Fluid seal for endoscope
First Claim
1. A seal for use in combination with an elongate device and an endoscope, the elongate device having a shaft having an axial slot therein, the endoscope having a proximal end and a working channel extending therethrough, the seal comprising:
- a body portion having a proximal end adapted for insertion of the elongate device, a distal end adapted for connection to the proximal end of the endoscope, and a wall defining a lumen extending therethrough adapted to receive the elongate device and to provide access to the working channel of the endoscope; and
at least one protrusion disposed in the lumen of the body portion, the protrusion extending radially inward from the wall to sealingly engage the axial slot.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscope seal that effectively inhibits the egress of fluids from the working channel of an endoscope when an elongate device having a non-circular shaft is disposed therein. The endoscope seal includes a body portion having a proximal end adapted for insertion of an elongate device such as a rapid exchange biliary catheter, a distal end adapted for connection to the proximal end of an endoscope, a lumen extending therethrough which is adapted to receive the elongate device and to provide access to the working channel of the endoscope, and a means for conforming to the non-circular shaft of the elongate device to inhibit the flow of fluid from the working channel of the endoscope. The conforming means may, for example, comprise one or more protrusions extending radially inward in the lumen of the body portion, a sealing material such as a surgical foam that is disposed in the lumen of the body portion, or a sealing mandrel. Whether a single protrusion, a plurality of protrusions, a sealing material or a sealing mandrel is utilized, the present invention provides endoscope seals that readily seal about elongate devices having either circular or non-circular profiles.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A seal for use in combination with an elongate device and an endoscope, the elongate device having a shaft having an axial slot therein, the endoscope having a proximal end and a working channel extending therethrough, the seal comprising:
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a body portion having a proximal end adapted for insertion of the elongate device, a distal end adapted for connection to the proximal end of the endoscope, and a wall defining a lumen extending therethrough adapted to receive the elongate device and to provide access to the working channel of the endoscope; and
at least one protrusion disposed in the lumen of the body portion, the protrusion extending radially inward from the wall to sealingly engage the axial slot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
a plug adapted to seal the proximal end of the body portion; and
a flexible arm extending from the body portion and connected to the plug.
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8. A seal as in claim 7, further comprising;
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an adapter ring for connection to the distal end of the body portion; and
a flexible arm extending from the body portion and connected to the adapter ring.
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9. A seal for use in combination with an elongate device and an endoscope, the elongate device having a non-circular proximal shaft comprising an axial slot therein, the endoscope having a proximal end and a working channel extending therethrough, the seal comprising:
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a body portion having a proximal end adapted for insertion of the elongate device, a distal end adapted for connection to the proximal end of the endoscope, and a lumen extending therethrough adapted to receive the shaft of the elongate device and to provide access to the working channel of the endoscope; and
a means for conforming to the non-circular shaft of the elongate device to inhibit the flow of fluid, the conforming means disposed in the lumen of the body portion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
a plug adapted to seal the proximal end of the body portion; and
a flexible arm extending from the body portion and connected to the plug.
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16. A seal as in claim 15, further comprising;
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an adapter ring for connection to the distal end of the body portion; and
a flexible arm extending from the body portion and connected to the adapter ring.
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17. An endoscopic system comprising:
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an endoscope having a proximal end and a working channel extending therethrough;
an elongate device having a non-circular proximal shaft having an axial slot therein disposed in the working channel of the endoscope; and
a seal including a body portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending therethrough, and a means, disposed in the lumen, for conforming to the non-circular shaft of the elongate device to inhibit the flow of fluid, wherein the distal end of the body is connected to the proximal end of the endoscope and the lumen receives the elongate device and provides access to the working channel of the endoscope. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
a plug adapted to seal the proximal end of the body portion; and
a flexible arm extending from the body portion and connected to the plug.
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24. An endoscopic system as in claim 23, further comprising;
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an adapter ring for connection to the distal end of the body portion; and
a flexible arm extending from the body portion and connected to the adapter ring.
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25. A seal for use in combination with an elongate device, an endoscope, and a compression mechanism, the elongate device having a shaft having an axial slot therein, the endoscope having a proximal end and a working channel extending therethrough, the seal comprising:
a body portion having a proximal end adapted for insertion of the elongate device, a distal end adapted for connection to the proximal end of the endoscope, and a variable diameter wall defining a variable diameter lumen extending therethrough adapted to receive the elongate device and to provide access to the working channel of the endoscope wherein the compression mechanism is disposed about the body portion for compressing the variable diameter wall to thereby vary the diameter of the lumen extending therethrough and seal about the shaft.
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26. A seal for use in combination with an elongate device and an endoscope, the elongate device having a shaft with a slot extending therethrough, the endoscope having a proximal end and a working channel extending therethrough, the seal comprising:
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a body portion having a proximal end adapted for insertion of the elongate device, a distal end adapted for connection to the proximal end of the endoscope, and a membrane having an aperture adapted to receive the shaft of the elongate device; and
a mandrel having a geometry conforming to the slot in the shaft, the mandrel disposed in the slot and the aperture such that a fluid seal is established thereby.
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27. A seal for use in combination with a primary device and a secondary device insertable in the primary device, the secondary device having a shaft having an axial slot therein, the primary device having a proximal end and a lumen extending therethrough, the seal comprising:
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a body portion having a proximal end adapted for insertion of the secondary device, a distal end adapted for connection to the proximal end of the primary device, and a wall defining a lumen extending therethrough adapted to receive the secondary device and to provide access to the lumen of the primary device; and
at least one protrusion disposed in the lumen of the body portion, the protrusion extending radially inward from the wall to sealingly engage the axial slot. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification