
e) at least one additional elastomer layer provided about and covering the circumferential support.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) flexible and bendable working channel section which is circumferentially reinforced against kinking and which is adapted to be insertable, in-line, with the rigid section of the endoscopic working channel.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An endoscopic working channel capable of retrofit into a pre-existing endoscope, comprising:
-
a) an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tubular member having a microporous microstructure and having first and second opposing ends, an intermediate section and luminal and abluminal wall surfaces thereof; b) an elastomer impregnated into the microporous microstructure of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tubular member; c) a first elastomer layer circumferentially provided on at least a substantial longitudinal extent of the the ablumenal wall suface of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tubular member; d) a circumferential support positioned about the first elastomer layer; and e) at least one additional elastomer layer provided about and covering the circumferential support. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An endoscopic working channel capable of retrofit into a pre-existing endoscope, comprising:
-
a) a polytetrafluoroethylene tubular member having a microporous microstructure and having first and second opposing ends, an intermediate section and luminal and abluminal wall surfaces thereof; b) a first polyurethane elastomer layer circumferentially provided on at least a substantial longitudinal extent of the abluminal wall surface of the polytetrafluoroethylene tubular member; c) at least one flat ribbon wire member circumferentially positioned about the first elastomer layer and extending about at least a substantial longitudinal extent of the polytetrafluoroethylene tubular member; and d) at least one additional polyurethane elastomer layer provided about and covering the circumferential support. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification